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Novel method could improve the performance of proteins used therapeutically

Whitehead Institute scientists have developed a novel method using the enzyme sortase A to site-specifically modify proteins, increasing their potency, thermal stability, and metabolism. This technique can be applied to improve therapeutically important proteins such as interferon alpha 2 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 3.

SourceWhitehead Institute for Biomedical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 9, 2011

Building a better protein

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a targeted strategy to substantially increase the thermodynamic stability of nearly any protein while preserving its unique function. The design technique creates proteins that remain stable at temperatures 10 degrees Celsius higher than normal.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 23, 2009

A new wrinkle in evolution -- man-made proteins

Researchers at Arizona State University have evolved new proteins in a fraction of the time it took nature, providing new lessons on how to optimize proteins. The team used 'synthetic evolution' to improve protein stability and binding efficiency, discovering that subtle amino acid changes can significantly enhance function.

SourceArizona State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 22, 2007

Hydrogen bonds shown to play 'conserved' role in protein folding

Researchers at Duke University have shown that hydrogen bonds are crucial for protein folding and are highly conserved across different proteins. Their study found that deleting hydrogen bonds from proteins led to destabilization of the structure, supporting the importance of these bonds in protein folding.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2006