Viruses help scientists battle pathogenic bacteria and improve water supply
Infectious bacteria received a taste of their own medicine from University of Missouri researchers who used viruses to infect and kill colonies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, common disease-causing bacteria. The viruses, known as bacteriophages, could be used to efficiently sanitize water treatment facilities and may aid in the fight against deadly antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Source: www.phys.org/www.elsevier.com/copyright)
Making a molecular micromap: Imaging the yeast 26S proteasome at near-atomic resolution
Biological systems are characterized by a form of molecular recycling and unneeded or damaged proteins biochemically marked for destruction undergo controlled degradation by having their peptide bonds broken by proteasomes. Recently, scientists at the Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Germany used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) single particle analysis and molecular dynamics techniques to map the Saccharomyces cerevisiae 26S proteasome. The researchers then used this map to build a near-atomic resolution structural model of the proteasome. The Max Planck team showed that cryo-electron microscopy allowed them to successfully model the 26S core complex where X-ray crystallography studies conducted over the past 20 years have not.
Single particle reconstruction of the S. cerevisiae 26S proteasome without imposed
symmetry (A–E), using a cryo-electron microscope.
Eye proteins have germ - Killing power
TEHRAN (FNA) - When it comes to germ-busting power, the eyes have it, according to a
discovery by researchers that could lead to new, inexpensive antimicrobial drugs.
Proteins in the eye can help to keep pathogens at bay, finds a new UC Berkeley study. A team of UC Berkeley vision scientists has found that small fragments of keratin proteins in the eye play a key role in warding off pathogens. The researchers also put synthetic versions of these keratin fragments to the test against an array of nasty pathogens. These synthetic molecules effectively zapped bacteria that can lead to flesh-eating disease and strep throat (Streptococcus pyogenes), diarrhoa (Escherichia coli), staph infections (Staphylococcus aureus) and cystic fibrosis lung infections (Pseudomonas aeruginosa).
Source: www.english.farsnews.com
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