Research Topic: Structural Biology

Exploring the potential of a bioassembler for protein crystallization in space

Scientists successfully grew high-quality protein crystals in space using an innovative magnetic bioassembler device. By taking advantage of the weightless environment aboard the International Space Station, they were able to grow protein crystals with excellent structural quality that matched or exceeded Earth-based methods. This breakthrough demonstrates that space-based protein crystallization could help scientists better understand protein structures and potentially accelerate drug development.

Read More »

If you cannot see it, is it still there? – Ensemble refinement of invisible protein segments

Scientists studying protein structures using X-ray crystallography often face a problem: flexible parts of proteins don’t show up clearly in their images and get left out of molecular models. This paper demonstrates a new technique called ensemble refinement that can visualize these ‘invisible’ flexible regions by creating multiple model versions simultaneously. Using a mushroom enzyme that produces psilocybin as an example, researchers show that this approach reveals how protein parts actually move and change shape, providing better understanding of how proteins function.

Read More »

A broadly conserved fungal chorismate mutase targets the plant shikimate pathway to regulate salicylic acid production and other secondary metabolites

Fungal pathogens produce proteins called effectors that help them infect plants. This study discovered that a fungus called Sclerotinia sclerotiorum produces an effector that enters plant cells and travels to chloroplasts. Unlike similar effectors in other fungi, this protein increases the production of salicylic acid, a plant defense hormone, while reducing other protective compounds. This creates conditions favorable for the fungus to establish infection.

Read More »
Scroll to Top