501derful.org
A research team has made the first protein designed from scratch that works the way they predicted and is not found in nature. For proteins, how they fold and assume particular shapes is critical. Protein function in living things depends greatly on exactly how the structure shapes up. The ability to start from a desired shape outcome and then work back to a sequence of component molecules that will end up as desired is a new high in demonstrating an understanding of molecular mechanics. Big implications down the road: drugs, therapies, catalysts for organic processes and new kinds of proteins not found in nature.
So in short order we’ve seen whole genome synthesis and now protein design. Powerful tools.
First Artificial Protein synthesis
How can I find out more about this article. My goal is to artificially synthesize peptides from 3-200 amino acids for biological testing. Is this machine available commercially? Any information would be gratefully appreciated.
Sorry, Tom. I don’t know much about the machinery. But you might learn something from an article in today’s Technology Review. http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/18503/
They reference a company named Codon Devices.
“Installing one of those prefab, snap-together wood-flooring kits is a lot easier than shaping and sanding rough planks. Adapting a similar construction strategy, a biotech startup called Codon Devices, based in Cambridge, MA, aims to streamline genetic engineering. It makes made-to-order DNA strands, freeing scientists from the finicky work it takes to put together a complicated piece of DNA the old-fashioned way.”