biotech
Novel Anti-freeze Proteins From Snow Fleas
Filed in archive Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics by ruth on October 25, 2005
BlogPicture

Researchers from Queen's University may have discovered a means to prolong the preservation period for organs for transplantation. Using a process called ice affinity purification, the researchers were able to isolate a novel antifreeze glycine-rich protein from snow fleas. The results of their study, are published in this week's issue of Science.

Researchers also claim that this novel anti-freeze protein (AFP) is better than previously discovered anti-freeze proteins found in moths and beetles:
"Unlike the antifreeze proteins in beetles and moths, AFPs in snow fleas break down and lose their structure at higher temperatures," explains Dr Davies, Canada Research Chair in Protein Engineering. "This means that if used to store organs for transplants, they will be cleared from a person's system very quickly, reducing the possibility of harmful antibodies forming."


Researchers also see other potential use of this novel protein:
As well as its potential for use in organ transplants, the researchers suggest it could help to increase frost resistance in plants, and inhibit crystallization in frozen foods.


Read more from Queen University's press release.

Permalink: Novel Anti-freeze Proteins From Snow Fleas
Tags: antifreeze  proteomics  biotech  anti  novel  novel+anti  snow+fleas  anti+freeze 
Trackback: http://publish.creative-weblogging.com/publish/mt-tb.pl/10549
img Addthis img Ask img Blinklist img del.icio.us img Digg img Fark img Facebook img Google img Lycos img Ma.gnolia Add this page to Mister Wong Mr Wong img Netscape img Netvousz img Newsvine img Reddit img StumbleUpon img Slashdot img Tailrank img Technorati img Wink img Yahoo

Vote for Novel Anti-freeze Proteins From Snow Fleas:

  • Currently 5.00/10
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
Rating: 5.00 out of 5 vote(s) cast.
Subscribe
Share It
Popular posts from our other blogs:
RSSrss
See all blog subscribe options
Google google
What is RSS?
Yahoo! yahoo
Addthis Subscribe using any feed reader!
Bloglines Bloglines
Newsletter

TwitterFollow us on Twitter!