Biotech project Essay

Submitted By MajorMatau
Words: 651
Pages: 3

Bman 1110

First off, I picked this product firstly, because the title intruded me. Secondly, I liked, in biology, when they talked about protein molecules. Third, it popped up fairly quickly on Google.
So the title of this (on the internet) is “Pico-World of Molecular Bioscavengers, Mops and Sponges Being
Designed“ .This made me think something akin to “mops and sponges being designed for our bodies?
How does that work?” By Reading this article, I have found that a team of “Scientists have succeeded in creating a protein molecule that can be programmed to unite with three different steroids.” ()
These proteins, while not yet used in public, might eventually be able to “detect biomolecules found only in a specific disease state, such as an early-stage cancer. Other types of protein molecules might eventually be manufactured to treat an overdose or to block a poison. Remediation possibilities for these molecular workhorses could include trapping pollutants or capturing waste” ( ScienceDaily,).
“In designing their molecules, the team sought to replicate properties of a naturally occurring protein binding site . . . a receptive shape to accept the small molecule, and an orderly structure, prepared for occupancy. The exclusive, move-in ready set up reduces the energy penalty by preventing the protein from having to change shape to accept the small molecule. This is in contrast to a flexible site, which is more disordered in the absence of the small molecule and has to freeze into one state upon binding”
( ScienceDaily,). So in order to make these proteins use less energy, they decided to have them have a static shape, not a changing shape. Each protein is for a specific molecule.
“The scientific team overcame previously unsolved problems in building accurate . . . molecule interfaces. Earlier attempts struggled with discrepancies between the computer plans and the structures of the actual molecules.” ( ScienceDaily,).

Currently (previously to this) The only way to make specific small molecules is either making an animal immune to whatever target protein you want to immunize against, or to try to direct the evolution of cell proteins to strengthen their affinity for a small molecule.
“The researchers adapted a computational tool called Rosetta . . . to craft new proteins that would bind the steroid digoxigenin, which is related to the heart-disease medication digoxin. The drug can cause digestive problems, confusion, vision disturbances and heart beat irregularities. The difference between a helpful and a harmful dose is slight. At present patients receive antibodies directed at the molecule to correct excess amounts.” ( ScienceDaily,).
These scientists had to try to figure out the structures of a certain