Computer-Designed Proteins Recognize and Bind Small Molecules

vinces99 writes "Computer-designed proteins that can recognize and interact with small biological molecules are now a reality. Scientists have succeeded in creating a protein molecule that can be programmed to unite with three different steroids. The achievement could have far wider ranging applications in medicine and other fields, according to the Protein Design Institute at the University of Washington. 'This is a major step toward building proteins for use as biosensors or molecular sponges, or in synthetic biology — giving organisms new tools to perform a task,' said one of the lead researchers, Christine E. Tinberg, a UW postdoctoral fellow in biochemistry."

This can be the greatest breakthrough

[colordev]

What a clever idea! Instead of making small quite unnatural medicine molecules, how about making quite natural big medicine proteins that bind to various big and small natural targets.

Yes this may be the end of meaningful doping testing, but also the end of cancers and many auto-immune diseases.

Besides mad cow disease is already ancient history. What could possibly go wrong?

"Medicine and other fields": super poisons

[Anonymous Coward]

"Computer-designed proteins that can recognize and interact with small biological molecules are now a reality." very much reminds me of alpha-Amanitin [wikipedia.org], the super-potent poison of the death cap [wikipedia.org] responsible for the vast majority of mushroom related deaths.

In fact, many if not most potent poisons are of the "binds much stronger to some vitally important molecules/enzymes than what should go there" kind.

Re:This can be the greatest breakthrough

[Anonymous Coward]

The speed of light does not stop astronomers from studying space. Actually, we'd know much less about our universe if light did not have that speed limit. It functions as a sort of time machine, or at least a window back in time, that we wouldn't otherwise have that lets us see the universe as it was early in it's history. Things like the red shift of faraway galaxies can be correlated with distance and provide a sense of scale that would otherwise be much more difficult to get. The fact that light has a finite speed is a very good thing for astronomy.

Re:Recognize?

[drinkypoo]

Proteins can recognize biological molecules as much as people can recognize other people. Or do you think there's anything but biochemical reactions involved.

Nonsense and bollocks. Suggesting that proteins recognize biological molecules is like suggesting that Duplo blocks recognize Lego bricks or that baking soda recognizes vinegar.