Enzymes: Nature's Nanomachines

2001 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.J. Mantle
Keyword(s):  
Enzyme Kinetics ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Protein Crystallography ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
First Century ◽  
Nmr Studies ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Useful Knowledge ◽  
Mechanistic Biology

The development of enzyme kinetics, protein crystallography and NMR studies allows enzymecatalysed reactions to be described in terms of mechanistic chemistry, albeit applied to relatively enormous molecules. These nanomachines, which so inspired Drexler's Engines of Creation, have been working in biological systems for over three billion years and represent a useful knowledge base for our further understanding of mechanistic biology. They also provide a tantalizing glimpse into what may be the basis for novel technologies with industrial applications for the twenty-first century.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Dynamic Behavior of Well-defined Dithiomaleimide-functionalized Maltodextrins

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-89
Author(s):  
Francisco J. Hidalgo ◽  
Nathan A.P. Lorentz ◽  
TinTin B. Luu ◽  
Jonathan D. Tran ◽  
Praveen D. Wickremasinghe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
19F Nmr ◽  
Nmr Studies ◽  
Synthetic Pathway ◽  
End Groups ◽  
Sugar End

: Maltodextrins have an increasing number of biomedical and industrial applications due to their attractive physicochemical properties such as biodegradability and biocompatibility. Herein, we describe the development of a synthetic pathway and characterization of thiol-responsive maltodextrin conjugates with dithiomaleimide linkages. 19F NMR studies were also conducted to demonstrate the exchange dynamics of the dithiomaleimide-functionalized sugar end groups.

Lanthanide complexes of aminophosphonates as shift reagents for 7Li and 23Na NMR studies in biological systems

Biochimie ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 74 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 777-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Ramasamy ◽  
M.M.C.A. Castro ◽  
D.M. de Freitas ◽  
C.F.G.C. Geraldes
Keyword(s):  
Lanthanide Complexes ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Nmr Studies ◽  
Shift Reagents ◽  
23Na Nmr

NMR studies of ion binding in biological systems

1987 ◽  
Vol 19 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 83-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sture Forsén ◽  
Torbjörn Drakenberg ◽  
Håkan Wennerström
Keyword(s):  
Inorganic Compounds ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Ion Binding ◽  
Nmr Studies

Biological systems must have evolved in an interplay between a great many organic and inorganic compounds. As a result a considerable number of elements - estimates range between 25 and 30 - are essential for higher life forms such as animals and man (Underwood, 1977; Williams, 1983, 1984).

Exploitation of biotechnology in a large company

1989 ◽  
Vol 324 (1224) ◽  
pp. 599-611
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Toxic Action ◽  
Biological Products ◽  
Large Company ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
New Business

Almost from the outset, most large companies saw the ‘new biotechnology’ not as a new business but as a set of very powerful techniques that, in time, would radically improve the understanding of biological systems. This new knowledge was generally seen by them as enhancing the process of invention and not as a substitute for tried and tested ways of meeting clearly identified targets. As the knowledge base grows, so the big-company response to biotechnology becomes more positive. Within ICI, biotechnology is now integrated into five biobusinesses (Pharmaceuticals, Agrochemicals, Seeds, Diagnostics and Biological Products). Within the Central Toxicology Laboratory it also contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of toxic action of chemicals as part of assessing risk. ICI has entered two of these businesses (Seeds and Diagnostics) because it sees biotechnology making a major contribution to the profitability of each.

scholarly journals BIP4COVID19: Releasing impact measures for articles relevant to COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanasis Vergoulis ◽  
Ilias Kanellos ◽  
Serafeim Chatzopoulos ◽  
Danae Pla Karidi ◽  
Theodore Dalamagas
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Treatment Decisions ◽  
Web Interface ◽  
Scientific Impact ◽  
Related Literature ◽  
Useful Knowledge ◽  
Contemporary Research ◽  
Research Studies

AbstractSince the beginning of the 2019-20 coronavirus pandemic, a large number of relevant articles has been published or become available in preprint servers. These articles, along with earlier related literature, compose a valuable knowledge base affecting contemporary research studies, or even government actions to limit the spread of the disease and treatment decisions taken by physicians. However, the number of such articles is increasing at an intense rate making the exploration of the relevant literature and the identification of useful knowledge in it challenging. In this work, we describe BIP4COVID19, an open dataset compiled to facilitate the coronavirus-related literature exploration, by providing various indicators of scientific impact for the relevant articles. Finally, we provide a publicly accessible Web interface on top of our data, allowing the exploration of the publications based on the computed indicators.

scholarly journals A 21st Century perspective on the contributions of Michaelis to enzyme kinetics

2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-50
Author(s):  
Herbert Gutfreund
Keyword(s):  
World War I ◽  
Enzyme Kinetics ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Hydrogen Ions ◽  
Medical Studies ◽  
World War ◽  
Medical Work ◽  
Basic Physics ◽  
Paul Ehrlich

Leonor Michaelis (1875–1949) made some of the most important contributions to the application of physical chemistry to biological systems during the first half of the 20th Century. Like many young men interested in using basic physics and chemistry to study biomedical problems at that time, Michaelis was advised by no less a person than Paul Ehrlich to qualify in medicine to be able to earn a living. He followed that advice, and the work I am concerned with here was carried out after he completed his medical studies. For about 5 years before the outbreak of World War I, Michaelis's principal research interests centred on enzyme kinetics and the importance of hydrogen ions in biological systems. He carried out his basic research in clinical laboratories side by side with his medical work.

scholarly journals Systems Toxicology and the Chemical Effects in Biological Systems (CEBS) Knowledge Base

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Waters ◽  
Gary Boorman ◽  
Pierre Bushel ◽  
Michael Cunningham ◽  
Rick Irwin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Systems Toxicology ◽  
Chemical Effects

Living Machines

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony J. Prescott ◽  
Paul F. M. J. Verschure
Keyword(s):  
Biological Systems ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Living System ◽  
Living Systems ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Biological Component

Biomimetics is the development of novel technologies through the distillation of principles from the study of biological systems. Biohybrid systems are formed by at least one biological component—an already existing living system—and at least one artificial, newly engineered component. The development of either biomimetic or biohybrid systems requires a deep understanding of the operation of living systems, and the two fields are united under the theme of “living machines”—the idea that we can construct artifacts that not only mimic life but share some of the same fundamental principles. This chapter sets out the philosophy and history underlying this Living Machines approach and sets the scene for the remainder of this book.

Living machines

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Circuits ◽  
Biological Systems ◽  
Living System ◽  
Integrated Systems ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Living Tissues ◽  
Physical Capacities ◽  
Biological Component

Biomimetics is the development of novel technologies through the distillation of ideas from the study of biological systems. Biohybrids are formed through the combination of at least one biological component—an existing living system—and at least one artificial, newly engineered component. These two fields are united under the theme of Living Machines—the idea that we can construct artifacts that not only mimic life but also build on the same fundamental principles. The research described in this volume seeks to understand and emulate life’s ability to self-organize, metabolize, grow, and reproduce; to match the functions of living tissues and organs such as muscles, skin, eyes, ears, and neural circuits; to replicate cognitive and physical capacities such as perception, attention, locomotion, grasp, emotion, and consciousness; and to assemble all of these elements into integrated systems that can hold a technological mirror to life or that have the capacity to merge with it. We conclude with contributions from philosophers, ethicists, and futurists on the potential impacts of this remarkable research on society and on how we see ourselves.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document