enzyme

Enzymes /ˈɛnzaɪmz/ are large biological molecules responsible for the thousands of chemical interconversions that sustain life.[1][2] They are highly selective catalysts, greatly accelerating both the rate and specificity of metabolic reactions, from the digestion of food to the synthesis of DNA. Most enzymes are proteins, although some catalytic RNA molecules have been identified. Enzymes adopt a specific three-dimensional structure, and may employ organic (e.g. biotin) and inorganic (e.g. magnesium ion) cofactors to assist in catalysis.

For more information about enzyme check the Wikipedia article here

ZME Science posts about enzyme

Cure for the hangover possibly found

Thu, Feb 21, 2013

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In a promising discovery for students and party aninals all over the world, a team of researchers led by UCLA engineers has identified a method for speeding up the body’s reaction to alcohol consumption – practically elimining the hangover. Researchers take their hangovers really seriously – in a paper published online Feb. 17 in the [...]

Scientists sober up mice with novel enzyme nano-parcels

Mon, Feb 18, 2013

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A team of international researchers from US and China have employed a novel method to link enzymes together and then encapsulate them in a polymer shell. This enables the enzymes to work sequentially in chemical reactions, just like in nature. To illustrate their enzyme batch, a group of mice were intoxicated with alcohol and then injected [...]

Genetic tweak makes plants produce enzyme-replacing drug

Wed, Sep 19, 2012

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Culturing mammalian cells is currently the only way to make some complex proteins used in certain drugs; but growing such cultures is an extremely difficult and delicate job, because they can harbor human pathogens and must therefore be kept under strict temperature conditions. It’s a difficult job, but it’s definitely worth it; take a look [...]

Scientists prove ‘immortal worms’ can regenerate indefinitely and stay forever young

Wed, Feb 29, 2012

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University of Nottingham scientists spurred a slew of debate in 2008 when they claimed their object of study, the planaria or “flatworm”, might actually be immortal, possessing an indefinite ability to regenerate its cells and thus practically never grow old. In fact, an important distinction must be made, it’s not that the flatworm never grows old that’s [...]

Enzyme allows mice to eat more, and gain less weight

Wed, Nov 16, 2011

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Scientists have genetically engineered mice able to express a certain enzyme, which allows for an increased metabolic rate. The lab mice infussed with this enzyme in their fat tissue were able to eat more, but gain far less weight than their naturally bred brethren. It’s generally acknowledged that obesity and inflammation cause insulin resistance, however [...]

Gamers solve decade old HIV puzzle in ten days

Tue, Sep 20, 2011

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Scientists from Washington University have been struggling for the past decade to decipher the complex structure of a enzyme that exhibits AIDS-like behavior, and which might hold a critical role in building a cure for the disease. Gamers playing spatial game Foldit have managed to collectively determine the enzyme’s structure in ten days. Puzzle by the [...]

How aging can be cured in the future – a scientist’s view

Tue, Jul 5, 2011

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If we’re to guide ourselves after Aubrey de Grey‘s telling, according to his predictions the first person who will live to see their 150th birthday has already been born, and as science advances along the decades at the current pace it does, he claims people born soon after the latter mentioned birthday will live to [...]

Increasing brain enzyme may slow Alzheimer’s

Wed, Feb 16, 2011

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The fight against Alzheimer’s is a harsh and rugged one, and despite numerous advancements, there still isn’t a definitive cure for the disease around – or a fail proof way to detect it in the early stages.. Still, if you can’t defeat it, it’s still better to slow it down a little, and that’s exactly [...]

New Enzyme Could Revolutionize Plastic Production

Sat, Nov 15, 2008

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Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA for short) is a thermoplastic and transparent plastic that’s called acrylic glass for short. In the not so distant future it could be made from natural products such as sugars, alcohols or fatty acids. This process is much more environmentally friendly than the process used now. PMMA is manufactured by polymerising methyl [...]

Major advance in computational chemistry: Designer Enzymes

Thu, Mar 20, 2008

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In what is a great leap for science, scientists from UCLA and the University of Washington have succeeded in creating “designer enzymes,” a major milestone in computational chemistry and protein engineering. The two groups were led by UCLA’s chemistry professor Kendall Houk and Washington’s biochemist David Baker. Designer enzymes will have applications for defense against [...]

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