June 8, 2017 Illustration of a carboxysome. Credit: Dr Luning Liu, University of Liverpool <\/p>\n
New research from the University of Liverpool, published in the journal Nanoscale, has probed the structure and material properties of protein machines in bacteria, which have the capacity to convert carbon dioxide into sugar through photosynthesis. <\/p>\n
Cyanobacteria are a phylum of bacteria that produce oxygen and energy during photosynthesis, similar to green plants. They are among the most abundant organisms in oceans and fresh water. Unique internal 'machines' in cyanobacteria, called carboxysomes, allow the organisms to convert carbon dioxide to sugar and provide impacts on global biomass production and our environment. <\/p>\n
Carboxysomes are nanoscale polyhedral structures that are made of several types of proteins and enzymes. So far, little is known about how these 'machines' are constructed and maintain their organisation to perform carbon fixation activity. <\/p>\n
Researchers from the University's Institute of Integrative Biology, led by Royal Society University Research Fellow Dr Luning Liu, examined in depth the native structure and mechanical stiffness of carboxysomes using advanced microscopes and biochemical approaches. <\/p>\n
For the first time, the researchers were able to biochemically purify active carboxysomes from cyanobacteria and characterize their carbon fixation activity and protein composition. They then used electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy to visualise the morphology and internal protein organization of these bacterial machines. <\/p>\n
Furthermore, the intrinsic mechanical properties of the three-dimensional structures were determined for the first time. Though structurally resembling polyhedral viruses, carboxysomes were revealed to be much softer and structurally flexible, which is correlated to their formation dynamics and regulation in bacteria. <\/p>\n
Dr Liu, said: \"It's exciting that we can make the first 'contact' with these nano-structures and understand how they are self-organised and shaped using state-of-the-art techniques available at the University. Our findings provide new clues about the relationship between the structure and functionality of native carboxysomes.\" <\/p>\n
The self-assembly and modularity features of carboxysomes make them interesting systems for nanoscientists, synthetic biologists and bioengineers, who hope to find ways to design new nanomaterials and nano-bioreactors. <\/p>\n
\"We're now just starting to understand how these bacterial machines are built and work in nature. Our long-term vision is to harness the knowledge to make further steps towards better design and engineering of bio-inspired machines,\" added Dr Liu, \"The knowledge and techniques can be extended to other biological machines.\" <\/p>\n
Explore further: Illuminating the inner 'machines' that give bacteria an energy boost <\/p>\n
More information: Matthew Faulkner et al, Direct characterization of the native structure and mechanics of cyanobacterial carboxysomes, Nanoscale (2017). DOI: 10.1039\/C7NR02524F<\/p>\n
Journal reference: Nanoscale <\/p>\n
Provided by: University of Liverpool <\/p>\n
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have tracked how microscopic organisms called cyanobacteria make use of internal protein 'machines' to boost their ability to convert carbon dioxide into sugar during photosynthesis. <\/p>\n
Cyanobacteria, found in just about every ecosystem on Earth, are one of the few bacteria that can create their own energy through photosynthesis and \"fix\" carbon from carbon dioxide molecules and convert it into fuel ... <\/p>\n
(Phys.org) A genetically engineered tobacco plant, developed with two genes from blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), holds promise for improving the yields of many food crops. <\/p>\n
(PhysOrg.com) -- Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. We hear this mantra time and again. When it comes to carbonthe \"Most Wanted\" element in terms of climate changenature has got reuse and recycle covered. However, it's up to us ... <\/p>\n
Researchers at Michigan State University have built a molecular Swiss Army knife that streamlines the molecular machinery of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, making biofuels and other green chemical production ... <\/p>\n
An international team of scientists led by Uppsala University has developed a high-throughput method of imaging biological particles using an X-ray laser. The images show projections of the carboxysome particle, a delicate ... <\/p>\n
New research from the University of Liverpool, published in the journal Nanoscale, has probed the structure and material properties of protein machines in bacteria, which have the capacity to convert carbon dioxide into sugar ... <\/p>\n
When oil mixes with or enters into water, conventional methods of cleaning the water and removing the oil can be challenging, expensive and environmentally risky. But researchers in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The ... <\/p>\n
The endothelial cells that line blood vessels are packed tightly to keep blood inside and flowing, but scientists at Rice University and their colleagues have discovered it may be possible to selectively open gaps in those ... <\/p>\n
Recent research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln may help future engineers of digital components get two (or more) for the space of one. <\/p>\n
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have created a nanoparticle that carries two different antibodies capable of simultaneously switching off cancer cells' defensive properties while switching on a robust anticancer immune response ... <\/p>\n
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new way to track dynamic molecular features in soft materials, including the high-frequency molecular vibrations that transmit ... <\/p>\n
Please sign in to add a comment. Registration is free, and takes less than a minute. Read more <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
See the article here:<\/p>\n
Nanotechnology reveals hidden depths of bacterial 'machines' - Phys.Org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" June 8, 2017 Illustration of a carboxysome. Credit: Dr Luning Liu, University of Liverpool New research from the University of Liverpool, published in the journal Nanoscale, has probed the structure and material properties of protein machines in bacteria, which have the capacity to convert carbon dioxide into sugar through photosynthesis. Continue reading