Category: chemistry

Protein sequencing remains a significant technological barrier in omics research

May 2, 2024

Since the advent of Sanger sequencing in the 1970s, DNA sequencing has revolutionized our understanding of the life sciences, and allowed us to glean new insights into the genetic underpinnings of many diseases and biological phenomena at the cellular level. But, there is relatively little traction in the area of protein sequencing. Currently, we still … More Protein sequencing remains a significant technological barrier in omics research

Gentle ionization for mass spectrometry preserves the molecular ion and aids in compound identification

April 9, 2024

About 20 years ago, a suite of gentle ionization techniques such as electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) are incorporated into commercial mass spectrometers, and revolutionized the way we detect and characterise the molecular ion. By molecular ion, we refer to the intact compound ion without any fragmentation. It can be seen … More Gentle ionization for mass spectrometry preserves the molecular ion and aids in compound identification

Enzymatic degradation of plastics may be limited by temperature and crystalline state of polymer

March 13, 2024

Recent research has confirmed the ability of microbes and their associated enzymes at degrading plastics such as PET. But, such degradation typically happens at an enhanced pace at elevated temperature, especially when the operating temperature is above the glass transition temperature of the plastic. In this way, the plastic would be in the amorphous (as … More Enzymatic degradation of plastics may be limited by temperature and crystalline state of polymer

Cytoplasmic content of cells should be overall charge neutral

March 7, 2024

Many proteins in cells are highly negatively charged. Does that mean that the cell cytoplasmic should also be negatively charged given the preponderance of proteins as part of the cell mass? The answer is no. This comes about due to the charge neutrality principle. Specifically, positive charges are neutralised by negative charges in the vicinity. … More Cytoplasmic content of cells should be overall charge neutral

MALDI matrix helps transfer laser energy to ionize the biomolecules for mass spectrometric detection

February 21, 2024

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) time of flight mass spectrometry is an established analytical technique for proteins, lipids, and biomolecules detection. But, there remains an “art” in this science technique. Specifically, scientists still do not have a thorough understanding of the ionization process in MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Such a situation leads to non-optimized protocols, … More MALDI matrix helps transfer laser energy to ionize the biomolecules for mass spectrometric detection

Simplified theory of magnetic resonance imaging

January 31, 2024

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has walked into mainstream medicine and benefited patients from around the world. Amongst the different medical imaging modalities, MRI is perhaps the most difficult to understand. This short writeup attempts to provide the reader with a simplified understanding of MRI medical imaging. In MRI, magnetic field is applied to align the … More Simplified theory of magnetic resonance imaging

Force fields provide a faster means for computational chemistry modelling compared to atomistic simulations

January 17, 2024

Experiments remain the dominant technique for understanding the properties of materials. But, there is an emerging trend in using computer simulations for achieving the same goal, particularly for materials in application environments that are hard or dangerous to experiment with. Such computational simulations could rely on either atomistic simulations or ones guided by force field. … More Force fields provide a faster means for computational chemistry modelling compared to atomistic simulations

Advanced Photon Source offers unique capabilities in “in operando” imaging and spectroscopy

January 2, 2024

X-ray synchrotron has been the mainstay of high energy X-ray science as it provides unique high energy beamlines able to capture nanometre scale phenomenon in high temporal resolution. However, the time resolution limit of high energy X-ray science is continuously being upgraded with advancement in electron storage techniques through better magnets and focussing capabilities. The … More Advanced Photon Source offers unique capabilities in “in operando” imaging and spectroscopy

Large amount of ATP is needed to propel DNA helicase to unwound bacterial genomic DNA

June 20, 2023

Isothermal amplification is one of the new trends in quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). This technology requires a DNA helicase to unwound double stranded genomic DNA. Typically, DNA helicase requires a source of energy such as ATP to move forward on the genomic DNA, and unwound the DNA. Given the long length of typical bacterial … More Large amount of ATP is needed to propel DNA helicase to unwound bacterial genomic DNA

Thermodynamics at the single molecule level governs the discrimination of correct nucleotide or amino acid during transcription or translation

April 10, 2023

Proof-reading is essential to maintaining the fidelity of our genome as well as safeguarding the biomolecules such as mRNA and proteins that underpins cellular processes. To afford proof-reading ability, RNA polymerases and ribosome uses thermodynamics at the molecular level to help ensure that the correct nucleotide or amino acid is added to the elongating biopolymer. … More Thermodynamics at the single molecule level governs the discrimination of correct nucleotide or amino acid during transcription or translation