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Scientists use nanoparticles to discover diesease-causing proteins
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A complex molecule and snake venom may provide researchers with a more reliable method of diagnosing human diseases and developing new drugs.
 Purdue University researchers bind a complex nanomolecule, called a “dendrimer,” with a glowing identification tag delivered to specific proteins in living venom cells from a rattlesnake. They use snake venom cells because they have a very high concentration of proteins similar to some found in human blood, says biochemist Andy Tao, who heads the research team.
The scientists want to find a better way to determine the presence, concentration and function of proteins involved in disease processes. They also hope the new method will facilitate better, more efficient diagnosis in living cells and patients.
“The problem with the current method of using proteomics—protein profiling—is that we use very small sample amounts so sensitive that we can’t effectively use existing technologies to study them,” Tao says. “In addition, to study a specific protein and its function, we want to preserve its natural environment and see where two molecules meet and what the interaction is when they bind.”
The dendrimers carry one of the fluorescent labels to identify the presence or absence of a protein that can be developed for use as a disease indicator, or biomarker. Understanding how the proteins behave could help determine predisposition to heart disease and cancer and also be useful in diagnosis and drug development.
Photo Credit: Mike Kerper
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