DNA-binding proteins from volcanic lakes could improve disease diagnosis

 



Scientists have uncovered new DNA-binding proteins from some of the most extreme environments on Earth and shown that they can improve rapid medical tests for infectious diseases. The work has been published in Nucleic Acids Research. The international research team, led by Durham University and working with partners in Iceland, Norway and Poland, analyzed genetic material from Icelandic volcanic lakes and deep-sea vents more than two kilometers below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Nature is the world's largest source of useful enzymes, but many remain undiscovered. By using next-generation DNA sequencing, the researchers were able to search huge databases containing millions of potential proteins.

This approach allowed them to identify previously unknown proteins that bind to single-stranded DNA and remain stable under harsh conditions such as high temperatures, extreme pH or high salt levels.

The newly discovered proteins were carefully studied using a range of laboratory techniques. The team showed that they are unusually robust, with the high thermal stability needed for use in biotechnology and medicine.

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#VolcanicGenomics #DNABinding #MolecularBiology #DiseaseDiagnosis #GeneticTesting #Biotechnology

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