{"id":596175,"date":"2023-01-10T09:59:57","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T15:59:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.sellorbuyhomefast.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/10\/princeton-chemists-create-quantum-dots-at-room-temperature-using-custom-protein\/"},"modified":"2023-01-10T09:59:57","modified_gmt":"2023-01-10T15:59:57","slug":"princeton-chemists-create-quantum-dots-at-room-temperature-using-custom-protein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2023\/01\/10\/princeton-chemists-create-quantum-dots-at-room-temperature-using-custom-protein\/","title":{"rendered":"Princeton Chemists Create Quantum Dots at Room Temperature Using Custom Protein"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Aqueous<\/p>\n

Professor Michael Hecht and his research group at Princeton have made a significant discovery in the field of chemistry by creating the first known de novo protein that catalyzes the synthesis of quantum dots. Quantum dots are nanocrystals with fluorescent properties that are used in a range of electronic applications, including LED screens and solar panels. This new method of creating quantum dots has the potential to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly than current methods, as it demonstrates that functional materials can be synthesized using protein sequences that are not derived from nature.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Researchers at Princeton\u2019s Department of Chemistry discovered the first known de novo protein that catalyzes, or drives, the synthesis of quantum dots.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nature uses 20 canonical amino acids<\/div>\n

<div class="cell text-container large-6 small-order-0 large-order-1">
\n<div class="text-wrapper"><br \/>Amino acids are a set of organic compounds used to build proteins. There are about 500 naturally occurring known amino acids, though only 20 appear in the genetic code. Proteins consist of one or more chains of amino acids called polypeptides. The sequence of the amino acid chain causes the polypeptide to fold into a shape that is biologically active. The amino acid sequences of proteins are encoded in the genes. Nine proteinogenic amino acids are called "essential" for humans because they cannot be produced from other compounds by the human body and so must be taken in as food.<br \/><\/div>
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” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{“attribute”:”data-cmtooltip”, “format”:”html”}]”>amino acids<\/span> as building blocks to make proteins, combining their sequences to create complex molecules that perform biological functions.<\/p>\n

But what happens with the sequences not<\/em> selected by nature? And what possibilities lie in constructing entirely new sequences to make novel, or de novo,<\/em> proteins bearing little resemblance to anything in nature?<\/p>\n

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\"Quantum<\/p>\n

An image of quantum dots taken under an electron microscope. These quantum dots were produced in the Hecht Lab using de novo proteins. Each of them is 2 nanometers in diameter, an important factor since particle size determines the color they glow, or fluoresce, in. Credit: Courtesy of the Hecht and Scholes labs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

That\u2019s the terrain where Michael Hecht, professor of chemistry, works with his research group. And recently, their curiosity for designing their own sequences paid off.<\/p>\n

They discovered the first known de novo<\/em> (newly created) protein that catalyzes, or drives, the synthesis of quantum dots. Quantum dots are fluorescent nanocrystals used in electronic applications from LED screens to solar panels.<\/p>\n

Their work opens the door to making nanomaterials in a more sustainable way by demonstrating that protein sequences not derived from nature can be used to synthesize functional materials \u2014 with pronounced benefits to the environment.<\/p>\n