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Some biological molecules can be left handed or right handed - the sugars that are found in nucleic acids are right handed, whereas 19 of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins are left handed. And intriguingly samples of amino acids found on meteorites such as those brought back from the OSIRIX-REx missing from Bennu were present in mixtures containing roughly equal amounts of the left and right handed versions. So why does biology on our planet favour left handed amino acids?
A team of researchers led by Professor Tom Richard at the University of Oxford have shown that lipid membranes that surround and protect our cells and importantly control which types of molecules can get in and out are more leaky to left hand amino acids.
This may suggest why left handed amino acids are the ones from which our proteins are constructed.
A link to Toms Paper:
https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3003155
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A team of researchers led by Professor Tom Richard at the University of Oxford have shown that lipid membranes that surround and protect our cells and importantly control which types of molecules can get in and out are more leaky to left hand amino acids.
This may suggest why left handed amino acids are the ones from which our proteins are constructed.
A link to Toms Paper:
https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3003155
Our sponsor for this episode is Grace and Garbo! Thank you.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GraceandGarbo
'At Grace and Garbo we are passionate about vintage knitwear. From classic fair isle, to one-of-a-kind artisan hand knits and vibrant mohair. Visit our Etsy store, Grace and Garbo, for our unique collection of vintage knitwear'
If you are a business and would like to take advantage and leverage the power of the fast growing podcast ad stream market, and in particular sponsoring 'Science Of The Times', please drop us a line - streamingspirespodcasts@gmail.com
Advertising via podcasts is a cost efficient way of reaching a wider market.
Creators and Guests
Host
Guest
Tom Richards
Tom’s research is concerned with the diversity and evolution of the eukaryotic form, especially microbial forms. Over 1.5 billion years ago the most important evolutionary transition in the history of life occurred, leading to complex/compartmentalized cellular forms -the eukaryotes. The aim of Tom’s research is to understand the evolution and diversification of this form.
What is Science Of The Times?
Do you want to learn a little more about topical science findings? Do many of the science stories you hear leave you with unanswered questions? Syma and Tim will discuss in non-technical language and in a fun and engaging style, recently published science findings. Guests will be authors of these papers and will include some of the world’s most exciting scientists who are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge. Covering, among other things, artificial intelligence, the search for alien life, the latest treatments for diseases, quantum computers, the science of football and topics requested by listeners, the half hour episodes will leave listeners feeling a little more knowledgeable about cutting-edge science and how scientists make discoveries.