Scientists obtain first direct observations of protein-synthesis mechanism

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This schematic diagram shows a ribosome moving along a strand of messenger RNA (in yellow) held by optical tweezers. Graphic by Laura Lancaster and Courtney Hodges.
This schematic diagram shows a ribosome moving along a strand of messenger RNA (in yellow) held by optical tweezers. Graphic by Laura Lancaster and Courtney Hodges.

Research by UC Santa Cruz molecular biologist Harry Noller and his collaborators has led to the first direct observations of the mechanism for protein synthesis in living cells. Their new findings on ribosomes, the protein-making molecular machines in all cells, are featured on the cover of the April 3, 2008, issue of the international science journal Nature.


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