Protein 'nanosprings' most resilient found in nature

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Atomic force microscope image of a protein nanospring reveals its coiled structure.
Atomic force microscope image of a protein nanospring reveals its coiled structure.

A component of many proteins has been found to constitute one of the most powerful and resilient molecular "springs" in nature, researchers have discovered. The engineers and biologists from Duke University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute say their discovery could lead to a new understanding of mechanical processes within the living cell. The discovery also could provide potent nanoscale "shock absorbers" or "gate-opening springs" in tiny nanomachines.


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