Nature's Timepiece Identified

Makarand writes "Nature's timepiece, a two-sided cylindrical protein that tells cells when to grow and when to rest, has been identified according to these reports on MSNBC and on Purdue News. The protein directs 12-minute growth and rest cycles in living cells. Scientists at Purdue were able to confirm its function by first identifying the gene that produces this protein and then altering the protein to produce cycles of between 22 and 42 minutes. This discovery promises new insight into cellular activity such as cholesterol synthesis, respiration, heart rhythms, response to drugs, sleep and alertness. We may be able to improve our of methods of minimzing jet-lag and correcting sleep disorders."

Comments

Where are mad scientists when you need them...

[Orne]

"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long... ...and you have burned so very, very brightly, Roy." -- Dr. Tyrell, Blade Runner

I'm missing something

[aztektum]

I don't want to sound like I'm trying to pick o a fight, but who cares about fixing jet lag? Isn't this a more about helping sick people get better? I didn't realize jet lag was such a detriment to society.

Unavailable for comment at the time

[Hubert_Shrump]

were Nature's wallet, suspenders, and sock garters.

Re:12 hours in a day?

[BCoates]

Also the reason we have 360 degrees in a circle despite the fact that radians make much more sense is because greek

"Drive 3 blocks north, then take the one-quarter pi radian turn right, and go another block."

Yeah, that's a real useful unit.

--
Benjamin Coates

Re:12 hours in a day?

[red5]

Well there are closer to 13 28 day months(moons) in a year. 13 x 24 = 364.

But then 13 is an unlucky number.

Reference to the paper

[mlush]

The links given don't actually supply the reference to the paper. Its in Biochemistry

Biochemical Basis for the Biological Clock Morre, D. J.; Chueh, P.-J.; Pletcher, J.; Tang, X.; Wu, L.-Y.; Morre, D. M.; Biochemistry ; (Accelerated Article); 2002; 41(40); 11941-11945.