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Protein Researchers Win Nobel Prize In Chemistry

Posted by timothy on from the moving-the-bits-around dept.

nucal writes "The 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Rod MacKinnon and Peter Agree for their work on proteins that form ion and water channels in cell membranes. In particular, solving the structure of potassium channels was a major achievement, since this was the first multispan transmembrane protein structure to be solved by X-ray crystallography. There is also structural information on aquaporins (water channels) as well."

6 of 96 comments (clear)

  1. Drum Role Please by BrianGa · · Score: 3, Funny

    And the Nobel Prize goes to...Folding@Home!

  2. Off the beaten path by sssmashy · · Score: 5, Funny

    To MacKinnon, the physician-turned-electrophysiologist-turned-crysta llographer, "the fun really begins once you have the structure."

    Physician-->Electrophysiologist--->Crystallograp her-->Nobel Laureate.

    Bricklayer-->Bodybuilder-->Movie Star-->Governor of California.

    There's definitely something to be said for nonlinear career choices...

    1. Re:Off the beaten path by orthogonal · · Score: 2, Funny

      Physician-->Electrophysiologist-->Crystallograp her-->Nobel Laureate.

      Bricklayer-->Bodybuilder-->Movie Star-->Governor of California

      Bricklayer-->Bodybuilder-->Movie Star-->Crystal? O, grope her-->Governor of California

      In the fullness of time, it had to happen! Slashdot word breaking to combat page widening produces a sort of poetry, and a commentary on current events!

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  3. Re:In slashdot terms.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
    The potassium-ion channels are even cooler, because the 'operating system' (intracellular signalling) can turn them on and off when needed.

    You know, the first think that came to my mind when you posted this was "imagine a Beowulf cluster of cells". Then I realized a Beowulf cluster of cells would be.. well, me I guess.

  4. Hmmm... by disntrstd · · Score: 3, Funny

    Isn't "protein research" just a fancy Chemist term for pleasuring yourself in the lab?

  5. What to do with the $1.3 million? by cpopin · · Score: 3, Funny

    When asked what to do with the $1.3 million awarded, he answered (on NPR), "Since they couldn't get a hold of me and I found out second hand, I decided to buy a cell phone."

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