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'Lego' Approach Thwarts Anthrax Toxin

NewScientist is reporting that scientists have discovered complex nanoscale structures that have successfully protected rats from anthrax. From the article: "The technique relies on using tiny 'peptide' molecules, stuck onto one large molecule, which bind to toxins and prevent them from causing damage. They do this in much the same way that two Lego bricks might fit together - with several studs from the binding molecule slotting into, and so blocking, the sites on a toxin molecule which are needed to cause damage."

5 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. Patent Violation by MLopat · · Score: 4, Funny

    Doesn't Lego have a patent on the whole block stacking concept? Looks like they're in for a legal battle on this one. :)

  2. Dang microscopic kids! by Itninja · · Score: 5, Funny

    All I know is, know one has truly known pain until they have been barefoot and stepped on one of these molecules.

    --
    I judt got a nre Kinesis keybiartf so please excusr ant egregiou typos.
  3. Re:Ho Hum... by kfg · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just wait until they patent it and come after your hemoglobin.

    KFG

  4. Surprise, surprise... by Spy+der+Mann · · Score: 4, Interesting

    stuck onto one large molecule, which bind to toxins and prevent them from causing damage.

    That's called an antibody.

  5. Like putting too many legos in a balloon! by the_tsi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Leela: I didn't want to leave them either Fry but what are we supposed to do?
    Fry: Well, usually on the show someone would come up with a complicated plan then explain it with a simple analogy.
    Leela: Hmm. If we can reroute engine power through the primary weapons and reconfigure them to Melllvar's frequency that should overload his electro-quantum structure.
    Bender: Like putting too much air in a ballon!