Scientific results
Thursday December 15 2005
Detoxification of heavy metals: first structure of a member of the phytochelatin synthase family
For the first time, researchers in the Department of Cell Bioenergetics (DEVM, CEA Cadarache) have successfully characterised the structure of a member of the family of phytochelatin synthases (PCS), key enzymes for the detoxification of heavy metals in plants. These results allow a fuller analysis of the catalytic mechanisms of this enzyme family, and help make possible the production of different types of optimised chelating peptides.
Detoxification of heavy metals: first structure of a member of the phytochelatin synthase family
For the first time, researchers in the Department of Cell Bioenergetics (DEVM, CEA Cadarache) have successfully characterised the structure of a member of the family of phytochelatin synthases (PCS), key enzymes for the detoxification of heavy metals in plants. These results allow a fuller analysis of the catalytic mechanisms of this enzyme family, and help make possible the production of different types of optimised chelating peptides.
PNAS, (2005) 102: 18848-18853
Tuesday August 16 2005
Plant response to phosphate deficiency
Using a global approach conducted on chips carrying most of the genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, coupled with biochemical experiments, research teams at the Department of Plant Growth Biology (DEVM, CEA Cadarache) have successfully characterized the time course of the modifications induced by a phosphate deficiency.
Plant response to phosphate deficiency
Using a global approach conducted on chips carrying most of the genome of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, coupled with biochemical experiments, research teams at the Department of Plant Growth Biology (DEVM, CEA Cadarache) have successfully characterized the time course of the modifications induced by a phosphate deficiency.
PNAS, (2005) 102:11934-11939
Thursday March 10 2005
TULIP: a theoretical model for protein sequences, unifying several domains in bioinformatics and evolutionary biology
Biologists and biomathematicians at the Department of Plant Cell Physiology (DRDC/PCV, CEA Grenoble), jointly with the Gene-IT company, the Department of Biology, Information Technology and Mathematics (DRDC/BIM, CEA Grenoble) and the Department of Plant Ecophysiology and Microbiology (DEVM, CEA Cadarache) have developed a unifying theoretical model for the analysis of protein sequences, TULIP. This method makes it possible (i) to resolve incongruent molecular phylogenies, and (ii) to construct the evolution linking the sequences of an entire data base without disturbing the general topology of the base every time it is improved.
TULIP: a theoretical model for protein sequences, unifying several domains in bioinformatics and evolutionary biology
Biologists and biomathematicians at the Department of Plant Cell Physiology (DRDC/PCV, CEA Grenoble), jointly with the Gene-IT company, the Department of Biology, Information Technology and Mathematics (DRDC/BIM, CEA Grenoble) and the Department of Plant Ecophysiology and Microbiology (DEVM, CEA Cadarache) have developed a unifying theoretical model for the analysis of protein sequences, TULIP. This method makes it possible (i) to resolve incongruent molecular phylogenies, and (ii) to construct the evolution linking the sequences of an entire data base without disturbing the general topology of the base every time it is improved.
BMC Bioinformatics (2005) 6:49
Bioinformatics (2004) 20:534-537
Thursday February 24 2005
A key molecule that enables plants to adapt to variations in ambient light intensity
Jointly with a Swiss team, researchers at the Photosynthesis Ecophysiology Laboratory (DEVM, CEA Cadarache) have identified a protein that enables plants to adapt to variations in ambient light intensity.
A key molecule that enables plants to adapt to variations in ambient light intensity
Jointly with a Swiss team, researchers at the Photosynthesis Ecophysiology Laboratory (DEVM, CEA Cadarache) have identified a protein that enables plants to adapt to variations in ambient light intensity.
Nature, (2005) 433: 892-895
Thursday February 10 2005
Electron transfer and hydrogen production: identification of three new essential subunits
Researchers at the Photosynthesis Ecophysiology Laboratory (DEVM, CEA Cadarache) and the Protein Chemistry Laboratory (DRDC, CEA Grenoble) have identified, in plant chloroplasts (the organelles responsible for photosynthesis), three new subunits that are essential for the operation of the complex Ndh (an analogue of respiratory complex I), involved in alternative electron transfer pathways. In cyanobacteria, the operation of this complex was closely correlated with hydrogen bioproduction. Subsequent fuller characterisation of alternative electron transfer pathways and the complex Ndh may ultimately help to optimise hydrogen production.
Electron transfer and hydrogen production: identification of three new essential subunits
Researchers at the Photosynthesis Ecophysiology Laboratory (DEVM, CEA Cadarache) and the Protein Chemistry Laboratory (DRDC, CEA Grenoble) have identified, in plant chloroplasts (the organelles responsible for photosynthesis), three new subunits that are essential for the operation of the complex Ndh (an analogue of respiratory complex I), involved in alternative electron transfer pathways. In cyanobacteria, the operation of this complex was closely correlated with hydrogen bioproduction. Subsequent fuller characterisation of alternative electron transfer pathways and the complex Ndh may ultimately help to optimise hydrogen production.
The Plant Cell, (2005) 17: 219?232