French researchers jointly published an article that made the cover of the scientific journal Nature: engineered PET-depolymerase to break down and recycle plastic bottles. The development of this novel enzyme places this technology at the forefront of efforts to better protect our oceans and planet against plastic pollution. Some of the experiments were carried out at the XALOC beamline in the ALBA Synchrotron.
An international research team has obtained for the first time the structure of the light-sensitive sodium-pumping KR2 protein in its active state. The discovery provides a description of the mechanism behind the light-driven sodium ion transfer across the cell membrane. Understanding how KR2 works is crucial for optimizing the functional characteristics of that protein and using it as the basis for new optogenetic tools.
In a new study, researchers from the Netherlands and colleagues in Japan and Spain have found a simple mechanism for control of plant growth. Implementation of these findings can help growers to design new crops with for example resistance against disease, drought or flood. Some of the experiments were performed at the XALOC beamline in the ALBA Synchrotron
Researchers from the ICMAB-CSIC have discovered a MOF that allows for the separation of butanol from acetone-butanol-ethanol mixtures that are extracted from the fermentation process of biomass feedstock, as part of the standard industrial process to produce biofuels. This new compound, mCB-MOF-1, shows promising results compared to other methodologies or other MOF materials. Data obtained at both ALBA beamlines, XALOC and NCD-SWEET, had a key role in this study, as well as their scientists support and collaboration.
Their high division rate is one of their main weapons for antibiotic resistance. This work opens the door to the development of drugs that can block this precise mechanism. Some of the experiments have been made in the XALOC beamline at ALBA.
