Heart of Life

All living things rely on proteins – the molecular ‘building blocks’ of life, made from smaller chemicals (amino acids) strung together in specific sequences. Different types of proteins form the sturdy structures inside cells that give them their shape, digest food, recognise invading infections and much, much more. And even the simplest biological structures on earth – microscopic viruses – are packed with proteins that package up their genetic material and create a coat, enabling them to infect and multiply in the cells of humans or other organisms. Researchers are using a new technique, known as ‘click chemistry’, to spy on newly-made virus proteins (coloured white in this image) as they’re being assembled from amino acids in living cells. By studying how these proteins are made in real time, scientists can begin to figure out how cells respond to viral infections and develop new ways to help in the fight against them.

Written by Kat Arney

Kat Arney

Writer

Dr Kat Arney is an award-winning science writer, broadcaster and public speaker, and is the founder and Creative Director of First Create The Media.

Website

• Image by Catherine Teo
• Imperial College London, UK
• Image copyright held by the photographer
• Winner of The People's Choice Award in Imperial Innovations' 'The Art of Research' competition 2016