Quantum Computer Solves Protein Puzzle

Interview with Dr. Sandipan Mohanty of the Jülich Supercomputing Centre

24-Jan-2023 - Physicist and code specialist Dr. Sandipan Mohanty has been working on molecular biology simulations for the world's fastest supercomputers for 20 years. Such simulations help to unravel the building blocks of life and provide new insights into cellular machinery. Together with researchers at ...

Alzheimer’s Research: New Insights into the Formation of Toxic Protein Clumps

In slightly acidic conditions Aβ oligomers form around 8,000 times quicker than for a neutral pH

12-Aug-2021 - Small aggregates of proteins known as Aβ oligomers are suspected as the main cause for the development of Alzheimer’s disease. However, it is not yet clear where and under what conditions these toxic aggregates form. Researchers from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf and Forschungszentrum ...

Membrane Proteins of Bacteria and Humans Show Surprising Similarities

Research cooperation uncovers structure and function of PspA and discovers evolutionary link of a bacterial protein to human ESCRT-III proteins

28-Jun-2021 - The cells of simple organisms, such as bacteria, as well as human cells are surrounded by a membrane, which fulfils various tasks including protecting the cell from stress. In a joint project, teams from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and Forschungszentrum Jülich, with participation of ...

Preventing Clumping: How to Keep Proteins Active

20-Dec-2018 - Protein molecules are nature’s all-rounders and carry out their specific tasks with great efficiency. For example, some play an important role in converting substances; others are involved in combatting pathogens. As a result, these biological machines are important in technical as well as ...

Cellular "Light Switch" Analysed Using Neutron Scattering

29-Mar-2016 - The internal movements of proteins can be important for their functionality; researchers are discovering more and more examples of this. Now, with the aid of neutron spectroscopy, dynamic processes have also been detected in so-called "LOV photoreceptors" by scientists from Jülich, Aachen, ...

Alzheimer’s Disease: New Test Identifies the Most Promising Drug Candidates

16-Oct-2015 - Despite enormous efforts of scientists around the world, an effective and causal treatment against Alzheimer’s disease is yet to be found. Many substances that seemed promising initially, later failed in clinical trials, proving ineffective only after years of costly and time consuming tests. ...

Jülich Neutron Scientists Inaugurate Unique Device in the USA

European researchers obtain access to world’s strongest neutron source

09-Nov-2009 - A unique large-scale research device from Jülich went into operation in the USA. At the strongest neutron source in the world, the spallation source SNS in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Forschungszentrum Jülich inaugurated a so-called neutron spin echo (NSE) spectrometer. The NSE spectrometer enables ...