Why No Viral Infections in a Bacteria? - Molecular Scissors
August 28 , 2019 1833 days 841 0
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal have determined the atomic structure of “McrBC”.
McrBC is a bacterial protein.
It functions as a molecular scissor and prevents viral infections in bacteria.
This is the first report of the high-resolution structure from India, determined using electron “cryomicroscopy”, commonly known as cryo-EM.
Practical Applications
The determination of the McrBC’s structure has long-term implications in ‘phage therapy’ and could help combat “drug-resistant infections” in the future.
Phages are groups of viruses that infect and kill bacterial cells.