crystallography Archives

Molecular dynamics simulations of Orn_6, Dab_6, and Dap_6. (A) Representative structures with the DZBB form used for the MD simulations. (B) Normalized RMSD vs. Rg plots. (C) Free energy landscapes constructed from the dominant principal components. The first two principal components capture the essential collective motions, and the corresponding trace values reflect differences in conformational sampling. Panels (A) to (C) show representative figures for Orn_6, Dab_6, and Dap_6, respectively. (D) Root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) profiles. (E) Intramolecular hydrogen bonds across 20,000 frames. (F) Secondary structure elements (%). Structure = α-helix + β-sheet + β-bridge + Turn. -- biorxiv.org

Prebiotic Cationic Amino Acids Support Formation Of An Ancient Protein Fold

by Keith CowingSeptember 4, 2026September 4, 2026

[biorxiv.org] The evolutionary basis for the selection of the standard proteinogenic amino acids remains elusive, particularly for the long cationic amino acids, lysine and arginine, which were likely scarce in […]

Researchers have long been interested in Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, and its icy environment, which harbours lakes, seas, sand dunes and a thick atmosphere full of nitrogen, methane, and complex carbon-based chemistry. Titan share some commonality with the early evolution of our planet and may therefore give researchers clues to the origin of life. Credit NASA-JPL-Space Science Institute

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Titan

Unexpected Discovery On Titan Challenges Our View On Chemistry Before Life Emerged

by Keith CowingOctober 17, 2025October 17, 2025

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and the US space agency NASA have made an unexpected discovery that challenges one of the basic rules of chemistry and provides […]