1. Delaine M. Zayas-Bazán Burgos RISE Program BIOL 3095
Seminar Reflection #2 by: Jessica Torres about: Incorporation of Unnatural
Amino Acids for the Expression of Proteins with New Function
Proteins, along with lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, constitute the carbon
molecules most important in life. Proteins are responsible of many essential biological processes
within organisms, including its defense, transportation of cellular material and maintenance of
the cell. Some functions of proteins have been discovered by protein labeling. Protein labeling
has been accomplished through different processes such as labeling proteins with other
proteins, fluorescent labeling, and natural amino acid labeling. Recently a new and more
effective method has been discovered, namely: unnatural amino acid labeling. It is, a more
specific, non disruptive, and non denaturalizing process. These characteristics are making it a
welcomed and celebrated process by many scientists studying proteins.
The importance of understanding and studying proteins is critical in the understanding of the
function and behavior of organisms and diseases. Labeling effectively the proteins will provide a
broader insight as to how they could be fixed in protein-related diseases. An example of a protein
related disease is sickle cell disease. If the amino acid causing this problem, could be replaced by
an unnatural amino acid the disease, or many of its symptoms could be attenuated.