Scientists Use Tardigrade Proteins for Human Health Breakthrough
Published:06 Apr.2023 Source:University of Wyoming
University of Wyoming researchers' study of how microscopic creatures called tardigrades survive extreme conditions has led to a major breakthrough that could eventually make life-saving treatments available to people where refrigeration isn't possible.
Thomas Boothby, an assistant professor of molecular biology, and colleagues have shown that natural and engineered versions of tardigrade proteins can be used to stabilize an important pharmaceutical used to treat people with hemophilia and other conditions without the need for refrigeration -- even amid high temperatures and other difficult conditions.
The findings are detailed today (Monday) in Scientific Reports, an online, open access journal from the publishers of Nature.