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.