4 studies highlight the impact of biophysical tools in plant science research

Plant research paves the way for important advances in agriculture, ecology, and medicine. As an example, discoveries into plant pathogens and plant stress response lead to many incremental improvements in farming methods. In addition, identifying the active ingredients of medicinal plants leads to better therapeutics and new natural products. Finally, a deeper understanding of cannabinoid biochemistry can have profound implications in the rapidly growing medical cannabis industry.

This eBook highlights how researchers have used NanoTemper’s biophysical tools to make important discoveries. Here’s a quick takeaway from the 4 studies:

• Interaction between the active compounds found in a herb and their molecular target — Justicia procumbens is a traditional Chinese herb with medicinal properties. Molecular studies reveal how two active plant compounds interact with their glycoprotein binding partner.
• Antiviral properties of a known bacterial agent against TMV — Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infects and damages economically important crops. Analysis of binding affinity uncovers how a commercial antibacterial can be used to inhibit key TMV proteins.
• CBD molecular target and mechanism of action in the mitochondria — A study investigates the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on mitochondrial function in the context of immune cells of the central nervous system. Findings identify a novel membrane protein target.
• A chloroplast heat-shock protein helps plants tolerate heat stress — Small heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are not well characterized in higher plants. A close investigation of the chloroplast protein HSP21 lays fundamental insights on how the photosystem II complex may be protected from heat stress.

Check out this eBook to learn how MicroScale Thermophoresis (MST) and nanoDSF were used to analyze molecular interactions and thermal stability.