Stefan Jennebach, Laurent Larivière, Professor Patrick Cramer and Jasmin Sydow (left to right) from the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich discuss a model of polymerase (Image 2) which is necessary for the duplication of genetic information.
Our genetic make-up provides all the information needed for our existence. It can be read like a book and is made up of around 25,000 genes. However, for life to be breathed into our own personal gene pool, it is necessary for it to be duplicated in whole or in part by enzymes. One such enzyme, RNA polymerase, copies the segments of the DNA strand. These copies are then used to produce proteins or messenger substances.
Minutely detailed insight into biochemistry
Professor Patrick Cramer and his team at the Gene Center at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich have traced how these enzymes work, step by step and minutely down to atomic scale. For this achievement, the biochemist has been honored with the 2009 Hansen Family Award. Read more about the research by following this link.