Nobels for Ribosome Structure

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry for 2009 was awarded for the discovery of the molecular structure of the ribosome to three extraordinary scientists, Ada Yonath, (Weitzmann Institute, Israel), Tom Steitz (Yale University) , and Venki Ramakrishnan (MRC Laboratory, Cambridge, UK). The ribosome is a complex molecular machine that is responsible for the synthesis of all proteins. Although the ribosome developed during the earliest stages of life nearly 3 billion years ago, the critical components have remained nearly unchanged through the ensuing evolution. Thus the structure of the bacterial ribosome, for which the Prize was awarded (See Figure), is very similar to that of the human ribosome. Each human being has some 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 ribosomes.

Many if not most cases of Diamond Blackfan Anemia are caused by a genetic mutation that prevents the production of a sufficient number of ribosomes. The study of DBA has led to substantial understanding of the way in which problems with the synthesis of ribosomes impacts the cell, especially the developing red-blood cell.

Further information about the ribosome and how it works, as well as short biographies of the Nobel Laureates can be found at:
http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/2009/info_publ_che_09_en.pdf

Figure 5. An X-ray structure of a bacterium ribosome. The rRNA-molecules are colored orange, the proteins of the small subunit are blue and the proteins of the large subunit are green. An antibiotic molecule (red) is bound to the small subunit. Scientists study these structures in order to design new and more effective antibiotics.

Katie Trebing’s Story “The Match”

Within hours of Kathleen Trebing’s birth on December 12, 2002, her parent’s joy turned to worry. A Daughter With A Deadly Disease. One Extraordinary Chance To Cure Her…. Create The Perfect Sibling.

Former Ranger Captain Hadfield Helps Raise Millions for Rare Blood Disorder

Vic Hadfield is best known to New York sports fans as a former member of the New York Rangers’ famous Goal-A-Game line of the early 1970s along with Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle. Now, Hadfield, who owns a golf education center near Toronto, these days also quietly donates time and sweat to the Daniella Maria Arturi Foundation to increase awareness and support research in Diamond Blackfan Anemia.

THE HILL, OP-ED by Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, September 24, 2008

Several years ago, I was introduced to a brave woman named Marie Arturi. Marie came to me because her daughter had recently fallen victim to an exceptionally rare bone marrow failure disorder called Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA). She wanted people to know about the existence of the disease and the devastation it has caused to her family, amongst only a scattered handful of others. There currently is no cure for DBA other than stem cell (bone marrow) transplantation, and the treatments have limitations.

Blessings In The Midst Of Tough Times

Dearest DBA Family’s,

My name is Jessica Bond and our son Angus is 10 months old and transfusion dependant. He was born in Singapore and then we moved to Toronto Canada for another expat posting further away from our home Australia. My dearest friend Pauline in Singapore who is Gus’ godmother has just raised a massive $7,066 US through a 10km standard chartered running race on December 7th 2008. Now, for some this may be a walk in the park but for Pauline it is like running 2 full marathons. She has an unstable pelvis and when pregnant can get to the point where she can hardly walk. It was an incredible feat and we are so very very proud of her and what she achieved. We all know how important the research is at the moment and Pauline’s donation will help to find our children a cure. I wish you and all the DBA families the very best.

Warmest Regards

Jessica Bond
Mother to Angus (DBA 10 mths old)