Scientists a step closer to understanding 'natural antifreeze' molecules

摘要

Scientists have made an important step forward in their understanding of cryoprotectants - compounds that act as natural 'antifreeze' to protect drugs, food and tissues stored at subzero temperatures. Researchers from the Universities of Leeds and Illinois, and Columbia University in New York, studied a particular type of cryoprotec-tants known as osmolytes. They found that small osmolyte molecules are better at protecting proteins than larger ones.