Researchers at the University of Hyderabad have discovered a new chemical technology that could help in the better understanding of the functioning of living things at the atomic and molecular level.
All living and non-living systems that exist in this world are formed through a variety of chemical and biological reactions that take place in simple atoms/molecules. These reactions help in the catalysis of small amino acids into big enzymes. The HCU team, for the first time, has found one such major reaction. The technology developed by HCU enables scientists to clearly see how a reaction takes place.
The team comprising Prof. D.B. Ramachary, Ms R. Sakthidevi and Ms K.S. Shruthi found and analysed king-size pre-transition state of asymmetric supra-molecular reaction. The finding was published in the prestigious international chemistry journal, Chemistry. To understand the process of chemical and biological reactions in living and non-living systems, first we need to understand the catalytic power of small to big molecules in a variety of chemical and biological reactions. For the last few decades, many chemists and biologists have been working to understand clearly the reaction pathways, particularly the “transition state” of the reactions. At present “femtosecond spectroscopy” developed by Nobel laureate Prof. Ahmed H. Zewail is utilised to understand and predict important chemical reactions. However, Prof. Ahmed’s method may not be suitable to study the transition states of sensitive asymmetric reactions.
The team used electrospray ionization technique to influence a variety of chemical and biological reactions. This will help in better study of pre- or post-transition states of complex asymmetric chemical reactions.