> Space-filling isn't very usefull in the early stages of the pathway I'm
> describing. The main goal is to produce hinges from proteins attached at
We're discussing bootstrapping routes to machine-phase, right? If yes,
then it is difficult to see how such relatively flabby systems can be of
any assistance. An engineered enzyme to generate (cagey) pieces of a
macromolecular complex, yes. Heavily crosslinked, stiff protein capable of
surviving at UHV conditions, yes.
The only other possibility for this I can see is crude scaffolding. What
is it really meant for? Can you describe the outline of your pathway?
> a few points to the adjacent protein or held in the right place by dna
> attached to both proteins, and build "arms" with several degrees of
> freedom out of this. Attaching small pieces of dna to proteins is a bit
These arms will be _very_ flabby.
> easier than attaching proteins to proteins, and Bruce and Markus say
> they have new ideas for doing it better (they're keeping those ideas
> private for now). There will be steps at which precise positioning of 2
> proteins will be important. The dna scaffolding should be able to
> provide this in the earliest stages. In later stages, the "arms" will
> push the proteins into appropriate places.
But what is all this meant for?
ciao,
'gene