Get the latest tech news
First known fractal molecule
Fractals are a fascinating type of pattern for mathematics nerds, with their repeating, artificial-looking structures. Now, scientists have discovered the first known fractal protein – and it seems to be an evolutionary accident.
It’s an enzyme used by a species of cyanobacteria to produce citrate, which was found to naturally assemble itself into a specific fractal pattern called the Sierpiński triangle. To figure out how this protein takes on such an intriguing structure, the researchers used electron microscopy to analyze it in more detail, and found that its self-assembly wasn’t symmetrical. To find out, the team genetically altered the microbe so that the protein didn’t form the fractal structure, but the bacterium was still able to produce citrate just fine.
Or read this on Hacker News