This Protein Has an Affinity for Lead

BIOTECHNOLOGY

A new fluorescent sensor based on a protein from a bacterium that thrives in a brew of heavy toxic metals has revealed its potential as a lead detector. The protein could be used to develop more selective chelating agents for treating lead poisoning (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2005, 44,pp. 2). "Current treatments also strip away beneficial metals, such as iron and zinc, which results in serious side effects," says biologist Daniel (Niels) van der Lelie, a scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory (Upton, NY; www.bnl.gov).

Fellow researchers the Univ. of Chicago (IL; www.uchicago.edu) led by Chuan He demonstrated the affinity of the protein for lead using Ralstonia …