In a joint effort, researchers at Münster University, the Münster branch of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Technology IME, the Technishe Universität München (TUM) and TRM Ltd. (York, UK) have found what they believe to be the key-proteins involved in the production of rubber in dandelions. They were able to demonstrate using the Russian dandelion, Taraxacum kok-saghyz, as an example of a special protein, a so-called rubber transferase activator. If this protein is lacking, the plant does not produce rubber. With their findings they believe the protein is necessary for the formation of the rubber-producing protein complex. In a second study, with input from IME and Münster University, another protein was found which plays a key role in the formation of the long polyisoprene chains, the polymers which give rubber its elasticity and resilience. This research is hoped to be used to biotechnologically produce natural rubber and advance research in the role of rubber in plants.
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