Bioinformatic Expansion of Borosins Uncovers Trans-Acting Peptide Backbone -Methyltransferases in Bacteria.

Backbone methylation is one of the prominent peptide modifications that can greatly enhance the pharmacological properties of a peptide. Naturally occurring backbone methylated peptides are produced via nonribosomal or ribosomal pathways, the latter of which was only recently identified in the borosin family of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides. Although previous bioinformatic analyses have revealed new putative genes for borosin biosynthesis, the natural scope of structural and biosynthetic diversity of the borosin family has not been thoroughly explored.

Pulsed Current Activated Synthesis and Consolidation of Nanostructured Ti-TiC Composite and Its Mechanical Properties.

Ti and CNT powders were milled by high energy ball milling. The milled powders were then simultaneously synthesized and consolidated using pulsed current activated sintering (PCAS) within one minute under the applied pressure of 80 MPa. The advantage of this process is not only rapid densification to near theoretical density but also to prevent grain growth in nano-structured materials The milling did not induce any reaction between the constituent powders.