rocess called ice affinity purification, the team isolated the new protein, which is rich in an amino acid called glycine. "When you grow a 'popsicle' of ice in the presence of these proteins, the AFPs bind to the ice and become included, while other proteins are excluded," says Dr. Davies. "We use their affinity for ice as a tool to purify the protein."

The antifreeze mechanism of snow fleas has been reported in other parts of the world, including Antarctica, but until now no one has isolated the protein. As well as its potential for use in organ transplants, the researchers suggest it could help to increase frost resistance in plants, and inhibit crystallization in frozen foods.

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Contact: Nancy Dorrance
dorrance@post.queensu.ca
613-533-2869
Queen's University
21-Oct-2005

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