The process through which new proteins are made in all cells of the body is known as translation. The translation process converts genetic material (in the form of RNA) into new protein by using a specialised molecular machine known as a ribosome. Two new studies published by Professor Tom Gillingwater and Dr Ewout Groen, working in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Trento in Italy (led by Dr Gabriella Viero), have reported on tools that can be used to study and better understand how ribosomes function. Their first paper, published in PLoS Computational Biology, details a new computational approach known as riboWaltz that can be used to analyse ribosome profiling data. Their second paper, published in Cell Reports, provides information regarding a new tool for isolating active ribosomes from cells and tissues of the body (termed RiboLace). These studies were supported by funding from the SMA Trust (UK SMA Research Consortium) and the Wellcome Trust. Both papers are free to download. Related links riboWaltz: Optimization of ribosome P-site positioning in ribosome profiling data published in PLoS. Active Ribosome Profiling with RiboLace published in Cell Reports. Publication date 22 Nov, 2018
