New Ribo-Tweezer tool can pluck individual protein pieces out of a working ribosome
Stanford researchers have developed a tool called 'Ribo-Tweezer' that allows for the extraction of individual proteins from working ribosomes. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that ribosomes are uniform machines and reveals their role in maintaining stem cell pluripotency.
Why it matters
This technological breakthrough provides new insights into cellular biology and protein synthesis, potentially opening new avenues for regenerative medicine.
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Credit: Molecular Cell (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2026.04.023 Every human cell has millions of ribosomes that make proteins. For decades, biologists thought of ribosomes as tiny, uniform machines. But now a Stanford Medicine team is showing that ribosomes are much more interesting and complicated than previously thought.
Their latest advance is a new tool called the Ribo-Tweezer, which can snatch a single component out of a working ribosome. The technology is opening new avenues of research. For example, by using the Ribo-Tweezer to pluck one protein from the ribosome, the team found a surprise. Apparently, that protein was helping keep stem cells pluripotent—basically, maintaining their "stemness."
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