The cassette and tweezers were used by Brian Kobilka in his research on “beta-adrenergic receptors” on the surface of our cells. These receptors are sensitive to the hormone adrenaline and transmit signals into our cells via G proteins. To map the structure of the molecular complex that these receptors form with G proteins, Kobilka and his colleagues used electron microscopy. Samples of the molecular complex were placed inside this pill-like cassette, which was inserted into the electron microscope using tweezers.
Brian Kobilka donated the cassette and tweezers to the Nobel Prize Museum in 2012.
Inside the glass cube is a 3D image portraying an important process that occurs on the surface of our cells: a "receptor" is first activated by the hormone adrenaline, then transmits a signal down inside the cell through a connection to what is known as a G protein. The model was etched in glass in three dimensions. Brian Kobilka and his colleagues created the model after successfully mapping the structure of the linked molecules in 2011.
Brian Kobilka donated the model to the Nobel Prize Museum in 2012.
