Israeli researchers develop efficient enzyme to decompose nerve gas

JERUSAELM, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Israeli scientists have developed a method to design more efficient versions of enzymes that could decompose nerve gas, according to a study published Tuesday by the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Researchers focused on a specific enzyme that cuts off nerve gas molecules. This enzyme is characterized by very low efficiency.

This method is based on decomposition of different versions of the enzyme into many subunits and reassembling them into different combinations.

Using the new computerized system, the scientists succeeded in producing dozens of versions of the enzyme.

The modified versions showed up to 4,000 times the efficiency of nerve gas decomposition compared to the original enzyme.