Biochemistry
The latest chemistry news and research on biochemistry, including proteomics, metabolism, enzymes and nucleic acid chemistry, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
- 
      
         Opinion OpinionThe molecular mechanisms behind cell cognitionCondensate formation is central to how budding yeast cells decide their response to environmental and internal conditions 
- 
      
         Research ResearchThis deep-sea worm turns two toxins into a harmless mineralUnusual biomineralisation strategy used for detoxification rather than reinforcing tissues 
- 
      
         Feature FeatureThe chemistry of fearRecent advances in measurement techniques have shed light on the different roles of various biomolecules during frightening and stressful situations. Anna Demming looks at how it may lead to new therapeutic interventions for conditions like PTSD 
- 
      
         News NewsWhy is a prehistoric creature still vital for the pharmaceutical industry?Every year, horseshoe crabs are harvested for their blue blood, but alternatives are now coming through that could help protect these ancient animals 
- 
      
         Feature FeatureHibernation awakens interest for drug discoveryWith many different species entering torpor for a variety of reasons, scientists are looking to their sleepy secrets for ways to treat human diseases. Anthony King reports 
- 
      
         Research ResearchRare disease drug can make human blood toxic to mosquitoesInsect enzyme inhibitor could help control malaria 
- 
      
         Research ResearchAI takes step towards cracking biology’s toughest problem – protein sequencingThe team hopes the system will eventually be as influential as AlphaFold was for protein structure prediction 
- 
      
         Research Research‘Ageing’ cellular blobs could be linked to neurodegenerative diseasesOver time biomolecular condensates’ redox activity drops and tangled aggregates linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s build-up 
- 
      
         Feature FeatureThe circles of DNA that cause cancerRing-shaped extrachromosomal DNA is implicated in many cancers. Rachel Brazil talks to the scientists trying to uncover their secrets 
- 
      
         Research ResearchDesigner protein performs multi-step catalysis with life-like performanceComputer-designed enzyme competitive with nature for the first time 
- 
      
         Research ResearchGenerative AI pipeline creates promising antimicrobial peptidesAI model extrapolates beyond training data to predict diverse antimicrobial structures 
- 
      
         Research ResearchThis nanotechnology expert works with both plant and brain cellsCould Markita Landry’s research group be any more interdisciplinary? 
- 
      
         Research ResearchZika virus discovered to alter skin chemistry to entice mosquitoesChanging the volatiles human skin produces helps enhance viral transmission 
- 
      
         Research Research‘Hidden grammar’ explains proteins’ distribution into sub-cellular condensatesProteins’ amino-acid sequences appear to guide their access to blob-like aggregates involved in many cell processes 
- 
      
         Feature FeatureOn the trail of the male contraceptive pillAs multiple novel male contraception compounds enter clinical trials, is family planning about to undergo a second revolution? James Mitchell Crow reports 
- 
      
         Feature FeatureThe promise of drugs that send proteins to the shredderAndy Extance charts how research into revolutionary targeted protein degradation therapies is moving from serendipity to strategic discovery 
- 
      
         Research ResearchProtein cement is the trick to how ticks stickNew insight into bioadhesive proteins could aid development of future biomedical tissue sealants 
- 
      
         Opinion OpinionThere are no life lessons to be learned in AI’s Chinese RoomThere’s a lot more lab work to do before we understand the ‘language of life’ 
- 
      
         Feature FeatureLife on iceWe may be able to freeze embryos, but challenges remain for larger organs. Hayley Bennett talks to the scientists trying to push the boundaries of cryopreservation 
- 
      
         Research ResearchEasy to remove tag could make mRNA synthesis for vaccines quicker and cheaperChemical synthesis takes another step towards overtaking more complex enzymatic routes