Andy Extance

Before becoming a full-time science writer, Andy Extance worked for six and a half years in early-stage drug discovery research, followed by brief stint in silicone adhesive and rubber manufacturing.

However, when he had his first feature – on a cause of common heart-related problems in new drug candidates – published in Chemistry World in 2004, the course of his career shifted. After working as news editor for Compound Semiconductor magazine, he went freelance in 2009. Today Andy’s science writing explores everything related to chemistry, from Earth’s environment to space, from food to fusion, and from solar cells to how we smell.

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Feature
How ammonia could decarbonise shipping
2021-11-09T10:57:00
Andy Extance discovers why the compound best known as a fertiliser is a surprising candidate to power enormous container ships
Feature
How a virus ancestor powers our memory’s chemistry
2021-08-23T11:05:00
Andy Extance tells the astonishing story of the Arc protein and its capsid forms, and the questions it poses
Research
Neural network scours vast chemical space to design drug-delivering peptides
2021-08-11T08:30:00
Oligonucleotide drug activity boosted 50-fold with peptide designed by machine learning algorithm
News
Machine learning delivers ‘human genome’ moment for proteins
2021-08-03T08:30:00
Protein structure prediction tools AlphaFold and RoseTTAFold take the latest steps towards maturity and make their software open source
Research
Electrochemical DNA on a chip sensor detects bacterial urinary tract infections faster
2021-07-06T13:26:00
Synthetic nucleic acid probes combine with tiny star-shaped electrodes tests for bacteria in less than an hour
News
Scientists build case for a UK x-ray laser more advanced than any in the world
2021-05-28T08:30:00
Support sought for facility with higher quality, shorter pulses, to begin operation after 2030
Feature
Computer-guided retrosynthesis
2021-05-24T10:08:00
Machine learning-based systems hope to outperform expert-guided reaction planning technology, finds Andy Extance
Research
Nitrogen deletion reaction offers ‘new way to think about molecular editing’
2021-05-13T08:38:00
Reagent inspired by decades-old research could save chemists a lot of headache when it comes to modifying molecules’ skeleton
Research
Rapidly alternating polarity stars in selective electrochemical reduction
2021-04-30T08:21:00
Rapidly fluctuating AC targets specific carbonyl groups in the presence of several reducible groups
Research
New definition of electronegativity fixes flaws left by Linus Pauling
2021-04-14T08:00:00
Revised version of Pauling’s formula enables better predictions for problem systems such as metal-containing molecules
Research
Tandem catalysis and smart design offer new route to polypropylene plastic
2021-03-19T10:09:00
Selective combustion of hydrogen by-product improves oxidative propane dehydrogenation yields
Feature
Flow chemistry surges forward
2021-03-15T15:58:00
The long-discussed technique could help make pharma manufacturing more distributed, finds Andy Extance, and create opportunities for chemists with the right skills
Research
Subtle quantum phenomenon found to alter chemical reactivity for the first time
2021-03-04T08:58:00
Peeking into the picosecond transition state window reveals effect of spin–orbital interactions
Research
Cations pairs exhibit surprising attraction
2021-02-18T09:30:00
‘Complex of complexes’ containing silver and iodonium ions experience an unprecendented interaction
Research
Walking protein’s tiny steps measured with germanium nanospheres
2021-02-16T09:30:00
Highest ever resolution measurements suggests answer to kinesin dispute
Research
Molecular firing range allows surprisingly specific bond breaking
2021-02-09T09:30:00
At energies equivalent to temperatures of several thousand Kelvin fragmentation is unexpectedly precise
Research
Single atom catalysts double up to link oxidation and reduction
2021-02-01T09:30:00
Photosynthesis inspires dual electrolytic system where iron-supporting shell envelops palladium-supporting ‘yolk’
News
Lack of support undermines minority and female chemistry PhDs
2021-01-13T11:12:00
US survey shows importance of peers and finances in graduate schools
Research
Chemists tame shamanic addiction treatment
2020-12-17T14:30:00
Animal experiments show modified structures remove ibogaine’s hallucinogenic and heart-harming effects
Feature
2020: the year the world changed
2020-12-17T09:05:00
Andy Extance discovers how scientists around the world have responded to the pandemic, working on solutions from drugs and vaccines to hand sanitiser and PPE

More by Andy Extance