Biology and biotechnology – Page 11
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Research
Photosynthesis rewired to generate hydrogen
Gene transplant repositions algal hydrogenase so that it directly captures electrons from photosystem I
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Artificial chloroplasts turn CO2 into multicarbon molecules, powered only by light
Microfluidic platform opens up non-natural metabolic pathways
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Six-month validation behind polymer that prevents biofilm growth
Zwitterionic surface could cut infections by repelling bacteria
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Yeast thriving in hydrogen hints at possibility of life on exoplanets
First demonstration of non-adapted microorganisms growing in 100% H2 shows that life could exist even under seemingly hostile conditions
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Trapped enzyme reveals its unexpected shape-shifting ability
Metamorphic protein confined in nanopore found to switch between different 3D shapes as it catalyses a redox reaction
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Enzymes encapsulated in a golden cage perform in extreme conditions
No room for the proteins to denature but reactants can still get through
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Soap-like catalyst outperforms enzyme with mimicry and micelles
Bioinspired approach could be used for a range of enzymes
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Structural studies offer glimpse of how coronavirus initiates human cell invasion
Researchers studying virus receptor-binding domains suggest virus could have passed directly from bats to humans
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Mystery of where early Earth’s life-fuelling phosphates came from may have been solved
Meteorites have been source of building blocks for primordial life
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DNA instructions pack proteins into unique crystal structures
Process could aid discovery of materials that exploit specific protein functions, such as drug molecules or biocatalysts
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Chemical stimulus used to trigger synthetic cell division
Mother vesicle that divides into two smaller daughter vesicles could be a plausible model of primitive cells
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Potent coronavirus drug candidate designed using 3D structure of key viral enzyme
Inhibitor of Sars-CoV-2 protease shows promise in early animal tests
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Universal blood for transfusion could be created by hydrogel ‘camouflage’
Antigen-shield can prevent serious immune response to incompatible blood group
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Engineered neurons synthesise their own conductive polymer coating
Cell-specific electric stimulation could help be used with bioelectronic prostheses or treat diseases like epilepsy
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Cheating bacterium becomes antibiotic-tolerant at expense of other species
Coexistence triggers counterintuitive antibiotics response in bacteria, which could be used to tackle hardy species
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Fossilised bones inspire long-term DNA data storage
Earth alkali salts found to stabilise synthetic DNA
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Unlocking geological time capsules with analytical chemistry
Blavatnik award winner Kirsty Penkman discusses her research developing techniques to date fossils
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Laser-lit honeycomb polymer boosts bacterial bioelectricity
Technique delivers orders-of-magnitude increase in microbial fuel cell current
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Snakes swap toxic toads for fireflies but retain unique chemical defence
Defensive toxins reveal evolutionary shift in snakes’ diet
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Detailed 3D coronavirus spike map offers hope for vaccine development
Structure determined at ‘remarkable’ speed in little over a month