Biology
The latest chemistry news and research on biology, including biochemistry, biotechnology, synthetic biology and origins of life, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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ResearchFirst total synthesis of macrocycle with four stereocentres at the heart of bacterial photosynthesis
Technically daunting synthesis of bacteriochlorophyll a finally reaches completion
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PodcastVanadium-based medicines & sustainable labs
Vanadium-based medicines? We discuss the 23rd element’s little-known potential in pharmaceuticals. Plus, how labs across the UK are making achievable changes to increase their sustainability.
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OpinionThe evolving landscape of pain drug discovery
Harnessing the power of human-relevant in vitro models
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ResearchVanadium’s promise in medicine and the researchers who refuse to give up
It mimics phosphate, kills cancer cells in the lab and almost changed how we treat diabetes. So why has a vanadium compound never made it to the clinic?
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OpinionCollective interactions dominate gene regulation in eukaryotes
A new technique shows DNA binding domains are not central to transcription factor targeting in human cells, unlike in bacteria
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FeatureNew treatments offer hope for neglected snakebite victims
Nina Notman meets the scientists developing recombinant antivenoms and small molecule inhibitors to save the lives and limbs of snakebite patients, who number in the their hundreds of thousands
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ResearchDiscovery of unique modification to plant’s carbon dioxide-fixing enzyme could boost crops
Linker that joins up Rubisco cuts synthesis of toxic byproduct that plants pay a heavy energy price to deal with
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ResearchNear-Earth asteroid samples contain all five nucleobases key to life
Meteorites rich in chemicals used to build nucleic acids may have helped kick-start life on early Earth
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FeatureCone snail venom peptides offer new hope for pain relief
Cone snails deploy sophisticated venom cocktails to paralyse prey. Anthony King talks to the researchers harnessing these peptides to develop new pain medications
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OpinionMaxwell’s demon might lurk in enzyme behaviour
The controversial process of enhanced enzyme diffusion could enable living systems to resist local equilibrium
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ResearchCitric acid cycle a ‘garbage compactor’ as well as an energy powerhouse
Textbook metabolic cycle is still surprising scientists as they delve into its details
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OpinionPolicies for advanced wound care dressings in India
India faces a growing crisis in wound treatment, driven by diabetes and an ageing population. A new policy approach could enable Indian innovation to meet this need.
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WebinarTaking the sting out of pain: how marine venoms can be used to heal
Learn how marine venoms are being used to treat chronic pain
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FeatureUnravelling the chemistry behind the sea’s bioluminescent sparkle
Researchers are piecing together the unusual chemical reactions that enable dinoflagellates to create spectacular light displays in tropical bays. But the mechanism behind their bioluminescence remains one of nature’s most puzzling chemical mysteries
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NewsExplainer: What is epibatidine?
The science behind the dart frog toxin that was allegedly used to kill the Russian politician Alexei Navalny
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ResearchSelf-synthesising RNA strand offers clues to life’s origins
RNA strand, made of just 45 nucleotides, performs two key reactions required for self-replication
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ResearchEngineered enzymes could boost amide bond-forming efficiency for drug synthesis
Approach offers greener route to amide-containing drugs via aldehydes
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PodcastAlphaGenome & the RNA world hypothesis
In this episode, we discuss Google DeepMind’s latest deep learning model AlphaGenome, dissect the origins of life from chemicals to complex lifeforms, and hear the latest headlines.
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Research‘Living biosensor’ lights up to detect wine spoilage in real time
Genetically modified bacteria glow in high levels of acetic acid, a common signal that wine has gone bad
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FeatureHow RNA reveals clues to life’s origins on Earth
The discovery of catalytic RNA transformed our understanding of life’s beginnings. Clare Sansom explores how the RNA world hypothesis bridges the gap between non-living chemistry and the first cells