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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OpinionOur cosmic origins remain plausible, not proven
The evidence is there that the molecular ingredients for life can form in space, but that doesn’t mean that they did
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ResearchThe twisted chemistry of Narwhal tusks
Narwhal tusks grow in distinctive shape due to opposing chiral collagen fibrils
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ResearchTool for designer disordered proteins unentangles their function
Mysterious structure–function relationship of intrinsically disordered proteins probed by machine-learning platform
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BusinessProtein degrader approval offers hope to relapsed multiple myeloma patients
Highly potent molecular glue drug iberdomide doubles the number of patients reaching fewer than one myeloma cell per 100,000 in bone marrow
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ResearchBaker’s yeast engineered to produce precursor for essential cancer drugs
Biosynthesis potentially offers a more efficient way to produce etoposide and teniposide than current synthetic pathways
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FeatureCracking the ubiquitin code to unlock new drug targets
The approval of the first Protac cancer drug marks a turning point in medicine – but scientists are only beginning to decode the complex molecular language that makes it possible
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PodcastThermo Fisher data manipulation & the shrinking chemical recycling industry
We discuss fabricated images in Thermo Fisher’s online catalogue. And, what barriers are preventing chemical plastic recycling from taking off?
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ResearchRe-engineered psychedelic drug retains therapeutic activity in mice, while limiting negative side effects
Rationally designed molecular structure targets a specific subset of serotonin receptors, and potentially offers a route towards safer psychedelic treatments
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ResearchChemical analysis of limpet shells reveals mechanism behind deep-sea migrations
Concentrations of barium, manganese and oxygen isotopes in shell layers provide evidence of where limpets live at different life stages
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OpinionTrust is easily broken and hard to rebuild
Thermo Fisher needs to be open and honest about data manipulation to reassure researchers
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FeatureMolecular ratchets: unlocking the chemistry of biological motion
Motor proteins power everything from muscle contraction to bacterial swimming. While replicating their chemically fuelled directional motion in the laboratory has proved difficult, researchers are making progress and developing molecular ratchets and motors that do useful work
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BusinessThermo Fisher antibody data manipulation is a breach of trust, say researchers
Science sleuths say the problem is impacting research progress and Thermo’s response falls short
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FeatureExtremophiles are rewriting the rules of life on Earth
Creatures that survive extreme conditions like mind-boggling temperatures and toxicity challenge how we define life. Bárbara Pinho finds out how it will impact how we search for life beyond Earth
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NewsAston University unveils new £6 million membrane research facility
The facility will investigate membranes for applications such as water purification and drug development
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BusinessRewriting genetic medicine
Scribe Therapeutics will soon begin clinical trials for its epigenetic treatment to tackle ‘bad’ cholesterol
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ResearchWatching unpaired electrons at work
From building the Centre for Pulse EPR at Imperial to probing electron transfer in real time, Maxie Rößler is pushing an overlooked technique into the spotlight
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ResearchDesert horned lizards that drink captured water from their skin inspire water-harvesting system
Careful observation of these lizards solves mystery of how they squeeze water into their mouths and could help extract water from soil in arid regions
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OpinionWould mirror life really threaten our own?
New modelling suggests that even if we could create cells based on mirror-image biomolecules, their natural counterparts would outcompete them in the wild
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ResearchWarming seas impact cell structures that deliver oxygen to coral
Oxygen-sensitive nanoparticles reveal a new mechanism of coral stress
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ResearchPigeons navigate with ‘gut feeling’ powered by paramagnetic liver cells, study suggests
Homing pigeons might owe their navigational knowhow to iron nanoparticles in their liver