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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WebinarDeveloping a CITK protein degrader using the QuicTPD™ platform
Join us on 18 November to learn about the latest technology to accelerate the design of cancer treatments
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NewsThe 2025 Nobel prize in chemistry as it happens – live
Join us as we provide analysis and commentary in the run up to the announcement of the biggest prize in chemistry
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NewsMedicine Nobel prize recognises discovery of protective ‘security guard’ regulatory T cells
Research explained how body protects itself from the immune system, offering new ways to treat autoimmune disease
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ResearchNext generation gene editors engineered to significantly reduce error rate
Introducing mutations into DNA-snipping ‘molecular scissors’ can result in 60-fold reduction in errors
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ResearchThioesters could explain how proteins first formed on early Earth
Cells use proteins to make other proteins – new research could explain how the first proteins arose without other enzymes directing the process
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ResearchThis deep-sea worm turns two toxins into a harmless mineral
Unusual biomineralisation strategy used for detoxification rather than reinforcing tissues
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ResearchScientists capture crystal structures of cannabinoid receptor in action
Study reveals how two aromatic residues flip when agonists bind, providing the trigger for downstream signalling
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ResearchCould climate change cause sharks to lose their bite?
Increasing acidification of the world’s seas puts shark’s teeth at risk
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ResearchNew class of antifungals show potent effects against priority pathogens
Coniotins, found in another fungus, is effective against drug-resistant pathogenic fungi
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ResearchProtein prediction AI could help reactivate dormant immune system in crops
Precision engineering could be used to return natural immunity to crops that have lost it over time
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ResearchBranched polymers protect cell mimics that can interact with biological cells
Dendritic polymers encase coacervate microdroplets, enabling them to closely mimic natural cells
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ResearchRecoded E. coli strain shows that life can function with significantly compressed genetic code
Researchers remove seven codons from E. coli’s genetic code
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FeatureThe chemistry of fear
Recent 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
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ResearchLow lithium levels linked to Alzheimer’s
Immune cells’ ability to degrade amyloid-beta peptides restored in mice treated with lithium salt
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OpinionLearning about chemistry in prenatal class
Opportunities for infographics to contribute to health literacy
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NewsScience retracts controversial ‘arsenic life’ paper 15 years after it was published
Contentious study continues to make waves as authors and researchers argue over whether action is proportionate and beneficial
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ResearchAI method makes designer binders for ‘undruggable’ proteins
Technique can create molecules that target disordered regions of proteins and peptides
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ResearchMembrane protein’s unique structure helps bacterial predator devour its rivals
Pentameric protein’s bowl-like shape allows it to ‘capture’ lipid molecules and disrupt cell membranes
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NewsExplainer: The chemistry of permastink and how to prevent it
How to avoid throwing out smelly polyester sportswear
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FeatureSerial femtosecond crystallography reveals protein dynamics in real time
Proteins are constantly moving, but our structures of them are static. Clare Sansom talks to the researchers using free-electron lasers to make time-resolved structures