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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Research
New mechanism identified that is potentially linked to very early stages of Alzheimer’s
Understanding role of fragments of amyloid protein could lead to novel therapies for the disease
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Research
E. coli engineered to become methanol addict to make industry feedstocks
Bacterium could head off food versus fuel dilemma by producing chemicals from agricultural waste
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Research
Microscopy structures reveal mechanism behind bitter taste
Cryo-EM images provide a detailed picture of bitter taste receptors
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Research
Self-dyeing vegan leather made by genetically engineered bacteria
Material can be shaped into shoes and wallets, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional leather
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Research
Microplastics passed on during cell division
New research sheds light on the influence of microplastics on cellular processes
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Business
US government moves to block Chinese biotechs’ operations
WuXi Apptec and others accused of national security risk, as trade groups back legislation limiting their activities
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Feature
How microbes influence our brain health
Our gut microbiome has been linked to conditions such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Anthony King reports on the connections
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Research
Deep learning algorithm predicts structures of biomolecular assemblies
RoseTTAFold extended to predict structures of proteins bound to small molecules
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Research
Striking reptilian fossil discovered in 1931 found to be fake
280-million-year-old lizard ‘fossil’ was mostly painted on
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Feature
Small molecules that switch up cell development could transform medicine
Turning mature somatic cells back into flexible stem cells using small molecules could revolutionise medicine, especially for regeneration and cancer. Philip Ball reports
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Research
Blueberries’ blue is just skin deep, depending on structure not pigments
Non-spherical nanostructures explain the fruit’s colour
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Research
Human decomposition driven by unique community of microbes
Findings could help crime scene investigators determine time of death
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Research
Engineered enzymes break down silicon–carbon bonds in siloxane, an emerging pollutant
Directed evolution offers a way to tackle waste silicone
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Feature
The chemistry of love
There’s chemistry behind every step of a romantic relationship, from the initial spark to the pain of break up, as Zahra Khan discovers
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Research
Violent volcanic lightning created the nitrogen compounds essential for the chemistry that led to life
First direct evidence of nitrates linked to eruptions discovered
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Feature
More than a mirror-image: left-handed nucleic acids
Now a biological reality, researchers are starting to figure out the many roles of left-handed nucleic acids such as Z-DNA – from immunity to controlling our genetics. Rachel Brazil reports
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Research
Heavy metals are potential ovarian toxicants
Exposure to metals like arsenic, cadmium and mercury linked to reduced egg production, earlier menopause for middle-aged women
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Research
Unravelling enzyme pathway of Taxol precursor brings synthetic production of cancer medicine closer
Expression of nine genes in tobacco plants led to formation of complex precursor of drug
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Research
E. coli rewired to shift carbon flow towards C4 chemicals
Bioengineering strategy creates evolutionary advantage linking cell growth with product formation