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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WebinarForensic taphonomy: the chemistry of delivering justice
Join forensic experts on 22 July to discover the chemical processes that occur after death and how they’re revolutionising criminal investigations
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FeatureHibernation awakens interest for drug discovery
With many different species entering torpor for a variety of reasons, scientists are looking to their sleepy secrets for ways to treat human diseases. Anthony King reports
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BusinessRNA as a replacement for chemical pesticides
Argentinian start-up Apolo Biotech is teaching plants to fight infections
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ResearchAn overlooked bonding motif appears in many more proteins than was previously realised
Covalent nitrogen–oxygen–sulfur linkages could be a new target for potential drugs
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ResearchCaterpillars become ‘crazy option for synthetic chemists’ to make oxygen-doped nanocarbons
In-insect synthesis could offer new routes to reach hard-to-make molecules
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NewsChinese researchers charged with smuggling plant pathogen into the US
Fungus described by government as ‘agroterrorism weapon’ was allegedly brought into the US for study at a University of Michigan lab
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BusinessCrispr Nobel laureates get another chance to claim ownership in long-running patent dispute
Jennifer Doudna and Emmanualle Charpentier could recoup patent rights to the gene-editing technology, thanks to ruling from US appeal court
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ResearchAFM maps the way collagen unfolds and refolds in the body
New insights could aid understanding of connective tissue disorders
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ResearchDesigner protein switches conformations like a natural one
Researchers design, produce and test a synthetic protein with a dynamic structure
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OpinionHanding handedness to amino acids
A new theory proposes how chiral amplification could happen
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OpinionIgnoring women’s health shouldn’t be an option
Developing therapies for conditions that predominantly affect women is a neglected, but enormous, opportunity
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Research3D printing deep in the body using ultrasound could deliver drugs, heal wounds
Biocompatible inks allowed polymers to be printed in animals without harming them
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ResearchEngineered microbe could clean up persistent oil pollution hotspots
Bacterium can break down five hydrocarbon pollutants into harmless compounds
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ResearchAmino acid sequences used to predict enzyme stereoselectivity
Team behind tool hope to dramatically reduce the experimental workload of scientists using directed evolution to develop biocatalysts
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NewsFears grow over the future of mRNA vaccine research in the US
Researchers working on mRNA vaccines fear federal funding might be halted, with many looking to move projects abroad
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BusinessAcceptable levels of (epi)genetic engineering
Amplifying or silencing genes may be preferable to permanently changing genetic code
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ResearchRare disease drug can make human blood toxic to mosquitoes
Insect enzyme inhibitor could help control malaria
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BusinessEpigenetic editors enter clinical trials
New wave of precision medicines amplify or silence genes, without altering genetic code
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ResearchPacemaker the size of a grain of rice could save children’s lives after surgery
Medical device powers itself using bodily fluids and then is simply absorbed by the body
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FeatureMaking genetically engineered food palatable
The next generation of genetically altered food is forging ahead, aiming to be attractive to consumers rather than producers. Katrina Megget finds out whether Crispr means crisper salads