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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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
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ResearchAI takes step towards cracking biology’s toughest problem – protein sequencing
The team hopes the system will eventually be as influential as AlphaFold was for protein structure prediction
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Research‘Ageing’ cellular blobs could be linked to neurodegenerative diseases
Over time biomolecular condensates’ redox activity drops and tangled aggregates linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s build-up
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FeatureThe circles of DNA that cause cancer
Ring-shaped extrachromosomal DNA is implicated in many cancers. Rachel Brazil talks to the scientists trying to uncover their secrets
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ResearchStretching spider silk increases hydrogen bonding, improving mechanical strength
Computational analysis provides new insights into silk’s mechanical properties that was unavailable experimentally
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OpinionTunnelling to the heart of cell communication
Nanotubes are being found in an increasing number of biological contexts, including the developing heart
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BusinessBiomanufacturing proliferates in chemicals
Fermentation can improve sustainability at competitive costs
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ResearchCould ‘woolly’ mice put mammoths on the path to de-extinction?
Scepticism that mice with mammoth gene edits could ever produce a viable animal in elephants
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ResearchClearest ever picture of worms’ surface chemistry deepens evolutionary understanding
Cutting-edge mass spectrometry of nematodes’ ‘skin’ may reveal new ways to control parasitic infections
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ResearchDesigner protein performs multi-step catalysis with life-like performance
Computer-designed enzyme competitive with nature for the first time
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ResearchMedieval bear’s teeth shed light on historic heavy metal pollution
1000 years ago, a bear died after falling down a cave shaft in Romania’s Carpathian mountains. Was lead poisoning to blame?
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ResearchGenerative AI pipeline creates promising antimicrobial peptides
AI model extrapolates beyond training data to predict diverse antimicrobial structures
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OpinionHow natural nanomotors could propel new drug delivery systems
Biological cells including bacteria, sperm cells and microalgae show promise for precision treatments
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ResearchThis nanotechnology expert works with both plant and brain cells
Could Markita Landry’s research group be any more interdisciplinary?
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ResearchZika virus discovered to alter skin chemistry to entice mosquitoes
Changing the volatiles human skin produces helps enhance viral transmission