All articles by Clare Sansom
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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
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FeatureStudying materials in action
Experiments on battery electrodes and fuel cell catalysts while they’re being used – operando spectroscopy – can revolutionise our understanding of these crucial materials. Clare Sansom reports
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FeatureBlood biopsies for cancer
Testing small amounts of blood for the presence of disease markers could revolutionise how we detect cancer. Clare Sansom reports
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FeatureMarvellous mixtures of metals
High entropy alloys, with anywhere from five or more different metals, have unusual properties and could find use in a variety of high-tech applications. Clare Sansom reports
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FeatureBattling long Covid with drugs
The challenge of finding drugs for a poorly understood disease with many symptoms is clear. Clare Sansom looks at the work going on to help the people suffering in its shadow
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FeatureMaking replacement organs
From iron lungs to smartphone-controlled insulin pumps, Clare Sansom looks at the efforts to create artificial organs
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FeatureChanging the game in protein structure prediction
Have AlphaFold and other machine learning techniques essentially solved the formerly fiendish problem, or is there still more to be done? Clare Sansom reports
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BusinessUK firms face critical lab space shortage
Growing chemistry companies hit a wall when it comes to expanding their labs
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FeatureTiny delivery systems for cancer drugs
Encapsulating anticancer agents in nanoparticles can make them gentler on the rest of the body. Clare Sansom reports
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FeatureNot just batteries: The chemistry of electric cars
The materials required in battery-powered cars are providing new challenges to chemists and the chemical industry. Clare Sansom reports
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FeatureA test of strength for artificial muscles
Scientists trying to copy natural muscles have several problems to overcome, Clare Sansom finds
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FeaturemRNA vaccines for Covid and beyond
Already hailed as a miracle, the new vaccine technology could protect us from other diseases, Clare Sansom finds
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FeatureExperimenting in a pandemic
Chemistry teachers have faced extraordinary challenges in preparing and running practicals in the past 18 months. Clare Sansom investigates how they have fared
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FeatureDrink, drugs and disease: the chemistry of breath tests
From roadside tests to diagnosing Covid-19, Clare Sansom looks at how breathalysers have developed
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FeatureThe hellish chemistry of Venus’ atmosphere
The potential presence of phosphine on Venus is only the latest twist in the strange chemistry of our planetary neighbour, finds Clare Sansom
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FeatureSustainable Covid-19 protection
Discarding our pandemic face masks could be an environmental disaster. Clare Sansom looks at the alternatives
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FeatureDrugging the gut microbiome
Treating the bacteria that live inside us can improve our own health. Clare Sansom meets our tiny friends
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FeatureUncovering how the spliceosome makes the cut
Clare Sansom looks at the complex world of the spliceosome, a molecular machine in all our cells
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FeatureMalaria no more?
Efforts to cure malaria have been going on for hundreds of years. Clare Sansom looks at some of the latest – and most innovative
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BusinessNurturing the next biotech generation
As incubator environments evolve, options for new companies looking for support are broadening