Clare Sansom
Clare Sansom studied physics and then biophysics at the University of Bristol, UK, graduating with a Ph.D. in 1987.
She held postdoctoral positions in structure-based drug discovery at the Universities of Aston and Leeds, UK and at the National Cancer Institute, Frederick USA where she studied HIV protease inhibition. She left frontline research in the late 90s for a portfolio career; she teaches medicinal chemistry at the UK’s Open University and bioinformatics at Birkbeck College, London, both to MSc level and works as a freelance science writer and editor. Recent clients besides the RSC include the New York Academy of Sciences and the Lancet monthly journals
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
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
FeatureMaking replacement organs
From iron lungs to smartphone-controlled insulin pumps, Clare Sansom looks at the efforts to create artificial organs
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
BusinessUK firms face critical lab space shortage
Growing chemistry companies hit a wall when it comes to expanding their labs
FeatureTiny delivery systems for cancer drugs
Encapsulating anticancer agents in nanoparticles can make them gentler on the rest of the body. Clare Sansom reports
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
FeatureA test of strength for artificial muscles
Scientists trying to copy natural muscles have several problems to overcome, Clare Sansom finds
FeaturemRNA vaccines for Covid and beyond
Already hailed as a miracle, the new vaccine technology could protect us from other diseases, Clare Sansom finds
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
FeatureDrink, drugs and disease: the chemistry of breath tests
From roadside tests to diagnosing Covid-19, Clare Sansom looks at how breathalysers have developed
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
FeatureSustainable Covid-19 protection
Discarding our pandemic face masks could be an environmental disaster. Clare Sansom looks at the alternatives
FeatureDrugging the gut microbiome
Treating the bacteria that live inside us can improve our own health. Clare Sansom meets our tiny friends
FeatureUncovering how the spliceosome makes the cut
Clare Sansom looks at the complex world of the spliceosome, a molecular machine in all our cells
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
BusinessNurturing the next biotech generation
As incubator environments evolve, options for new companies looking for support are broadening
FeatureCatalysts with a gentle touch
Enzymes and metal–organic frameworks share some common features and are being investigated for industrial use. Clare Sansom reports
ResearchThe protein crystallisation influencer
Naomi Chayen discusses her career manipulating phase diagrams to produce high-quality protein crystals
ResearchSurface chemistry for biological questions
Rasmita Raval discusses her career exploring the complex behaviour of molecule–surface systems and what it has to do with antibiotic resistance and the origin of life