Jamie Durrani
After completing a PhD in asymmetric catalysis at the University of St Andrews, I started working at the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2015. Being passionate about science writing, I really enjoyed the opportunity to contribute articles to Chemistry World. I eventually managed to sneak into a full-time role on the magazine in September 2016.
NewsChina overtakes UK in list of highly cited researchers
More than 6000 influential scientists identified across 21 different fields
- News
European commission gives green light to first Ebola vaccine
Drug shown to be effective and safe following clinical trials involving 16,000 people
- Research
Flexible glass paves the way for virtually unbreakable smartphone screens
Aluminium oxide films could find use in flexible electronics and durable batteries if manufacturing problems can be overcome
- Podcast
Book Club – Language Unlimited by David Adger
We discuss linguist David Adger’s book that delves into the origins of human language and tries to uncover the hidden structure behind what we say (or sign)
- Research
Supramolecular mask simplifies fullerene modification
Porphyrin structure makes it easier to perform selective reactions on fullerene substrates
- News
Swipe right to help in the fight against Huntington’s disease
Citizen science project improves understanding of protein misfolding disorders like Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases
- News
Why have lithium–ion batteries just won the chemistry Nobel prize?
The 2019 Nobel prize was awarded to pioneers of rechargeable battery tech – here’s what you need to know
- Research
Modified metallohelices show medical potential
Post-assembly click reactions on helical metal complexes produces biological activity akin to that of the arrow poison ouabain
- Research
Can catalysis save us from our CO2 problem?
We need to start seeing carbon dioxide as as a valuable raw material to make chemicals, fuels and even food
- Review
Clearing the Air: The Beginning and the End of Air Pollution
Jamie Durrani reviews Tim Smedley’s new book
- Research
Minty-fresh solvent for sustainable cross-couplings
Eucalyptol could replace diethyl ether, DMF, THF and toluene in many synthetic reactions
- Podcast
Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
Jamie Durrani diverts his attention to the rise of Ritalin, a drug first identified as a way of improving tennis performance
- Research
Venom peptides reveal secrets of scorpion evolution
The shapes of toxins found in venom are helping to resolve the scorpion’s family tree
- Review
Bitter Pills: The Global War on Counterfeit Drugs
Muhammad Zaman’s book gives an account of the challenges facing drug regulators worldwide
- Research
Biomarkers reveal ancient history of tobacco smoking in the Pacific Northwest
Stone pipe residues suggest wild tobacco was smoked for centuries before the arrival of Euro-American settlers
- Research
Waste vegetable oils turned into chemicals for drugs and plastics
Dual catalytic system converts complex carboxylic acids into terminal alkenes
- News
Thomas Steitz, Nobel laureate who unlocked the inner workings of the ribosome dies
Steitz shared the 2009 chemistry Nobel prize for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome
- Research
Bifunctional catalyst enables direct production of liquid fuels from syngas
Zeolite-supported cobalt nanoparticles enable selective Fischer–Tropsch conversion of syngas to gasoline, jet fuel and diesel
