
Michael Gross
Michael Gross studied chemistry and obtained his doctorate from the University of Regensburg (Germany) in 1993.
After seven years combining postdoctoral research at Oxford with writing science journalism as a hobby, he switched to writing full time. He is now a regular contributor to magazines including Current Biology, Chemistry World, Chemistry & Industry, Spektrum der Wissenschaft, Chemie in unserer Zeit and Nachrichten aus der Chemie. He has written several books, including Life on the Edge, Travels to the Nanoworld, Light and Life, and (with Kevin Plaxco) Astrobiology -- a brief introduction. In 2014, he received the writers’ award of the German Chemical Society (GDCh-Preis für Journalisten und Schriftsteller).
Blog: www.proseandpassion.com
Website: www.michaelgross.co.uk
ResearchRing of pure carbon stabilised by its catenane connections
C48 carbon allotrope can be isolated in solution
ResearchCarbon’s anti-aromatic allotrope is ringing the changes
The first synthesis of an anti-aromatic ring of pure carbon using atom manipulation
ResearchProteins behind diatoms’ intricate nanoscale-patterned shells revealed
Finding could help pattern materials for photonics, catalysis and sensors
ResearchChemical ecosystem of Murchison meteorite molecules revealed in snapshots
Atomic force microscopy proof of principle test shows technique is up to the challenge of chronicling chemical diversity in extra-terrestrial samples
ResearchDiels-Alder reaction directly observed under the microscope
Simple ring-forming reaction followed on a surface for the first time using scanning probe microscopy
ResearchLight-harvesting wheel reinvented by chemists copying bacterium
Synthetic mimic of complex at the heart of photosynthesis offers new ways to capture solar energy
ResearchLargest molecular wheel ever made pushes limits of aromaticity rules
Giant, 162 π-electron aromatic ring shows that we haven’t reached the upper limit of Hückel’s rule yet
ResearchNew form of pure carbon made by manipulating atoms
Elusive 18-carbon ring pinned down on surface
ResearchMost complex reaction ever triggered by atomic manipulation makes molecular wire
Construction helps shed new light on mechanism of century-old reaction
ResearchAI teaches itself to identify materials – and predict new ones too
Neural network trained up on 50,000 crystal structures shows promise rapidly navigating chemical element combinations
ResearchCrispr enables rapid disease detection
A Crispr enzyme that targets RNA can recognise Zika at minute concentrations
ResearchPersonalised medicine boost as cancer drug monitored in real-time
Aptamer-based sensors can track levels of small molecules in rats as the go about their business
ResearchHydrogens seen crystal clear in small molecules
Researchers have pinned down the precise position of hydrogen atoms in crystal structures using widely accessible methods
ResearchBees 'prefer' neonicotinoid-laced nectar
Studies debunk the notion that wild bees avoid feeding from pesticide-treated plants

ResearchViruses melt ‘glassy’ DNA
Researchers have shown how viruses liquefy their own DNA ready to inject into host cells
ResearchBringing chemical synthesis to the masses
Researchers hope simple system to build thousands of peptides without enzymes, cells or reagents will be accessible to all
- Research
Self-assembing carbohydrates behave like proteins
Aminocelluloses that reversibly assemble into tetramers could form a new class of biosensors
ResearchMEDIC to kick-start personalised medicine revolution
Sensor will continuously monitor drug concentrations in real time letting doctors tailor treatments to the patient
- Research
Speeding up the experiment to fit the simulation
Unfolding a protein using atomic force microscopy just got a lot faster