Molecular biology
The latest chemistry news and research on molecular biology, including genomics, sequencing, modelling and prediction and epigenetics, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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ResearchRecoded E. coli strain shows that life can function with significantly compressed genetic code
Researchers remove seven codons from E. coli’s genetic code
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FeatureThe chemistry of fear
Recent advances in measurement techniques have shed light on the different roles of various biomolecules during frightening and stressful situations. Anna Demming looks at how it may lead to new therapeutic interventions for conditions like PTSD
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ResearchMembrane protein’s unique structure helps bacterial predator devour its rivals
Pentameric protein’s bowl-like shape allows it to ‘capture’ lipid molecules and disrupt cell membranes
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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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ResearchLichen sunscreen blocks extreme UV radiation and might enhance cosmetics, materials
Discovery also suggests that photosynthetic life might survive on planets circling powerful stars
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BusinessRNA as a replacement for chemical pesticides
Argentinian start-up Apolo Biotech is teaching plants to fight infections
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ResearchAn overlooked bonding motif appears in many more proteins than was previously realised
Covalent nitrogen–oxygen–sulfur linkages could be a new target for potential drugs
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ResearchAFM maps the way collagen unfolds and refolds in the body
New insights could aid understanding of connective tissue disorders
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ResearchDesigner protein switches conformations like a natural one
Researchers design, produce and test a synthetic protein with a dynamic structure
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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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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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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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Research‘Hidden grammar’ explains proteins’ distribution into sub-cellular condensates
Proteins’ amino-acid sequences appear to guide their access to blob-like aggregates involved in many cell processes
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ResearchMapping metabolite disturbances by drugs
High-throughput metabolomic profiling gives insight into unpredictable drug effects
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ResearchMutant moulds threaten newest antifungal drugs putting immunocompromised patients at risk
Agrichemical antifungal use is leading to fungi that can evolve resistance to novel drugs faster – even those not even on the market yet
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ResearchProtein cement is the trick to how ticks stick
New insight into bioadhesive proteins could aid development of future biomedical tissue sealants
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OpinionThere are no life lessons to be learned in AI’s Chinese Room
There’s a lot more lab work to do before we understand the ‘language of life’
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ResearchDebunked dogma: disordered proteins disregard ligands’ chirality
Understanding unfolded proteins could boost drug discovery and decipher origins of life mysteries