Synthetic biology and molecular machines – Page 3
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ResearchArtificially evolved enzyme tackles tricky cross coupling
Directed evolution on the metalloenzyme cytochrome P450 creates a catalyst for making macrocyclic antibiotics
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ResearchAI-engineered enzyme eats entire plastic containers
Enzyme with only five amino acid alterations depolymerises 51 different PET products faster and at lower temperature than other proteins
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ResearchYeast engineered to convert methanol into heparin
Production levels are currently low, but researchers hope the method could one day mean pharma doesn’t have to rely on animals for this essential medicine
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FeatureHow protocells bridge the gap from chemistry to biology
Rachel Brazil talks to the scientists trying to recreate what the first cells were like, or to make their own versions
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OpinionNed Seeman’s legacy
A system based on DNA ‘tiles’ can embody Darwinian evolution, raising new possibilities for understanding natural selection and materials development
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ResearchProkaryotes programmed to produce paracetamol avoid pervasive petrochemicals
Genetically modified E. coli serve as green factories for painkillers
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OpinionTaking the right inspiration from nature
Scientists need to be selective about their sources of inspiration
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Research‘Self-inflating’ synthetic cells can capture, store and release cargo
Entirely artificial system can use chemical energy to ‘swallow’ payloads like bacteria
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BusinessBrewing up plant-inspired medicines
Antheia reconstructs complex biochemical pathways in yeasts to speed up production of natural product-based drugs
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ResearchSortase A strategy could see ribosomal products reach further across chemical space
Compound libraries set to benefit from process that harnesses promiscuity of post-translation enzymes
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ResearchGenetically engineered microbes convert waste plastic into vanillin
Plastic bottle becomes industrially useful product thanks to biosynthetic transformation
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NewsExplainer: What is Crispr and why did it win the Nobel prize?
The science behind the prize-winning gene editing tool that could change our lives
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NewsCrispr–Cas9 gene-editing inventors win chemistry Nobel prize
2020 chemistry award goes to Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier
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FeatureUnnatural selection in chemical systems
Great strides have been made in the lab with chemical systems that ape life’s behaviour
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FeatureArtificial photosynthesis: solar water splitting
The chemistry to mimic ones of nature’s greatest feats still has some hurdles to overcome
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FeatureArtificial enzymes: catalysis by design
Enzymes are nature’s ultimate catalysts and chemists are now on the verge of making their own versions from scratch
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ResearchFruit flies’ protective corneal coatings reproduced
Anti-reflective and anti-adhesive nano-coating that covers the eyes of insects could find uses in medical implants and contact lenses
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ResearchSimple lipid networks combine self-assembly, replication, competition and inhibition
Artificial cells have previously lacked the complexity that is distinct to natural life but scientists are edging closer
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ResearchViewpoint shift designs drug binding proteins from scratch
New method focuses on the groups touching amino acid side chains