All articles by Victoria Atkinson
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Research
Thioesters could explain how proteins first formed on early Earth
Cells use proteins to make other proteins – new research could explain how the first proteins arose without other enzymes directing the process
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Feature
From flying ointments to healing herbs: the forgotten chemistry behind historical witchcraft practices
The unusual concoctions of village witches have historically been dismissed as nonsense hocus pocus – but is this the whole story? Victoria Atkinson investigates the chemistry behind the myth and whether there was more to witchcraft than ritual and superstition
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Research
Branched polymers protect cell mimics that can interact with biological cells
Dendritic polymers encase coacervate microdroplets, enabling them to closely mimic natural cells
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News
How the extraordinary science of everyday items is bringing chemistry to the public
Three analytical chemists explain how turning powerful techniques towards ordinary objects inspires public engagement with science
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Research
Morphine analogues kill pain with fewer negative side effects
Redesign of the potent painkiller’s core prevents breathing suppression and reduces addiction-related behaviours in mice
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Research
Boron building block assembles tetra-substituted alkenes like Lego
Powerful method offers control of stereochemistry to produce drugs and natural products
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Feature
Carbon in an ice world
Antarctica may seem pristine and almost devoid of life, but there’s plenty of chemistry going on. Victoria Atkinson explains what it can tell us about the climate and pollution across the globe
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Research
Abundant alkanes become gaseous alkylating agent with flow chemistry
Photocatalytic process can carry out late-stage optimisation of drug candidates
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Research
Nanocomplex becomes a master of shape-shifting to target tumour cells
Switching from nanofibres in the blood to virus-like particles in a tumour environment brings drugs to where they are needed
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Research
Skeletal editing provides quick access to pharmaceutical ‘matching pairs’
Late-stage functional group switching in dibenzofurans will aid drug discovery chemistry
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Research
Enzyme-inspired ligand distinguishes between simple alkyl groups
Designer ligand creates active site-like pocket for asymmetric radical reaction
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Research
Reimagining synthetic strategy with skeletal editing ticks box on chemists’ wish list
Selective heteroatom alkylation offers route to modify important drug building blocks
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Careers
Bridging the gap after submitting a PhD thesis
Finding ways to fund students as they search for jobs and complete lab work for publications
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Research
Simple trick lets pure blue quantum dots maintain their performance without cadmium
Inserting sulfur into heavy metal-free nanocrystal lattice produced pure blue quantum dot LEDs
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Research
Skeletal editing targets double bonds
Two new techniques selectively install nitrogen atoms into complex molecules
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Research
Unusual radical reaction powered by strained substrates
Single-electron strain-release produces pharmaceutical building blocks
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Research
Designer protein performs multi-step catalysis with life-like performance
Computer-designed enzyme competitive with nature for the first time
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Research
Generative AI pipeline creates promising antimicrobial peptides
AI model extrapolates beyond training data to predict diverse antimicrobial structures
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Research
Tuning polymer microstructure produces adhesive stickier than super glue
Manipulating monomer stereochemistry controls polymer properties