Biology
The latest chemistry news and research on biology, including biochemistry, biotechnology, synthetic biology and origins of life, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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NewsPause work on ‘mirror life’, recommends panel of international experts
Synthetic bacteria with chirality opposite to that of life on Earth might cause lethal infections
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ResearchDebunked dogma: disordered proteins disregard ligands’ chirality
Understanding unfolded proteins could boost drug discovery and decipher origins of life mysteries
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FeatureLife on ice
We may be able to freeze embryos, but challenges remain for larger organs. Hayley Bennett talks to the scientists trying to push the boundaries of cryopreservation
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ResearchCrispr gene-editing booster molecule can damage DNA far from target site
Researchers warn of unwanted side effects with genome editing chaperone
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ResearchIontronic gel droplets detect beating heart tissue
Microscale hydrogels converted into biocompatable electrical components
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ResearchIsotope analysis reveals ‘mundane’ origins of remarkable dinosaur fossil site
Collapsing burrows, not volcanoes, killed the dinosaurs in China’s Yixian Formation
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ResearchScientists uncover the chemistry of the corpse flower’s potent stench
The noxious smell comes from a mixture of putrescine and sulfur compounds
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OpinionWhat are the limits of life?
In search of design principles that would apply to living systems evolved anywhere in the universe
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ResearchTomato sweetness boosted by gene editing to knock out two genes
Glucose and fructose levels were increased by 30%
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ResearchParrots’ vibrant plumage controlled by single enzyme
Mutation in gene reveals control of red and yellow pigments specific to parrots
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FeatureBattery-free bioelectronic implants
Spurred by advances in energy-harvesting materials, a new generation of advanced implantable biomedical devices is emerging that does away with the bulky battery. James Mitchell Crow reports
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ResearchEasy to remove tag could make mRNA synthesis for vaccines quicker and cheaper
Chemical synthesis takes another step towards overtaking more complex enzymatic routes
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ResearchMineral-extracting microorganism could solve early Earth’s nitrogen-fixing mystery
Ancient microorganisms could have extracted vital nitrogen compounds using molybdenum mined from rocks
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FeatureHow AI protein structure prediction and design won the Nobel prize
David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper won this year’s Nobel prize in chemistry. Jamie Durrani investigates the origins of a biochemistry revolution
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ResearchStudy shows how bacterium tweaks its lipopolysaccharides to survive chill of Antarctic lake
Adaptations seem at odds with survival strategies adopted by related species
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NewsExplainer: Why have protein design and structure prediction won the 2024 Nobel prize in chemistry?
Research that has taken us from sequence to structure and back again
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NewsProtein design and structure prediction wins chemistry Nobel prize
David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper were rewarded for creating computational tools to design proteins and predict their structures that have ‘revolutionised biological chemistry’
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NewsmicroRNA discovery wins Nobel prize in medicine
Research on tiny RNA molecules unlocked mysteries of gene regulation and cell differentiation
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NewsExplainer: what is ricin?
The poison found in castor beans so deadly a single molecule can kill a cell
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WebinarThe science and promise of liquid biopsies: improving cancer treatment
Learn how liquid biopsies are being used to identify cancer and improve patient outcomes