Biology – Page 12
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OpinionFrom prebiotic soup to fine-grained RNA world
Theories about how life emerged need to be closely attuned to conditions on the early Earth
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ResearchLight-activated cancer treatment uses tumour-targeting enzymes to cut side effects
Enzymatic activation of a photosensitive prodrug in cancerous cells shows promise in mice
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ResearchFossil molecules reveal dinosaurs’ bird-like metabolism
Thioethers preserved in bones show that most dinosaurs were warm-blooded, though T rex may have been particularly sluggish
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ResearchBreaking bacteria’s genetic silence to synthesise antibiotics that evade resistance
Prospecting in bacterial genomes offers hope in search for new antimicrobial drugs
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ResearchGene therapy showcases technique to extend life in mice
Lab mice lived significantly longer after receiving one of two genes, delivered using a mouse herpes virus
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BusinessWhat is the future of Covid-19 pharmaceuticals?
Firms anticipate long-term markets for prevention and treatment
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OpinionAn idea that clicked
Bioorthogonal reactions – doing chemistry inside living cells without blasting everything in sight – are no mean feat
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OpinionCarolyn Bertozzi: ‘Shooting hoops is very meditative’
The celebrated chemical biologist who dreamed of being a rock star before inventing the field of bioorthogonal chemistry
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FeatureThe bioorthogonal revolution
A set of reactions operating silently inside live cells or whole animals are lighting up chemical biology and inspiring new medicines, James Mitchell Crow finds
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OpinionIs there a natural order in which complex objects appear?
Assembly theory suggests there might be
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Feature3D printing adds another dimension
Nina Notman learns how 4D printing is opening the door to unique smart materials whose applications may only be limited by our imaginations
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ResearchCancer progression and harmful bacteria tracked with next-generation sequencing
Proof-of-principle study keeps an eye on leukaemia mutations and bacterial strains in patients
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FeatureThe incredible antibodies of sharks, llamas and camels
Sharks and llamas share a strange quirk of their immune systems. Hayley Bennett finds out how their ‘nanobodies’ could help us tackle Covid and a host of other diseases
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ResearchLife’s handedness could have arisen spontaneously on Earth
New insight into the origins of homochirality point to adaptation to energy sources as driver
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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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ResearchFreeze–thaw cycles could explain how ancient RNA replicated without enzymes
Discovery solves puzzle of RNA world hypothesis
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FeatureLife’s chemistry goes through the looking glass
Chemists were taught that natural systems only use L-amino acids. Andy Extance finds out just how wrong that is proving
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NewsChemistry Nobel laureate Sidney Altman dies at 82
Canadian–American molecular biologist won the 1989 prize for discovering RNA’s catalytic ability