Researchers develop a new two-layer coating for medical devices that dramatically reduces the chance of infection.
Category: Biological
More than SPF: Some Common Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid
Buying sunscreen? Take a look at the ingredients list first.
Engineering dicarboxylic acid production
Article Title: One-pot biocatalytic route from cycloalkanes to α,ω‐dicarboxylic acids by designed Escherichia coli consortiaAuthors: Wang, F.; Zhao, J.; Li, Q. et al.Journal: Nat. Commun.Year: 2021DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18833-7 Many common household items such as adhesives, perfumes, and antibiotics are constructed from simple, industrially produced chemical precursors. Production…
Polishing a Drug Lead: A Replacement for Opioids Reaches Clinical Trials
Many molecules can decrease enzymatic breakdown of our body’s natural painkillers…but which one is fit to be the best new drug?
Discovery of an oxygen-independent method for producing plasmalogens
How gut microbes produce lipid plasmalogens
A Bright New Method to Survey RNA-Small Molecule Interactions
With a growing interest in the field of RNA-targeted therapeutics, robust platforms to study RNA small-molecule interactions are needed. Read about the latest endeavor here!
Pathogenic E. coli Can Survive Stomach Acid…For Now
Infected cattle can transmit E. coli to humans through contaminated ground beef, but scientists are looking for a solution.
Harnessing bacteria to become royalty
Engineering bacteria to make the dye ‘royal purple’
Masked Entry – Increasing cell permeability of large molecules
Developing a drug that is able to enter the cell and interact with its target is no mean feat, especially for large molecules. Read about how this group ‘masked’ large molecules to improve their cell permeability.
Molecular tweezers pick viral membranes apart
While most scientists search for specific treatments for viruses like Ebola, Zika and SARS-Cov-2, non-specific methods can have broad impact. Researchers from the United States and Germany joined forces to make non-specific molecular “tweezers” that pluck pieces out of its membrane, leading to disintegrating and dead viruses.
The Smell of Rain Has a Biological Function
The earthy smell of soil originates from the bacteria that live there. But why do they produce this particular scent?
Unveiling cryptic compounds
How do you get microbes to produce cryptic compounds?
#BlackInChem: Science & Equity go hand in hand – Ayanna Jones
Ayanna Jones, a PhD student and passionate advocate for representation in science, shares her story and advice on making chemistry more inclusive
Biochemical Circuits: Modular Systems for Disease Detection
Instead of the wires, batteries, and light bulbs used in electric circuits, biochemical circuits use DNA and enzymes to get the job done.
Combating Viral Infection with Shape-Matching
Researchers developed a new way of tackling viral infection by designing nanostructures similar in shape to the virus particle.
An alternative to isolating plant drugs
Discovery of the biosynthesis of a FDA-approved plant drug
Melanin nanoparticles to better protect our cells
How does melanin protect cells from damaging radiation? How can this ability be improved?
Life in the Hot Springs: Bacterial Tricks for Thermal Stability
When cooking an egg, heat denatures proteins in the egg. How does a thermophilic bacteria prevent its proteins from denaturing too?
Eating Spices could Boost Your Immune System
An interesting correlation has been discovered between consumption of spices and a lower fatality rate from COVID-19.
Release the molecule! Photolabile protecting groups
How do you design a “cage” for a molecule? And how do you release it again, selectively? Find out about a rationally designed red-light labile protecting group.
“Mix n’ Match” Metabolisms
“Jailbreaking” your smartphone is one thing—but what if you could jailbreak nature itself?
3D printed blood vessels allow easy monitoring and experimentation
Paper: ECM-based microchannel for culturing in vitro vascular tissues with simultaneous perfusion and stretch Journal: Lab on a Chip Authors: Azusa Shimizu, Wei Huang Goh, Shun Itai, Michinao Hashimoto, Shigenori Miurad and Hiroaki Onoe Year: 2020 Featured Image: Jesus Leonardo Rondon Tapia–Creative Commons License Inflammation or…
A new link between the gut microbiome and ourselves
Sphingolipids – a new gut microbiota molecule that impacts host health
Harnessing an enzyme’s full potential by locking it in a protein cage
Researchers use a naturally crystalline protein to act as a cage to hold another enzyme. This assembly can then be used to turn waste cooking oil into biodiesel.
Catching it Early: New Ways of Detecting Coronavirus
Coronavirus has affected every one of us directly or indirectly. Early detection can lower the spread of the disease. Let’s learn about a new technique for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.