Molecular

Experiencing a traumatic event sometimes produces long-lasting biological changes that can lead to an exaggerated fear response to future stressful events, such as what occurs in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Nature is the foremost international weekly scientific journal in the world and is the flagship journal for Nature Portfolio. It publishes the finest peer-reviewed research in all fields of science and technology on the basis of its originality, importance, interdisciplinary interest, timeliness, accessibility, elegance and surprising conclusions. Nature publishes landmark papers, award winning news, leading comment and expert opinion on important, topical scientific news and events that enable readers to share the latest discoveries in science and evolve the discussion amongst the global scientific community.

Ringed seals are among the most common marine mammals in the Canadian Arctic. They strongly rely on sea ice as a habitat, breathing through holes they maintain in the frozen surface, giving birth in snow lairs and diving beneath the ice to hunt Arctic cod and small crustaceans.

Living systems such as cells rely on membrane pores and channels to transport molecules, exchange signals, and organize biochemical reactions. These functions emerge from dynamic interactions between molecular components. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have used DNA nanotechnology to develop a synthetic membrane architecture that mimics such interactions. The new platform enables coordinated molecular transport and programmable biochemical reactions inside an artificial compartment.

Researchers have identified a key protein that may help failing hearts regain function, offering new insight into why some hearts recover while others do not.

Since their discovery in the 1950s, metallocenes—chemical compounds where a metal atom sits "sandwiched" between two carbon rings—have been at the heart of organometallic chemistry research, finding applications in catalysis, materials design, energy, sensing, drug delivery and more. Yet knowledge of their formation has been limited, due to the transient nature of their unstable intermediates.

Sens. Diagn.DOI: 10.1039/D6SD00037A, Paper Open Access   This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.Melania Mesas Gómez, Daniel Ropero Gil, Bárbara Molina-Moya, Arnau Pallarès-Rusiñol, Jofre Ferrer-Dalmau, Esther Julián, José Domínguez, María Isabel PividoriA portable TB molecular workflow couples double-tagging PCR with magnetic electrochemical genosensing in a disposable cartridge, enabling sensitive detection with battery-operated instrumentation.To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

Scientists at VIB and Vrije Universiteit Brussel have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that helps a widely used biological pesticide become more effective. The study, published in Nature Communications, reveals how bacteria produce ultra-strong protein fibers that form a molecular net, trapping infectious spores and toxins into a sticky film that enhances their ability to kill insect pests.

The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN), in collaboration with the SWOG Cancer Research Network (SWOG), has launched a new initiative to analyze paired original and recurrent tumor specimens from two practice-changing breast cancer clinical trials.

Sens. Diagn.DOI: 10.1039/D6SD00020G, Paper Open Access   This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.Negar Heidari, Nogol D. Moghaddam, Sharmin Kharrazi, Jahan B. Ghasemi, Melika F. Aghdam, Mahdi Amrollahi Bioyki, Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh, Parviz NorouziH9N2 avian influenza threatens global poultry production and human health through cross-species transmission and its role as a genetic reservoir for emerging influenza strains, underscoring the need for rapid and reliable early detection.To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

Scientists designed a molecular tether than anchors cancer therapeutics to tumor cell membranes, improving drug retention in cell and animal models. The findings establish membrane tethering as a strategy to enhance therapeutic persistence and efficacy. The post Molecular Anchors Help Tumor Therapies Stay Longer on Cancer Cells appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

Researchers at the Stanford School of Medicine have found that ethnicity and geography may influence human molecular makeup - from metabolism and immunity to gut microbiota and biological aging.

A research project led by the Institute for Research in Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA) and the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences at the University of Barcelona, together with the Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB) of the CSIC (which stands for Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), has successfully designed and tested a gluten-degrading molecule that is a promising ally in the management of coeliac disease, an autoimmune disease whose symptoms are triggered by the consumption of gluten and other prolamins found in cereals.

Medications are designed to treat diseased tissues while sparing healthy ones, often by attaching the drug to something that helps guide it directly to its target. But drugs also need time to work, which means they need to stay near the diseased tissues long enough.

Different receptors respond to different neurotransmitters or hormones, such as adrenaline involved in the fight-or-flight response, or dopamine linked to reward and motivation. Both the receptors themselves and the substances they recognize are often very similar, but still make the body react in completely different ways.

Proteins do most of the work in our body's cells. But when a protein is too active or does not function properly, it can lead to disease or other health problems. Researchers from the University of Toronto have discovered a molecule, CLEO4-88, that acts as a "molecular glue," binding together two proteins to inactivate one of them. The finding—enabled by the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan—points to the possibility of one day treating disease by controlling the activity of harmful proteins.

Scientists' discovery of a molecular "switch" that activates an energy‑burning pathway in mice has the potential to lead to new treatments for bone disease.

Entropy gets a bad rap. Typically associated with randomness and chaos, it can also correlate with freedom and diversity. Cornell researchers have found that, thanks to the latter qualities, entropy can help bind certain pairs of molecules faster and more robustly—an approach that could have broad applications in drug development and assembling nanoparticles to form new materials.

Have you ever wondered why freshly brewed coffee smells so delicious, but tastes bitter? New research from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine has revealed the molecular details responsible for the detection of this bitter taste.

Sens. Diagn.DOI: 10.1039/D6SD00048G, Paper Open Access   This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.Erfan Shirzadi, Yue Xu, Mara Jenkins, Jianwen Wang, Sunandan Tandon, Gyorgy J. Jaics, Zoya Leonenko, Mahla PoudinehReagentless electrochemical protein detection is critical for real-time health monitoring. Most currently available electrochemical antibody-based sensors require the addition of external reagents as redox reporters and/or detection antibodies. Here, we...The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

Author(s): Marzena Rams-Baron, Alfred Błażytko, Riccardo Casalini, and Marian PaluchThe long-standing Arrhenius paradox in molecular glasses is resolved by showing that activation energy decreases linearly with temperature as a consequence of density-driven variations of the barrier. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 188202] Published Wed May 06, 2026

Researchers at the University of Alicante (UA) have developed a highly precise method for measuring distances at the nanometer scale at room temperature, opening up new avenues in molecular electronics research. The team, based at the UA Quantum Transport Laboratory (QT-Lab), has also identified gold nanocontacts just three atoms thick for the first time, significantly advancing current understanding of electronic transport.

Author(s): Kentaro Yamamoto, Yuta Kikuchi, David Amaro, Ben Criger, Silas Dilkes, Ciarán Ryan-Anderson, Andrew Tranter, Joan M. Dreiling, Dan Gresh, Cameron Foltz, Michael Mills, Steven A. Moses, Peter E. Siegfried, Maxwell D. Urmey, Justin J. Burau, Aaron Hankin, Dominic Lucchetti, John P. Gaebler, Natalie C. Brown, Brian Neyenhuis, and David Muñoz RamoNoise-aware calibration, logical rotation gates, and quantum error-correction gadgets enable a partially fault-tolerant molecular energy computation on a trapped-ion quantum computer. [PRX Quantum 7, 020319] Published Thu Apr 30, 2026

Author(s): Ryan WilkinsonBy combining quantum error correction with fault-tolerant techniques, researchers have improved how accurately a quantum computer estimates a molecule’s energy. [Physics 19, s52] Published Thu Apr 30, 2026

An international team of astronomers has analyzed the data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to investigate giant molecular clouds in nearby galaxies. The new study, presented April 27 on the arXiv preprint server, unveils crucial information regarding the lifetime of more than 100,000 such clouds across 66 galaxies.

A new study led by researchers from VIB and KU Leuven shows that Parkinson's disease can be divided into distinct subtypes, helping explain why a single treatment does not work for all patients. Using an machine-learning-driven analysis, the team identified two main groups and five subgroups of the disease, marking an important step toward more personalized therapies. The findings were recently published in Nature Communications.

From smartphone charging to hydrogen production, the fundamental principles of energy technology have been revealed. Korean researchers have, for the first time, identified how molecular structures change within the ultra-small space called the "electric double layer." The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, opens a new path to simultaneously improve efficiency and performance in battery, hydrogen, and carbon-neutral technologies by reducing energy loss and selectively inducing desired reactions.

Author(s): Jaladhar Mahato, Siyang Wang, and Laura J. KaufmanSingle-molecule measurements and a generalized Langevin framework show that subdiffusive, non-Gaussian probe transport near the glass transition arises from progressively softening viscoelastic confinement. This provides direct microscopic evidence of dynamic heterogeneity and suggests a pathway to more fully understand glassy dynamics in polymer glass formers. #TheoryExperiment #SoftMatterSpotlight [Phys. Rev. E 113, 055401] Published Mon May 04, 2026

During brain development, neurons can regulate their movement until they reach their final destination thanks to a "molecular switch" involving the protein Teneurin 4 (Ten4).

A new study by a team at Tohoku University, published in Chemical Engineering Journal, has shown that more isn't always better when it comes to nanoscale chemical reactions. One might think that giving reactants completely unrestricted access to a speed-boosting catalyst would be the fastest way to drive a chemical reaction. Instead, it was shown that hollow nanoreactors can work more efficiently when transport into the reaction space is slightly restricted.

Sens. Diagn.DOI: 10.1039/D6SD00020G, Paper Open Access   This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.Negar Heidari, Nogol D. Moghaddam, Sharmin Kharrazi, Jahan B. Ghasemi, Melika F Aghdam, Mahdi Amrollahi Biouki, Ebrahim Ghafar-Zadeh, Parviz NorouziH9N2 avian influenza threatens global poultry production and human health through cross-species transmission and its role as a genetic reservoir for emerging influenza strains. This dual risk underscores the urgent...The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

Researchers from the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Fritz Haber Institute and Freie Universität Berlin have revealed the arrangement of water molecules at the interface between liquid water and air. Their findings help to better understand interfacial chemistry, which is largely determined by the specific arrangement of the water molecules. Published in Science Advances, the study shows that one parameter in particular—one that has been neglected until now—is of fundamental importance: the water twist.

Conventional spontaneous Raman spectroscopy of interfacial molecules typically requires plasmonic or electronic enhancement, limiting accessible systems. A nonlinear coherent Raman method now enables direct, high sensitivity detection without such requirements.

Author(s): Nathan McLane, LeAnh Duckett, and Leah G. DodsonThe transitions of hydrogen molecules embedded in a crystal depend on the surroundings—a behavior that could be used to tailor molecular quantum dynamics. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 178002] Published Wed Apr 29, 2026

A UCLA-led international research collaboration has unveiled a new technology that may help scientists better understand how small molecules, including many drugs, bind to proteins. The invention works with an existing lab method called photo-crosslinking. The paper is published in the journal Nature Chemistry.

Trying to untangle a knot in a mess of strings can be frustrating and time-consuming. But not so for molecular machines—molecules that convert chemical energy into mechanical work and motion. Machines from the AAA+ family, which exist in the cells of all living organisms from bacteria to humans, can, among their many functions, recognize misfolded protein chains and swiftly unravel them.

Researchers at the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), Japan, and The University of Tokyo, Japan, in collaboration with Kyushu University, Japan, have developed a new class of biocompatible molecular quantum nanosensors (MoQNs) that operate inside living cells.

Sens. Diagn.DOI: 10.1039/D6SD00037A, Paper Open Access   This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.Melania Mesas Gómez, Daniel Ropero Gil, Bárbara Molina-Moya, Arnau Pallarès-Rusiñol, Jofre Ferrer-Dalmau, Esther Julian, José Domínguez, Isabel PividoriTuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the main pathogen responsible. Although several rapid molecular tests endorsed by the World Health Organization...The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

An international team of astronomers has employed the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to perform high-resolution observations of the Needle galaxy. Results of the new observational campaign, presented April 15 on the arXiv preprint server, provide more insights into the properties of molecular gas in this galaxy.

Until now, molecular-level DNA circuits have mainly been used for simple tasks, such as detecting the presence of cancer-related substances. However, these systems have faced a key limitation: once a reaction occurs, the circuits cannot be reused. Overcoming this challenge, a research team has developed a DNA-based molecular computer that operates at a much smaller scale than conventional semiconductor devices, enabling both computation and memory within the same system. This advancement opens up new possibilities for future computing technologies in bio and medical applications, including disease diagnosis.

People who live with obesity are 'tagging' a memory of being overweight on a key part of the immune system - leaving people with ongoing risk of obesity-related conditions years after losing weight, according to a 10 year-long study published in EMBO Reports.

Scientists at UCLA have created one of the first cellular-resolution molecular maps detailing how Down syndrome alters human brain development before birth - a resource that resolves longstanding contradictions in the field and could lay the groundwork for future therapeutic strategies.

A new research paper was published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on April 7, 2026, titled "Association of epigenetic age acceleration with MRI biomarkers of aging and Alzheimer's disease neurodegeneration."

A new study finds that bacteria can actively block the transfer of beneficial genes to neighboring cells, using specialized proteins to specifically destroy shared DNA before it spreads.

Author(s): Rik S. Breebaart, Gianmarco Lazzeri, Roberto Covino, and Peter G. BolhuisA novel path sampling strategy combined with deep learning computes the full committor function in complex systems with high free energy barriers. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 168001] Published Fri Apr 24, 2026

Scientists have developed a unique way to build electronic components so small they are made from chains of individual molecules—creating a toolbox to help build materials that could power the next generation of technology.

How do cells know when to activate or slow down their activity? A team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) provides new insights by studying TORC2, an essential but still poorly understood protein complex. Using ultra-high-resolution imaging, scientists were able to observe its structure in detail for the first time.

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) affect a large portion of the global population and are a common source of chronic jaw pain and difficulty in chewing or speaking.

Simulating how atoms and molecules move over time is a central challenge in computational chemistry and materials science. Classical machine learning approaches to molecular dynamics (MD) encode fundamental physical principles directly into their model architectures, most notably energy conservation and equivariance, the requirement that predicted forces remain consistent regardless of how a molecule is oriented in space. These so-called inductive biases have long been considered essential for reliable, physically meaningful MD models. But are they truly indispensable?

Oregon Health & Science University researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind method to predict cancer patient survival using advanced molecular data from individual cells.

Invisible "dark matter"—what cosmologists call the mysterious glue that holds everything together—is estimated to make up more than a quarter of the universe. In chemistry, dark matter refers to the thousands of small molecules in bone and tissue that can't be identified using mass spectrometry. They make up the vast majority of what's known as metabolites.

Researchers at VIB, VUB, and KU Leuven have identified a tiny binding site, a molecular 'keyhole', in the TRPM3 ion channel, a crucial sensor in pain signaling.

A new analysis of individual brain cells across several human brain regions reveals subtle but widespread differences in gene activity between male and female brains. This may help explain why some psychiatric and neurological disorders appear to affect the biological sexes differently, researchers report.

Scientists from Skoltech and the University of Potsdam have developed a physical theory that sheds light on how molecular motors organize the three-dimensional structure of the genome. Using theoretical polymer physics and computer simulations, the researchers for the first time calculated a universal parameter of this organization—the density of loops formed through active extrusion by cohesin motors in each living cell.

UCLA researchers have identified a rogue population of immune cells that quietly accumulates in aging tissues and in the livers of people with fatty liver disease. Clearing these cells, they found, dramatically reduced inflammation and reversed liver damage in mice - even while the animals remained on an unhealthy diet.

How do organic solar cells work on the inside? The answer lies in structures far too small to see—and difficult to access even with advanced techniques. So far, researchers have relied mainly on X-ray methods to understand how molecules are arranged within these materials and how this order can be optimized for high efficiency. While powerful, X-rays provide only a spatially averaged picture. Electrons, in contrast, offer a local view at the nanoscale, revealing both structure and chemical composition.

An international team led by researchers at QUT has used artificial intelligence to create tiny "smart" proteins that switch on only when they detect a chosen target. Published in Nature Biotechnology, the research opens the way to a new generation of low-cost biosensors for medicine, environmental monitoring and biotechnology.

In a new study published in Nature Communications, a team of chemists has unveiled a radically simple way to attach a highly sought-after "molecular handle," known as the dichloromethyl group, onto complex compounds. Instead of relying on the aggressive, heavy-metal or radiation-heavy techniques of the past, the team used a common, naturally occurring amino acid called proline to gently choreograph the assembly.

A new study led by researchers at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) reveals why a particular boron-rich molecule, called o-FESAN, behaves in an unusually helpful way, remaining intercalated into DNA even though it was thought it should be repelled by it. The paper is published in the journal Aggregate and builds on research published in 2024 in the Journal of Materials Chemistry B.

Patients with autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of developing lymphoma, a form of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system.

Prion diseases, such as "mad cow," are caused by transmissible proteins that were identified in the 1980s.

The convergence of advances in biology and digital manufacturing is catapulting plant molecular farming to a scalable, cost-effective position relative to microbial, mammalian, and cell-free protein expression systems. The post Plant Molecular Farming Comes of Age appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

Research shows that a copper(II) complex monolayer on graphene maintains strong antiferromagnetic order, key to advancing quantum information technologies.

In a discovery recently published in Nature, MIT chemists led by Professor Alison Wendlandt have developed a precision technique that allows scientists to seamlessly relocate alcohol functional groups from one spot on a molecule to a neighboring site. The paper is titled "Alcohol group migration by proximity-enhanced H atom abstraction."

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have built a molecular "leash" to pull directly on a force-sensing protein called Piezo1, and discovered it switches on at about 15 piconewtons, proving that it can be activated by physical tethers, not only by membrane deformation. The study is published in the journal Nature Sensors.

For the millions of people who carry the gene APOE4, the strongest known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, their brain activity may begin changing long before any memory problems appear.

Control of heat transport in nanostructures is of central importance for numerous modern technologies—from high-performance computer chips that need to be cooled to energy converters—and is a highly active area of research. While great progress has been made in recent years in understanding how heat transport can be influenced by nanostructuring, it was previously unclear whether the replacement of a single atom in a molecule could measurably alter phonon transport—i.e. heat transport through lattice vibrations.

A deadly parasite responsible for sleeping sickness has been found using a surprisingly precise trick to stay hidden in the human bloodstream. Scientists discovered a protein called ESB2 that acts like a “molecular shredder,” cutting up specific genetic instructions as they are produced. This allows the parasite to flood its surface with protective proteins while suppressing other signals that might give it away.

How can cancer cells be targeted without damaging healthy tissue? This is one of the major challenges facing oncology today. Using synthetic DNA strands, a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has created a "smart" system that can recognize cancer cells with exceptional precision and release powerful drugs only where they are needed.

Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have discovered a molecular switch in neurons that limits the regrowth of damaged axonal fibers.

New screening technologies from Garage Brain Science aim to identify abnormal protein signals years before clinical symptoms develop. The post Detecting Disease at Its Molecular Origin appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

Tooth root development relies on precise coordination of cellular signals, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Researchers have uncovered how two proteins, Gli2 and Gli3, work together to control signaling and differentiation in dental progenitor cells.

An integrative Translational Psychiatry study linked BPA exposure to major depressive disorder by identifying 571 shared targets and six core genes, with genetic, transcriptomic, docking, and mouse-model data supporting plausible mechanistic pathways. The strongest signals pointed to AKT1, SRC, PLCG2, and JAK3 as potential contributors, while EGFR appeared protective.

Researchers at The University of Manchester have created a physics‑informed machine‑learning model that can run molecular simulations for unprecedented lengths of time, even at temperatures as high as 1,000 Kelvin. The study, published in Communications Chemistry, explores the first AI-powered model that can keep molecular simulations running safely and smoothly, even when molecules are pushed to extreme conditions. In simple terms, this model stops molecules from "breaking apart" inside the simulation, allowing researchers to study how they behave over long periods and at very high temperatures.

Biomolecular condensates are tiny, droplet-like structures made up of molecules that help organize key processes in living organisms. Because they are so small and constantly changing, it has been difficult for scientists to measure their physical properties or control how they behave. Leiden researchers at the Mashaghi Lab have now discovered a surprising new way to shape and control tiny droplets of molecules found in living organisms. The breakthrough could lead to smarter biomaterials, improve drug delivery and even new insights into the emergence of life on Earth. The work is published in Nature Communications.

Treatment-resistant depression affects a large proportion of people with major depressive disorder, and while ketamine offers rapid relief, its antidepressant effects fade within a few weeks.

African trypanosomes evade immunity by switching surface proteins and using ESB2, an RNA “shredder,” to control gene expression via RNA decay, revealing new vulnerabilities and potential treatments for sleeping sickness. The post African Trypanosomes Use a Molecular Shredder to Avoid Detection in the Bloodstream appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

When patients develop a narrowing or blockage in the bile ducts – the tubes connecting the liver, gallbladder and intestines – physicians must determine whether the cause is cancer or a benign condition.

New research published in Nature Cardiovascular Research reveals that heart failure and atrial fibrillation share underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms, suggesting that the two cardiovascular conditions may be less distinct than previously thought.

When you reach into a bucket of ice, open your front door on a snowy day, or feel the tingle of menthol toothpaste, a protein in your nerve cells called TRPM8 springs into action, opening like a tiny gate to send a "cold" signal to your brain.

Modern polymer materials face a fundamental challenge: they must remain strong and durable during use, yet ideally degrade when they are no longer needed. Designing materials that satisfy both requirements has long been a major challenge in polymer science.

The name might sound like a Nordic god, but it is actually the molecular machinery that allows many different species to eat and grow: fungi, plants, whales, humans, flies. It is the mighty TOR protein. An expedition to Easter Island half a century ago led to its discovery, and today it remains the subject of intense study. Lucas Tafur, a researcher at the National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), has solved the structure of one of the molecular switches that regulate this protein.

LazySlide is an open-source Python package designed to make whole-slide image analysis more accessible and ready to plug into the same computational workflows that already drive modern genomics. The post LazySlide: Open Framework for Integrating Whole-Slide and Molecular Data appeared first on GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.

Imagine that plants could tell us exactly when they're stressed, infected, or being eaten by insects, by lighting up. A new study led by Dr. Karen Sarkisyan, Head of the Synthetic Biology group at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS), has borrowed molecular machinery from mushrooms and inserted it into plants to do just that. In a paper published in Nature Communications, the scientists engineered plants that could glow in the dark whenever their natural immune systems switch on.

The longest chains of the conductive polymer poly(p-phenylene; PPP) produced to date are just under one micrometer (thousandth of a millimeter) long—almost an order of magnitude longer than previously possible. A research team from the fields of chemistry and physics led by Prof. Dr. Michael Gottfried from Marburg University, Germany, has demonstrated for the first time that PPP can be synthesized on surfaces via a specific ring-opening polymerization as genuine chain growth.

Researchers at the Center for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, have developed an accessible platform to overcome the limitations of conventional static docking simulations, offering new avenues for education, training, and reproducible research in molecular recognition and supramolecular chemistry. Their Distance-Guided Fully Dynamic Docking (DFDD) platform is a cloud-ready simulation framework that enables students and researchers to explore dynamic docking, visualize molecular binding in motion, and understand how host-guest crystal structures emerge from molecular interactions.

By placing single-atom-thick adlayers of p-block metals on commonly employed gold electrodes (d-block), a research team at National Taiwan University has successfully quantified the "interfacial hopping integral" between molecules and electrodes. This new model establishes a universal descriptor to predict conductance trends in single-molecule junctions, resolving long-standing variations in molecular measurements.

By placing single-atom p-block metal adlayers on gold electrodes, researchers quantified the interfacial hopping integral, establishing a universal descriptor for single-molecule junction conductance.

The molecular-scale design of materials is one of the major frontiers in modern science. Flat, highly conjugated organic molecules are already used in advanced technologies such as chemical sensors, optoelectronic devices, and energy conversion systems. One of the most promising strategies to enhance their performance involves "linking" multiple units together, extending their electronic structure and thereby modifying their properties.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, and approximately 30% of patients develop treatment-resistant depression (TRD), a condition that does not respond adequately to conventional antidepressant therapies.

Research uncovering the origin of pineoblastoma, a rare pediatric brain tumor, has also revealed a dependency across multiple brain tumor types that share a similar molecular program.

Innate immune sensors—known as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)—detect specific molecular components of bacterial or viral intruders. The PRRs forward the signals which results in the production of interferons, which in turn guide the immune cells. However, until now the precise mechanism of how these signals are forwarded has remained enigmatic.

Electrons can be "kicked across" solar materials at almost the fastest speed nature allows, scientists have discovered, challenging long-held theories about how solar energy systems work. The finding could help researchers design more efficient ways of harvesting sunlight and converting it into electricity. The research is published in Nature Communications.