https://phys.org/chemistry-news/biochemistry/ en-us The latest news on biochemistry Researchers have developed a technique for detecting and measuring the concentration of many rare-earth elements in plants, without destroying the plant. The technique can be used to optimize "plant mining" efforts, in which plants take up and concentrate these critical materials so that they can be harvested for practical use. The paper is published in the journal Plant Direct. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-technique-rare-earth-metals.html Biochemistry Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:50:01 EDT news695575922 The molecular structure of an enzyme from a marine bacterium with potential industrial uses has been determined by RIKEN researchers. The insights they have gained could help make a range of useful compounds through genetic modification. The research is published in the journal Chemical Science. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-marine-sponge-bacterium-enzyme-reveals.html Biochemistry Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:10:02 EDT news695490542 A research team at Leipzig University has identified a mechanism in adhesion G protein-coupled receptors (adhesion GPCRs), a specific group of membrane receptors. This mechanism is essential for the activity of many of these receptors. The study, published in Nature Communications, shows that a specific interaction between two amino acids is indispensable for the self-cleavage of these receptors. This insight could pave the way for new therapies for cancer, neurological disorders and inflammatory diseases associated with malfunctioning adhesion GPCRs. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-hidden-receptor-paths-cancer-neurological.html Biochemistry Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:40:04 EDT news695482322 Researchers have developed a molecular "light switch" for the so-called love hormone oxytocin, offering new insights into how social behavior, partnership bonding, emotions, and mental health are wired in the brain. Professor Markus Muttenthaler from UQ's Institute for Molecular Bioscience said a light used at a specific wavelength releases neuropeptides, enabling researchers to observe their effects on individual synapses, neurons, and neuronal circuits. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-scientists-hormone.html Biochemistry Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:33:40 EDT news695464060 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. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-molecular-common-amino-acid-complex.html Biochemistry Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:50:01 EDT news695319182 The mechanics of the onset of cancer or neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease or ALS remain a mystery. Scientists associate these diseases with an increase in unstable molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, but they don't fully know why they form or why these molecules might pose a problem. They also are beginning to determine which parts of cells are to blame for producing ROS. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-cellular-redox-reactions-path-neurodegenerative.html Biochemistry Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:10:06 EDT news695319901 Researchers have developed a method to extract bio-oil from the surface fiber waste of date palm trees, an abundant, low-cost, and sustainable biomass resource generated by an estimated 150 million date palm trees worldwide. The findings are presented in an article published in the journal ACS Omega. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-date-palm-yields-bio-oil.html Biochemistry Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:00:03 EDT news695309941 Researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB) have used engineering biology—an emerging technology that uses nature's own processes to manufacture everyday chemicals and materials—to dramatically simplify how Lenacapavir is manufactured. A novel class of HIV antiretroviral drug, Lenacapavir offers long-acting protection against HIV transmission. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-cheaper-sustainable-breakthrough-hiv-drug.html Biochemistry Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:20:05 EDT news695303581 A research team led by Prof. Sangwon Seo of the Department of Physics and Chemistry at DGIST has developed a catalytic technology that can easily and elaborately assemble key structural frameworks that serve as the scaffold of bioactive compounds. Using an abundantly available and inexpensive nickel (Ni) catalyst, the team has successfully synthesized β-methylene carbonyl derivatives, which form the core framework of many pharmaceuticals, exclusively in a single mirror-image isomer form. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-nickel-catalyst-enables-precision-mirror.html Biochemistry Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:40:05 EDT news694970281 Insecticide-treated bed nets remain one of the most effective tools in malaria prevention, acting both as a physical barrier and as an insecticidal surface that kills or disables mosquitoes before they can transmit disease. New research by a multidisciplinary research team from the University of Liverpool and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) uses surface science to assess how well malaria nets perform. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-surface-chemistry-impacts-malaria-nets.html Biochemistry Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:00:04 EDT news694954561 Undergraduate students at Penn State Brandywine developed an environmentally friendly and easy method to synthesize compounds from plant-derived molecules for potential use in therapeutics. Their work, conducted under the supervision of Penn State Brandywine Assistant Professor of Chemistry Anna Sigmon, was published in a special issue of the journal ACS Omega titled "Undergraduate Research as the Stimulus for Scientific Progress in the U.S." https://phys.org/news/2026-04-greener-route-citrus-derived-therapeutics.html Biochemistry Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:00:05 EDT news694876344 Taking inspiration from how mussels and mistletoe plants build natural fibers and adhesives, researchers at McGill University have developed a new way to manufacture complex materials that could offer a more environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional plastics and glues. The findings are published in the journal Advanced Materials. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-mussels-mistletoe-sustainable-materials.html Biochemistry Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:20:05 EDT news694873142 Creating artificial systems that mimic the functioning of cells is one of the goals of what is known as synthetic biology. These models, known as synthetic or biomimetic cells, allow some of the basic processes of life to be reproduced in the laboratory to better understand how natural cells work and develop new technologies. In this context, a study involving a team of researchers from the Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS) of the University of Santiago (USC) proposes a more flexible chemical strategy to create this type of system. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-advancing-synthetic-cells-flexible-replicate.html Biochemistry Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:10:06 EDT news694712221 A research team at the University of Tokyo has developed a new microscopy platform that can observe a previously hidden layer of biomolecular chemistry linked to weak magnetic fields. The work, led by Project Researcher Noboru Ikeya and Professor Jonathan R. Woodward at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, addresses a long-standing technical gap in life-science measurement: Many important intermediates in spin-dependent reactions are "dark" molecules that do not emit light directly and therefore escape conventional fluorescence imaging. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-fluorescence-imaging-technique-reveals-hidden.html Biochemistry Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:50:01 EDT news694711141 The 19th-century science fiction novel Frankenstein explores the idea of combining artificial materials with human body components, purely as a matter of imagination. Two centuries later, such concepts have become integral to our medical science. Synthetic materials and devices can interface with the body's electrical and chemical systems to restore function—from regulating neural activity in neurodegenerative disorders to managing heart rhythm in cardiovascular diseases. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-polymers-built-body-blood-catalyzed.html Biochemistry Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:00:03 EDT news694688248 Worldwide, billions of people rely on water sources whose hygienic quality is unclear or difficult to monitor. Conventional microbiological analysis methods take up to 24 hours, are costly, and require specialized laboratories for evaluation. These delays complicate the provision of safe drinking water, decision-making during flood events, or in regions with insufficient laboratory infrastructure. Researchers at the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) have now developed a portable rapid test capable of detecting the molecule urobilin at extremely low concentrations. Their study is published in ACS Sensors. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-smartphone-rapid-microbiologically-contaminated-minute.html Biochemistry Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:40:03 EDT news694346643 Many emerging medical technologies rely on seamless integration between biological systems and electronics. This requires materials that are soft, electrically conductive, and biologically active—properties that have been difficult to combine in a single system. Research teams led by Prof. Dr. Ivan Minev (TUD Dresden University of Technology, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden) and by Dr. Christoph Tondera (Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden and Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden at TUD) have now developed such a material. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-hydrogel-enables-electrical-biochemical.html Biochemistry Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:20:05 EDT news694182121 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. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-ultrarobust-machinelearning-stable-molecular-simulations.html Biochemistry Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:40:07 EDT news694174261 Antibiotics, our infantry against bacteria, are losing their ability to fight against bacterial infections due to the rise of superbugs—microbes that have developed resistance to medications that are designed to kill them. In a recent study, researchers have developed a way to chemically modify common antibiotics like erythromycin A, clarithromycin, and azithromycin to help them fight drug-resistant bacteria. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-catalyst-enables-antibiotic-redesign-resistant.html Biochemistry Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:40:01 EDT news694089419 Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have, for the first time, deciphered key steps in the biosynthetic mechanism of the potential anti-cancer agent fostriecin. The team led by Prof. Dr. Frank Hahn has succeeded in producing all enzymes involved in the process in the laboratory and examining them individually under controlled conditions. In the long term, the findings may pave the way for more efficient production of the compound and open up new avenues in cancer therapy. The researchers have published their findings in Nature Communications. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-potential-anti-cancer-agent-stalled.html Biochemistry Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:40:05 EDT news694102321 A team at Helmholtz Munich and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has developed a new microscopy technique that can distinguish lipid species in living cells—in particular cholesterol and sphingomyelin—and map them without the need for chemical labeling. By combining mid-infrared illumination with optoacoustic detection, the method reads the lipids' natural spectral fingerprints, eliminating the need for specific fluorescent tags, which are laborious to develop and may interfere with lipid function. The team published its results in the journal Nature Methods. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-dyes-cell-stress-mid-infrared.html Biochemistry Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:20:05 EDT news694101697 Hair damaged by dyes, bleaching or harsh sunlight has just got special treatment. Green chemistry researchers at Flinders University are experimenting with plant-based oils to develop a promising new structural keratin-type repair application to reduce breakage and improve hair health. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-eco-friendly-hair-natural-personal.html Biochemistry Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:00:04 EDT news693496754 A new study from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), in collaboration with Uppsala University (Sweden) and AstraZeneca, shows how computational chemistry and supercomputers can help scientists better understand the fundamental mechanisms of life, specifically those of human cells. This research was conducted by the Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Unit, led by Marco De Vivo at IIT in Genoa, and was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-supercomputer-simulations-spliceosome-motions-million.html Biochemistry Sat, 28 Mar 2026 17:50:01 EDT news693761383 Researchers at the University of Seville's Food Color and Quality Laboratory have studied the effects of different cooking methods used for tomatoes and carrots (in the oven, microwave or air fryer, among others) on the amount of carotenoids that are potentially available for absorption by the body following the digestion of these foods. According to the study, the bioavailability index varies significantly depending on how these foods are cooked. Carotenoids are compounds of great importance due to their positive health effects. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-microwave-carrots-air-fry-tomatoes.html Biochemistry Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:20:01 EDT news693834301 A research team led by Professor Jaehoon Kim at Sungkyunkwan University and Dr. Dong Ki Lee at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has developed a highly efficient catalytic process that electrochemically converts lignin, a key component of woody biomass, into value-added aromatic compounds and cyclohexene-based compounds. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-recalcitrant-lignin-bonds-electricity-conversion.html Biochemistry Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:20:07 EDT news693824822 Amebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the microscopic protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. Infection occurs through the ingestion of cysts from contaminated water or food. Worldwide, approximately 50 million symptomatic cases are estimated annually, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-fungal-molecules-drug-chem-bio.html Biochemistry Thu, 26 Mar 2026 23:30:01 EDT news693760947 A research team led by Prof. Sun Jianwei has achieved an advancement in organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry by developing an air-stable chiral phosphine-catalyzed enantioselective approach to synthesize enantioenriched S(IV)-stereogenic vinyl sulfinamides—an under-explored class of organosulfur compounds with promising antiviral activity. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-organocatalytic-strategy-metal-free-route.html Biochemistry Wed, 25 Mar 2026 22:20:01 EDT news693652571 A research team led by Purdue University's W. Andy Tao has discovered a new type of protein modification related to cellular mutation that impairs a crucial enzyme's ability to help drive energy processes. Their discovery, published in Nature Chemistry, opens a new route to therapeutic cancer intervention. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-protein-modification-discovery-cancer-therapy.html Biochemistry Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:40:06 EDT news693669482 The National Deuteration Facility has developed a capability to use a flow chemistry process to increase efficiency, increase production capacity and reduce decomposition in the synthesis of deuterated molecules. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-scalable-chemistry-deuteration-fatty-acids.html Biochemistry Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:20:01 EDT news693655621 Biodiesel is a renewable fuel and offers a sustainable and potentially carbon-neutral alternative to petroleum products. Yet production costs remain a hurdle to its widespread use. Now, researchers have developed an inexpensive way to make biodiesel from materials found along the banks of their Louisiana bayou: algae and oyster shells. The researchers will present their results at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS Spring 2026), held in Atlanta from March 22 to 26. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-combining-algae-oyster-shells-biodiesel.html Biochemistry Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:04 EDT news693564757