Molecular biology

Analysis and Comment (3)

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Maybe we’re not as different as we’d like to think. pcgn7

Talk it over: language, uniquely, makes us human

By Amy Marshall, Centenary Institute

We humans tend to consider ourselves apart from other species. But we’re not really so different. So what makes us unique? I’d say it’s language, though not everyone would agree. Some people insist it…
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We’re all familiar with the double helix structure so vital to life, but DNA can take other forms. ctbroek/Flickr

Explainer: quadruple-helix DNA

By Friederike Mansfeld

DNA has been called many things: the king of molecules, the blueprint of life, and less excitingly but perhaps more accurately, the genetic code. DNA’s double helix, discovered in 1953 by James Watson…
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How do you remember where you’ve been if you don’t have a brain? Tanya Latty

The brainless slime mould that remembers where it’s been

By Chris Reid

We humans use our large brains to make and store maps of our environment; maps we then use everyday for getting around and for recalling where we’ve been. But we are nothing special – many other animals…

Research Briefs (7)

Is AEG an ancient genetic molecule?

Weber State University

AEG – a small molecule that can link into chains, which has been synthesised and studied by the pharmaceutical industry…

Discovery into plant immunity

Nature

An important cog in the molecular machinery of plant immunity discovered by researchers could help ensure food security…

Human cells know when to zip it

Tel Aviv University

We’ve known for a while that human cells “talk” to one another, but new research has found thy know when to shut up, too…

Participants (39)