Author: Emi Schutz

Using microbes to make natural products

Microbial systems can be a great way to make complicated products that are useful to humans. However, because the pathways to make these products involve multiple steps and can be very complex, sometimes it’s just too difficult for one species to accomplish on its own. But working as a team with another species of microbe can have its own problems. How can researchers decide which way is best?

Unlocking the full potential of graphene

Graphene: the thinnest, strongest and most flexible material on earth. When it was first discovered in 2004 we were promised technology like solar cells, flexible electronics, superconductors and faster semiconductors. But it’s now nearly 15 years since the discovery of graphene, and it hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype. Recently, researchers discovered the key to unlocking graphene’s full potential.

‘Optical Tweezers’ give new insights to cancer drugs

By using a technique that allows researchers to study single molecules, scientists have gained new knowledge about how a common anti-cancer drug interacts with DNA. These findings can help explain the properties of the drug and help scientists discover novel r anti-cancer treatments with improved effectiveness.