Shape is all-important for molecules, especially when it comes to a property known as chirality .
A chiral molecule exists in two forms, called enantiomers, that are chemically identical, but are mirror images of each other, and that interact with other molecules in different ways. Chiral molecules have long been used in drug design — and some molecules can even be tailored to interact with the body in enantiomer-specific ways.
I couldn't read this article (behind paywall), but I have long been fascinated with the chirality of organic molecules in cells. Nature is cool no matter how close you look. RIP E.O. Wilson
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nanoparticle asymmetry shapes an immune responseThe chirality, or handedness, of nanoparticles is shown to be a key factor in determining how well such particles engage with the immune system — a finding that might help to inform the design of vaccines and anticancer therapeutics. - Francis Crick, Nobel Prize recipient for discovery of DNA structure: 'Every time I write a paper on the origin of life, I determine I will never write another one, because there is too much speculation running after too few facts.' ('Life Itself,' p. 153)
Source: Nature - 🏆 64. / 68 Read more »
Source: Nature - 🏆 64. / 68 Read more »
Source: POPSUGARMoms - 🏆 117. / 63 Read more »
Source: ScienceMagazine - 🏆 285. / 63 Read more »
How does Omicron spread so fast? A high viral load isn’t the answerData on viral levels point to immune evasion as a cause of the variant’s transmissibility.
Source: Nature - 🏆 64. / 68 Read more »