Molecular complexity as a signature of life

Oct, Tue, 2026
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An abundance of complex molecules has been proposed as a universal signature of life.

Blue-light labeling uncovers unexpected protein partners of folded DNA structures
DNA can be more than just a double helix. When four strands are folded into a compact bundle, they form a G-quadruplex (G4). These bundles form in guanine-rich regions across the genome, including telomeres at the ends of chromosomes and the control regions of genes, where the proteins that dock onto them help decide which genes are switched on. G4 does not act the same way everywhere. What it does depends on where it forms and which proteins bind to it. This is why understanding the interactions surrounding G4 is so important.
What happens when food-safety chemicals react with food?
Following the major Cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, consumers might assume that produce labeled "triple-washed" offers greater protection from foodborne illness. But industrial washing cannot necessarily eliminate pathogens already established on produce. At the same time, the disinfectants used during processing may react with the food itself, creating new compounds whose effects on human health are not yet fully understood.
Molecular complexity as a signature of life
An abundance of complex molecules has been proposed as a universal signature of life.
Fluorescent test speeds screening of thousands of enzyme variants that modify plant compounds
Many natural plant compounds have promising health-related properties, but their poor water solubility can limit how effectively they are absorbed and used. In previous work, researchers discovered an enzyme from Bacillus subtilis, called phenolic phosphate synthetase (BsPPS), that can attach phosphate groups to a broad range of phenolic compounds. This modification can help make these compounds more water-soluble and support the development of improved nutraceuticals and related products.
Enzymes become sturdy beads that could support more sustainable chemical production
Thanks to enzyme-based biocatalysis, an enormous range of pharmaceutical active ingredients and other complex molecules can be synthesized in an environmentally friendly manner. Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now developed a technology that allows to assemble enzymes into millimeter-sized, storable beads. In this process, the enzymes not only act as catalysts but also constitute the beads' material itself. In a further variant, the enzyme networks can be combined with living cells. A patent application has been filed for the technology. The results have been published in Advanced Materials.