研究者・留学生向け英文メールニュース 「Tokyo Tech Bulletin No. 60」を配信

Designing DNA From Scratch: Engineering the Functions of Micrometer-Sized DNA Droplets

The droplets exhibit dynamic functions such as fusion, fission, Janus-shape formation, and protein capture. Their technique is expected to be applicable to a wide variety of biomaterials, opening doors to many promising applications in materials design, drug delivery, and even artificial cell-like molecular systems.

New research shows how complex chemistry may be relevant to origins of life on Earth

New research suggests that mixtures of simple organic compounds in water exposed to high energy radiation react to form a variety of more complex organic compounds that could help make RNA.

Small Enzyme-Mimicking Polymers May Have Helped Start Life

ELSI scientists find that small highly branched polymers which may have formed spontaneously on early Earth can mimic modern biological protein enzyme function. These simple catalytic structures may have helped jump start the origins of life.

Running on Empty: New Affordable Catalyst Relies on Nitrogen Vacancies to Produce Ammonia

By exploring a new design concept based around nitrogen vacancies, they created an inexpensive catalyst from abundantly available elements that still achieves state-of-the-art performance.