{"title":"Is educational research science, superstition or confidence trick?","authors":"Keith S. Taber","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00582-6","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00582-6","url":null,"abstract":"Chemistry education research is a well-established field that has the potential to inform chemistry teaching at all levels. But to the uninitiated, much of the work can seem descriptive while quantitative studies often suffer from a lack of reproducibility. Here I delve into these characteristics and explain why this should not deter chemistry teachers from engaging.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 3","pages":"153-154"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139733612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shuo Yang, Bas W. A. Bögels, Fei Wang, Can Xu, Hongjing Dou, Stephen Mann, Chunhai Fan, Tom F. A. de Greef
{"title":"DNA as a universal chemical substrate for computing and data storage","authors":"Shuo Yang, Bas W. A. Bögels, Fei Wang, Can Xu, Hongjing Dou, Stephen Mann, Chunhai Fan, Tom F. A. de Greef","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00576-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00576-4","url":null,"abstract":"DNA computing and DNA data storage are emerging fields that are unlocking new possibilities in information technology and diagnostics. These approaches use DNA molecules as a computing substrate or a storage medium, offering nanoscale compactness and operation in unconventional media (including aqueous solutions, water-in-oil microemulsions and self-assembled membranized compartments) for applications beyond traditional silicon-based computing systems. To build a functional DNA computer that can process and store molecular information necessitates the continued development of strategies for computing and data storage, as well as bridging the gap between these fields. In this Review, we explore how DNA can be leveraged in the context of DNA computing with a focus on neural networks and compartmentalized DNA circuits. We also discuss emerging approaches to the storage of data in DNA and associated topics such as the writing, reading, retrieval and post-synthesis editing of DNA-encoded data. Finally, we provide insights into how DNA computing can be integrated with DNA data storage and explore the use of DNA for near-memory computing for future information technology and health analysis applications. DNA has emerged as an attractive substrate for molecular information processing. This Review explores the application of DNA for computing and data storage, as well as the route to integrate these fields.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 3","pages":"179-194"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139713623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Subhajit Bhattacharjee, Stuart Linley, Erwin Reisner
{"title":"Solar reforming as an emerging technology for circular chemical industries","authors":"Subhajit Bhattacharjee, Stuart Linley, Erwin Reisner","doi":"10.1038/s41570-023-00567-x","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-023-00567-x","url":null,"abstract":"The adverse environmental impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and persistent waste accumulation are driving the demand for sustainable approaches to clean-energy production and waste recycling. By coupling the thermodynamically favourable oxidation of waste-derived organic carbon streams with fuel-forming reduction reactions suitable for producing clean hydrogen or converting CO2 to fuels, solar reforming simultaneously valorizes waste and generates useful chemical products. With appropriate light harvesting, catalyst design, device configurations and waste pre-treatment strategies, a range of sustainable fuels and value-added chemicals can already be selectively produced from diverse waste feedstocks, including biomass and plastics, demonstrating the potential of solar-powered upcycling plants. This Review highlights solar reforming as an emerging technology that is currently transitioning from fundamental research towards practical application. We investigate the chemistry and compatibility of waste pre-treatment, introduce process classifications, explore the mechanisms of different solar reforming technologies, and suggest appropriate concepts, metrics and pathways for various deployment scenarios in a net-zero-carbon future. This Review introduces solar reforming as an emerging technology to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals from diverse waste feedstocks using sunlight. The chemistry and concept of solar reforming, suggestions of key metrics and proposed directions to realize solar-powered refineries for a future circular economy are discussed.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 2","pages":"87-105"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139642543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improving the quantum cycle","authors":"Alexander Rosu-Finsen","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00583-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00583-5","url":null,"abstract":"Providing a stable and reliable supply of electrons is crucial for the future of quantum computing processors. Here, electron withdrawing groups are added to species which improve the flow of electrons.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 2","pages":"82-82"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139576125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sandra Kovachka, Marc Panosetti, Benedetto Grimaldi, Stéphane Azoulay, Audrey Di Giorgio, Maria Duca
{"title":"Small molecule approaches to targeting RNA","authors":"Sandra Kovachka, Marc Panosetti, Benedetto Grimaldi, Stéphane Azoulay, Audrey Di Giorgio, Maria Duca","doi":"10.1038/s41570-023-00569-9","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-023-00569-9","url":null,"abstract":"The development of innovative methodologies to identify RNA binders has attracted enormous attention in chemical biology and drug discovery. Although antibiotics targeting bacterial ribosomal RNA have been on the market for decades, the renewed interest in RNA targeting reflects the need to better understand complex intracellular processes involving RNA. In this context, small molecules are privileged tools used to explore the biological functions of RNA and to validate RNAs as therapeutic targets, and they eventually are to become new drugs. Despite recent progress, the rational design of specific RNA binders requires a better understanding of the interactions which occur with the RNA target to reach the desired biological response. In this Review, we discuss the challenges to approaching this underexplored chemical space, together with recent strategies to bind, interact and affect biologically relevant RNAs. This Review highlights the strategies and challenges for targeting RNA with small molecules in medicinal chemistry. It emphasizes their potential as drugs and tools for understanding complex biological processes while encouraging chemists to contribute to this field for future advances.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 2","pages":"120-135"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139567319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rohan J. Hudson, Thomas S. C. MacDonald, Jared H. Cole, Timothy W. Schmidt, Trevor A. Smith, Dane R. McCamey
{"title":"A framework for multiexcitonic logic","authors":"Rohan J. Hudson, Thomas S. C. MacDonald, Jared H. Cole, Timothy W. Schmidt, Trevor A. Smith, Dane R. McCamey","doi":"10.1038/s41570-023-00566-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-023-00566-y","url":null,"abstract":"Exciton science sits at the intersection of chemical, optical and spin-based implementations of information processing, but using excitons to conduct logical operations remains relatively unexplored. Excitons encoding information could be read optically (photoexcitation–photoemission) or electrically (charge recombination–separation), travel through materials via exciton energy transfer, and interact with one another in stimuli-responsive molecular excitonic devices. Excitonic logic offers the potential to mediate electrical, optical and chemical information. Additionally, high-spin triplet and quintet (multi)excitons offer access to well defined spin states of relevance to magnetic field effects, classical spintronics and spin-based quantum information science. In this Roadmap, we propose a framework for developing excitonic computing based on singlet fission (SF) and triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA). Various molecular components capable of modulating SF/TTA for logical operations are suggested, including molecular photo-switching and multi-colour photoexcitation. We then outline a pathway for constructing excitonic logic devices, considering aspects of circuit assembly, logical operation synchronization, and exciton transport and amplification. Promising future directions and challenges are identified, and the potential for realizing excitonic computing in the near future is discussed. Performing logical operations with molecular excitons may provide opportunities for developing ultrafast, subnanometre and biocompatible computational architectures. This Roadmap outlines a framework for using multiexcitonic processes such as singlet fission and triplet–triplet annihilation to drive logical devices.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 2","pages":"136-151"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139550948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Like will reduce like","authors":"Johannes Kreutzer","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00581-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00581-7","url":null,"abstract":"The reduction of molecular species containing arene to alkali metal cation interactions with other alkali metals has been found to contradict the expectation provided by simple considerations of relative reduction potentials.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 2","pages":"84-84"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139522691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Lithium chooses the channel","authors":"Stephanie Greed","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00577-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00577-3","url":null,"abstract":"By drawing inspiration from ion transport in biology, researchers have developed highly selective channels for the separation and enrichment of Li+ ions from complex aqueous solutions.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 2","pages":"83-83"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139522694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alessia Munzone, Vincent G. H. Eijsink, Jean-Guy Berrin, Bastien Bissaro
{"title":"Publisher Correction: Expanding the catalytic landscape of metalloenzymes with lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases","authors":"Alessia Munzone, Vincent G. H. Eijsink, Jean-Guy Berrin, Bastien Bissaro","doi":"10.1038/s41570-024-00580-8","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-024-00580-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 2","pages":"152-152"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41570-024-00580-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139521504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Voltammetric drug testing makes sense at the border","authors":"Robin Van Echelpoel, Karolien De Wael","doi":"10.1038/s41570-023-00571-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41570-023-00571-1","url":null,"abstract":"The European BorderSens project leverages voltammetric sensors, developed with end-users’ input, to rapidly and accurately detect illicit drugs. By embracing practicalities and validation, this technology has the potential to combat the illicit drug problem.","PeriodicalId":18849,"journal":{"name":"Nature reviews. Chemistry","volume":"8 2","pages":"79-81"},"PeriodicalIF":36.3,"publicationDate":"2024-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139432644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}