Scientists at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biophysical Chemistry and the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) have determined the molecular mechanism of the first step of RNA processing in human mitochondria. This step is carried out by an enzyme complex called mitochondrial ribonuclease P (mtRNase P). The scientists visualized the structure of this molecular RNA cutting machine using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). This reveals for the first time how mitochondrial RNAs are cut, and explains why mutations in the involved proteins lead to disease in humans.

Process analysis technology permeates every aspect of pharmaceutical production — Improved process understanding, higher process reliability, and fewer rejects: PAT techniques can achieve all this and more.

Bruker announced the launch of the new Q4 Polo, a compact Spark Optical Emission Spectrometer (OES) with high analytical performance for a multitude of applications across the metals industry.

By automating and miniaturizing a key process, the Germany based global player Symrise has succeeded in increasing the productivity of its flavors and fragrances development in a sustainable manner, reducing the use of costly ingredients.

Of course you do. You’re probably a scientist yourself. A few interesting statistics reveal how political views influence the trust factor.

Researchers have succeeded in developing a microbial method for the production of an artificial grape flavor. Methyl anthranilate (Mant) is a common grape flavoring and odorant compound currently produced through a petroleum-based process that uses large volumes of toxic acid catalysts.

The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian for their discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch.

The Ig Nobel Prizes honour scientific achievements that “should first make people laugh and then make them think”. The spoof prizes, first awarded by the US journal Annals of Improbable Research in 1991, have long since acquired cult status among scientists. This year’s chemistry award recognizes a study that proves the connection between the air in cinemas and different age ratings. The study was carried out in cooperation between the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry and the University of Mainz.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 has been awarded to Benjamin List of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany and David W.C. MacMillan, Princeton University, USA, for their development of a precise new tool for molecular construction called organocatalysis.

MIT neuroscientists are exploring how the brain handles hierarchical decision-making processes. They identified a brain circuit that helps break decisions down into smaller pieces.