Biochemistry

Cosmic rays may have given right-handed genetic helixes an evolutionary edge at the beginning of life’s history.

Mitochondria are most famous as sources of metabolic energy. But by splitting and combining, they can also release chemical signals to regulate cell activities, including the generation of neurons.

A virus that causes crippling birth defects has been shown to do something else: It changes thousands of messages coming from DNA that control normal cellular activities.

Bioluminescent organisms have evolved dozens of times over the course of life’s history. Recent studies are narrowing in on the complicated biochemistry needed to illuminate the dark.

Scientists have discovered building blocks similar to those in modern RNA that can effortlessly assemble when mixed in water and heated.