News Tips From ACS Chemical Biology

Highlights from the American Chemical Society journal, ACS Chemical Biology, are now available. Below is a link to the January 2007 edition.

In the current issue we review new techniques, tools, and resources available to chemical biologists.

* Physically seeing biomolecules in action gives scientists better understanding of how a cell works. This review focuses on advances in flurorescence that allow biologists to better probe the internal workings of cells.

* Precise copying of DNA into RNA in the process of transcription is critical for a cell to live, and poor copying of DNA into RNA can lead to many disease states. The authors here review the latest designer tools that are allowing scientists to glean the molecular details of the transcription process.

* Molecules that can selectively enter cells are great tools for probing the workings of the cell and for treating disease. However, finding molecules that work effectively often requires screening many thousands of candidates. The authors discuss advances in the techniques for finding the needle in the haystack.

* Studying single molecules is an exciting new area in chemical biology. Here, the authors discuss the many new techniques available for observing and probing individual molecules.

* If scientists could precisely understand the response of a cell to a particular perturbation or in a certain disease state, they could develop new and exciting probes and therapies. Mass spectrometry is a sensitive technique that can do this and the authors review the approaches scientists are using to gain insight into cell responses

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http://www.eurekalert.org/jrnls/acs/index.php?page=chemicalbiology.

ACS Chemical Biology is a monthly journal exploring cellular function from both chemical and biological perspectives. In addition to research papers and reviews, the journal also publishes Spotlights of current research in chemical biology, Profiles of experts in the field, and Points of View from leading scientists. The journal web site is updated weekly with new content, and it features a WIKI and Ask the Expert.

The American Chemical Society - the world's largest scientific society - is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

Contact: Michael Woods
American Chemical Society