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rscchembio.rsc.org
RSC Chemical Biology
@rscchembio.rsc.org
410 followers 49 following 84 posts
A gold open-access journal focused on innovative chemical biology tools and their application in exploring and manipulating molecular biological processes.

🌐 Website: rsc.li/rscchembio Published by @rsc.org
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rscchembio.rsc.org
📢New Advance Article: Interested in a #CellFree protocol for subunit-specific protein labelling? Researchers at CNRS Biologie present a new protocol for producing deuterated or methyl-labelled complexes using cell-free technology.
➡️Read the full story: doi.org/10.1039/D5CB...
January 12, 2026 at 1:54 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
📢 #RSCChemBio is sponsoring two poster prizes at the EMBO-EMBL Chemical Biology Workshop 2026!

📅 8 - 11th September 2026
📍 EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
🔗 www.embl.org/about/i...

Submit your abstract by 2nd June 2026 to a part of the event!

EMBO #ChemicalBiology
January 9, 2026 at 6:03 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
📢New research from B Richichi et al presents Tris-BODIPY-OH as a universal scaffold for glycosylated #FluorescentProbes showing improved affinity for target lectins useful for studying lectin trafficking in vitro, in vivo and for #bioimaging applications
👉Get the full story
A nonavalent BODIPY with a multivalent arrangement of α-mannosides enables lectins recognition in fluorescence-based assays
We report here the use of Tris-BODIPY-OH as a scaffold for the multivalent display of sugar heads. A chloroacetyl thioether ligation reaction easily yields mannosylated BODIPYs, named Man9-BODIPY and (Man-TEG)9-BODIPY, which display nine mannose residues. Regardless of the linker length, both glycoBODIPYs provide a
doi.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
Can enzyme activation convert selective kinase inhibitors into targeted prodrugs?

Hinshaw, Gray et al. develop AKR1C3-activated prodrugs designed as targeted CDK11-inhibitors with potential to reduce cytotoxicity and improve the therapeutic window.

➡️ Get the full story:
An AKR1C3-activated kinase inhibitor prodrug
Enzymatically activated prodrugs can enable context-specific target inhibition. AKR1C3 is an NADPH-dependent aldo-ketoreductase involved in androgen metabolism, prostaglandin synthesis, and cell proliferation that is overexpressed in tumors, making it an ideal candidate for tumor-specific prodrug activation. Report
doi.org
January 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
How can #GenomeMining accelerate the discovery of phosphonate #NaturalProduct producers?🦠

New research from @leibniz-dsmz.bsky.social and @unituebingen.bsky.social highlights actinomycetes as a rich source of novel bioactive phosphonates.

👉Read the full article here doi.org/10.1039/D5CB...
Expanding the actinomycetes landscape for phosphonate natural products through genome mining
Phosphonate natural products (P-NPs) represent a unique and underexplored class of bioactive compounds with significant pharmaceutical and biotechnological potential. Many novel P-NPs with promising b...
doi.org
January 2, 2026 at 3:32 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
Can we broaden the scope of core backbone engineering in proteomimetics?
🔎New research from WS Horne et al explores backbone variants of villin headpiece, demonstrating both core residues and solvent-exposed sites are fair game in developing proteomimetics
➡️Read it here:
Backbone engineering in the hydrophobic core of villin headpiece
Changing the backbone connectivity of proteins can impart useful new traits while maintaining essential structural and functional features. In design of artificial proteomimetic agents, backbone modification is usually isolated to sites that are solvent-exposed in the folded state, as similar changes at buried resi
doi.org
December 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM
rscchembio.rsc.org
Exciting results in this Advance Article from researchers @unimont.bsky.social👇

How does a late-stage modification with salicylaldehyde tags enhance peptide affinity for nuclear factor-kappa B essential modulator (NEMO)?

👉Read the full article to find out:
Late-stage peptide modification with salicylaldehyde tag enhances affinity for nuclear factor-kappa B essential modulator
The late-stage peptide functionalization with salicylaldehyde (SA) tags is described here as a versatile design of potential Lys-engaging, reversible-covalent ligands. This approach was applied to a known binder for NEMO, a protein involved in the activation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NFκB. Fluore
doi.org
December 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM
rscchembio.rsc.org
📣New from @byronpurse.bsky.social et al at @sdsuresearch.bsky.social
A nucleobase analogue that lights up only when it pairs right: DEAtC turns on fluorescence through G-templated tautomerism, switching from a dark T-like form to an emissive C-like tautomer.
Read it here
Sequence-specific fluorescence turn-on arises from base pairing-templated tautomerism in the tricyclic cytidine analogue DEAtC
Fluorescent probes for measuring the structure, dynamics, cellular localization, and biochemistry of DNA and RNA are useful for determining the regulatory mechanisms of gene expression. Intrinsically fluorescent, Watson–Crick-capable nucleobase analogues are especially powerful because they can precisely probe desi
doi.org
December 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
We are delighted to share news of an upcoming themed collection on biocatalysis across RSC Chem. Biol., @catalysisscitech.rsc.org, @rscadvances.rsc.org, @reactchemeng.rsc.org to celebrate the careers of Prof. Nicholas Turner and Prof. Sabine Flitsch of @manchester.ac.uk blogs.rsc.org/cb/biocataly...
Biocatalysis themed collection: Celebrating the careers of Nicholas Turner and Sabine Flitsch – RSC Chemical Biology Blog
blogs.rsc.org
December 18, 2025 at 11:44 AM
rscchembio.rsc.org
📢2025 RSC Chemical Biology Emerging Investigators collection is now published online.

This collection features invited contributions from early career researchers who are making significant contributions to the field of chemical biology.

➡️Read the full collection here: https://rsc.li/cbemi25
December 17, 2025 at 2:30 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
✨New advance article!

Johansson et al. introduce FLORENCE, Fluorescence labelling in recoded E.coli with non-canonical chemical entities, a SMT labelling method based on genetic code expansion offering an alternative to HaloTag and SNAP-tag systems.

✨Read the full story
Optimization of the genetic code expansion technology for intracellular labelling and single-molecule tracking of proteins in genomically re-coded E. coli
Single-molecule tracking (SMT) is a powerful tool for real-time studies of protein interactions in living cells. Dye-labelled SNAP-tag and HaloTag self-labelling proteins have simplified SMT significantly, due to their superior photophysical properties compared to fluorescent proteins. However, due to their
doi.org
December 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
📢New from P Chaiyen et al.

🧪Introducing a one-pot synthesis of bioluminescent D-luciferin analogues that show enhanced light intensity, red-shifted #bioluminescence, and greater light stability - all advantageous for future monitoring applications!

👉Read the full story:
Red-shifted D-luciferin analogues and their bioluminescence characteristics
d-Luciferin (d-LH2) is the most used substrate for beetle luciferases in various bioluminescence applications. Here, we successfully synthesized six d-LH2 analogues including 5′,7′-dimethoxy-d-LH2 and 7′-methylnaphthol-d-LH2 as novel compounds. We also developed a continuous one-pot green synthesis
doi.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
Our final #RSCChemicalBiology newsletter of the year is now on the blog! 🧬✨
Catch up on award winners, research highlights, community events, themed collections, and upcoming conferences.
Read the full update: blogs.rsc.org/cb/2025/12/0...
Subscribe to our e-alerts here: www.rsc.org/publishing/j...
Late 2025 Newsletter – RSC Chemical Biology Blog
blogs.rsc.org
December 8, 2025 at 11:16 AM
rscchembio.rsc.org
We are pleased to sponsor Poster Prizes at the 34th GP2A Medicinal Chemistry Conference with @rscmedchem.rsc.org & @rscpharmaceutics.rsc.org

📅26-28 Aug 2026
📍Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg
👉Visit gp2a.org/index.php/gp...

#GP2A #MedChem @omc-gu.bsky.social
December 5, 2025 at 11:53 AM
rscchembio.rsc.org
📢Latest article out now!

M Michel et al. used synthetic purine analogues to profile the nucleobase landscape of OGG1 looking for catalysts of the Schiff base cleavage, identifying two series that increased enzyme turnover and enhanced DNA damage repair.

👉Full story here:
Nucleobase catalysts for the enzymatic activation of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1
Bifunctional DNA glycosylases employ an active site lysine or the N-terminus to form a Schiff base with an abasic (AP) site base excision repair intermediate. For 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1), cleaving this reversible structure is the rate-determining step in the initiation of 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) repair
doi.org
December 5, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Reposted by RSC Chemical Biology
rsc.org
Professor Kenneth Lo (City University of Hong Kong) joins as the new External Organiser for #RSCPoster 2026!

His leadership will spark global collaboration, scientific discovery, and impactful conversations across the research community.

Stay tuned for updates — #ChemSky
Promotional image for #RSCPoster2026 featuring a network graphic background. Text announces new external organizer, Professor Kenneth Lo from City University of Hong Kong. Logos include American Elements and Royal Society of Chemistry.
December 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
🔎How does seeding by proIAPP influence amyloid fibril structure in type 2 diabetes?

Find out in the latest #openaccess Advance Article from Dylan Valli and Michal Maj at Uppsala University @uu.se

➡️Read the full story here:
High-resolution structure of proIAPP(1–48) fibrils suggests a mechanistic pathway for diabetes-associated IAPP fibril polymorphs
The human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) aggregates into amyloid fibrils that contribute to β-cell failure in type 2 diabetes. hIAPP is produced from a 67-residue precursor, proIAPP, but incomplete cleavage by prohormone convertase 2 (PC2) produces the 48-residue intermediate proIAPP(1–48), which accelerates amy
doi.org
December 3, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by RSC Chemical Biology
rscmedchem.rsc.org
2025 marks our journal's 5th Anniversary🎉

To celebrate, we have launched a collection aimed to highlight key advances in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery research in the last 5 years, as well as current breakthroughs and future prospects.

Read it here👉 pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/...
#chemsky🧪
RSC Medicinal Chemistry promotional graphic for the 5th Anniversary collection.
December 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Reposted by RSC Chemical Biology
chemicalscience.rsc.org
The Chemical Science team welcomes Xianfeng Li from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China as an Associate Editor!

Professor Li will be handling research on electrochemical energy storage and batteries.
December 1, 2025 at 10:29 AM
rscchembio.rsc.org
How does Nanchangmycin inhibit Zika virus infection?🦟

Find out in this new research from Emmanuelle Thinon et al. describing the "Affinity-based protein profiling of the antiviral natural product nanchangmycin".

👉Read the full story here: doi.org/10.1039/D5CB...

#proteomics #openaccess
Affinity-based protein profiling of the antiviral natural product nanchangmycin
Nanchangmycin is a natural product with broad-spectrum activity against various organisms, exhibiting antibiotic, antiviral, anticancer, and antifibrotic effects. Nanchangmycin belongs to the family of polyether ionophores and is proposed to exert its therapeutic effects by altering ion gradients across biological
doi.org
November 28, 2025 at 1:24 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
#RSCChemBio Issue 12 is now online and #openaccess!
In this issue: photoresponsive molecular tweezers, probing the role of LytG in cell wall metabolism, peroxidase-based proximal protein labelling, and much more!
📰Read the full issue here: pubs.rsc.org/en/journals/...
Inside front cover of RSC Chemical Biology Issue 12. A large blue pill-like shape in middle with smaller pill-like shapes around, highlighting circle in middle showing various structures including green train and red stop sign. Back cover of RSC Chemical Biology Issue 12. A large molecular image in the foreground with smaller molecular structures and a pale yellow ribbon structure in the background. Front cover of RSC Chemical Biology issue 12. Two crabs on a beach, one crab holding a green molecule structure, second green molecule structure in bottom right corner.
November 27, 2025 at 11:16 AM
rscchembio.rsc.org
🧬New article out now!

K Onizuka, F Nagatsugi et al introduce novel RNA-binding molecular probes by conjugating thiazole orange derivatives to G-clamp for applications in Fluorescent Indicator Displacement (FID) assays.

➡️Read the full paper:
RNA-binding fluorogenic probes: G-clamp conjugated with a thiazole orange derivative for screening RNA-binding small molecules
RNA has emerged as an attractive target for drug discovery, increasing the importance of methods for identifying RNA-binding small molecules. Fluorescent indicator displacement (FID) assays are commonly used for screening such molecules. However, because fluorescent indicators detect hit compounds through competiti
doi.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
rscchembio.rsc.org
📣Present your research at the 29th Enzyme Mechanisms Conference (4 – 8 Jan 2026)

🧪RSC Chem. Biol. is proud to sponsor a poster prize!

📅Poster abstracts due by 29th November 2025 – submit now!

➡️www.enzymemechanisms...

#enzyme #ChemicalBiology
EMC2026 29th Enzyme Mechanisms Conference
Since their inception in 1969, Enzyme Mechanisms Conferences have brought together academic and industrial scientists to discuss new ideas at the forefront of mechanistic enzymology. EMC2024 will take place from the 3rd-7th of January 2024 in Naples FL.
www.enzymemechanismsconference.org
November 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Reposted by RSC Chemical Biology
materialshorizons.rsc.org
📢Nominations for the @rsc.org 2026 Prizes are now open and close on 14 January 2026 - consider making a nomination to our Horizon Prizes, Inclusion and Diversity Prize, Research & Innovation Prizes and Volunteer Recognition Prizes 💫
🔗https://www.rsc.org/standards-and-recognition/prizes/
November 19, 2025 at 9:49 AM
rscchembio.rsc.org
📰 New article from Jani Bolla, Carol Robinson et al. from @ox.ac.uk

Evaluating the feasibility of peptidiscs for native mass-spectrometry analysis and structural characterisation of membrane proteins and their assemblies.

👉 Read more at: doi.org/10.1039/D5CB...
Native mass spectrometry of membrane proteins reconstituted in peptidiscs
Membrane proteins and lipids are essential for a wide range of cellular processes, making their structural characterisation essential for understanding biological function. However, the amphipathic na...
doi.org
November 19, 2025 at 9:55 AM