The three-dimensional structure of a protein — as determined by its primary amino acid sequence — ultimately dictates how it can interact with other molecules and therefore governs its function, which could be, for example, catalysing a chemical transformation, transporting a molecule or providing structure. The capacity to accurately characterize a protein’s 3D structure directly from its primary

In grad school, there is time to focus on learning about your field and your project — and to keep up with the literature. Now, as an assistant professor, Shira Joudan explains how learning science is necessarily different as they manage multiple projects and a busy schedule.

Marinda Westerveld and Rita Petracca describe the current understanding of the biosynthesis of crotonyl-coenzyme A.

Jakob Farnung and Brenda Schulman detail chemical diversification that endows the protein ubiquitin with many important cellular functions.

About two thirds of western society are extroverts, but the contemplative nature of science means that this is not true of the academic population. Bruce Gibb discusses extraversion and introversion in science and asks whether the movement towards larger projects involving teams of scientists is making it harder for introverts and for disruptive discoveries.

Correction to: Nature Chemistry https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-023-01212-2, published online 15 May 2023.

Adam Noble discusses the diverse uses of eosin Y over its 150-year history, from its origin as a dye and pigment used by post-impressionist masters to its versatile reactivity as a catalyst in visible light photochemistry.