Fragile chemical groups can be shielded from harsh reaction conditions by temporary protection. This approach is conventional wisdom for organic synthesis, but is it always the best solution?

Experiments with microorganisms can guide thinking about the big questions being tackled by evolutionary biologists — for instance, how predation and immigration might play a role in adaptive radiation.

The biosynthesis of vitamin B12 has fascinated generations of scientists, but part of the pathway was unknown. The missing enzymatic link has now been found, only to raise more mechanistic questions.