Advancing protein engineering via organic chemistry Communications Chemistry, Published online: 18 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-02033-3Selective protein functionalization remains difficult to achieve through conventional molecular biology approaches. Here, the authors summarize recent advances in chemical approaches to protein engineering and highlight their emerging applications in catalysis, functional studies, and therapeutic development.

Just out: Advancing protein engineering via organic chemistry

Space filling shapes the interaction networks in mixed pyrrole-benzene trimers and tetramers Communications Chemistry, Published online: 17 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-02027-1Mixed trimers of pyrrole (Py) and benzene (Bz) provide an ideal benchmark to probe the interplay between strong directional forces and diffuse dispersion contacts that governs structural preferences in molecular assemblies. Here, the authors characterize Py-(Bz)2 and (Py)2-Bz trimers and the (Py)2-(Bz)2 tetramer using chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy combined with dispersion-corrected DFT calculations and intensity-based cross-correlation analysis, showing that the overall geometries are dictated by space-filling principles that maximize dispersion contacts.

Just out: Space filling shapes the interaction networks in mixed pyrrole-benzene trimers and tetramers

Just out: A unified multi-scale deep learning framework for molecular property prediction that bridges molecular structures and fingerprinting

Iron ion enables photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from methanol Communications Chemistry, Published online: 17 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-02009-3The dehydrogenation of methanol using homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts and photocatalysts has attracted considerable attention, as hydrogen production from alcohols represents a pivotal reaction for achieving carbon neutrality. Here, the authors report a photocatalytic system in which a ligand-free iron ion functions as the sole catalyst, promoting hydrogen evolution under UV light irradiation without the need for supporting ligands or noble metals, with similar turnover frequency compared to previously reported homogeneous catalysts.

Just out: Iron ion enables photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from methanol

Just out: Unconventional atomic-level mechanism induced by a submerged saddle in the O(1D) + CH3OCH3 reaction

Just out: Long-lived coherences for the observation of oxidation kinetics on different timescales by NMR

Diversification of the 10th core atom of 9-cyanopyronins expands the resonance Raman vibrational palette Communications Chemistry, Published online: 16 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-02019-1Rhodamine derivatives with different core atoms at the 10th position exhibit diverse optical properties for fluorescence imaging, however, the effect of the 10th core atom on vibrational properties remain largely underexplored. Here, the authors prepare 9-cyanopyronin derivatives in which the 10th core atom is substituted with group 13, 14, 15 or 16 elements and evaluate their properties as resonance Raman probes, performing live-cell three-color imaging using distinct patterns of C ≡ N or C = C bond vibrations together with different subcellular probe localization.

Just out: Diversification of the 10th core atom of 9-cyanopyronins expands the resonance Raman vibrational palette

Just out: Divergent synthesis of γ-lactones and cyclopropanes via efficient [1 + 4] and [1 + 2] annulations of amide-sulfoxonium ylides

Just out: Elucidating metal (Zr, Hf, Th, U)-hydride covalency using 1H NMR chemical shifts and density functional calculations

Just out: Enhanced radiation hardness of a copper iodine cluster framework scintillator using a bridging macrocyclic ligand with aggregation-induced emission properties

Sponge and sea slug partnership yields a new anticancer molecule with drug design promise Researchers identified jorumycidine, a new hexacyclic marine alkaloid from the nudibranch Jorunna funebris and its dietary sponge, Haliclona sp., and demonstrated that it exhibits potent nanomolar cyt...

A sea slug & its sponge prey have revealed jorumycidine: a unique 6-ring molecule with powerful anticancer effects 🧬🌊. Dive in: www.news-medical.net/news/2026040... #Cancer #DrugDiscovery #MarineScience @commschem.nature.com

Just out: Lid loop-mediated proton transfer revealed in the Fe/αKG-dependent decarboxylase TraH

Slug-flow microchannel enables efficient and controllable preparation of sensitive protein nanoparticles Communications Chemistry, Published online: 14 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-02026-2Microreactors are valued for efficient mixing and precise control in nanoparticle synthesis; however, when encapsulating sensitive proteins and enzymes, conventional fluidic shear causes serious damage and activity loss. Here, the authors show that gas-liquid slug-flow microchannels provide efficient mixing, narrow residence time distribution, and suitable shear compared to single-phase flow microchannels, microstructured continuous stirred-tank reactors, and batch reactors, reporting a low PDI and productivity equivalent to 100 lab-scale batch reactors for the preparation of catalase nanocapsules.

Just out: Slug-flow microchannel enables efficient and controllable preparation of sensitive protein nanoparticles

Just out: Electronic reconfiguration of Ru single atoms by carbon–confined Ru nanoparticles enables pH–universal hydrogen evolution

Addendum: Versatile phosphonium-catechol dispersant for inorganic nanoparticle stability across diverse media and manufacturing processes Communications Chemistry, Published online: 13 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01959-yAddendum: Versatile phosphonium-catechol dispersant for inorganic nanoparticle stability across diverse media and manufacturing processes

Just out: Addendum: Versatile phosphonium-catechol dispersant for inorganic nanoparticle stability across diverse media and manufacturing processes

Just out: Equilibrium shape and surface termination of supported magnetite nanoparticles

Interpretable machine learning uncovers structural determinants of Wnt-Wntless binding specificity from atomistic simulations Communications Chemistry, Published online: 11 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-02013-7Variations in how Wnt proteins interact with the membrane protein Wntless (Wls) make it difficult to define binding principles across the Wnt family because of sequence divergence and differences in binding modes. Here, the authors combine molecular dynamics simulations with machine learning to reveal key residue interactions among the Wnt systems, offering insights into the Wnt–Wls binding specificity.

Just out: Interpretable machine learning uncovers structural determinants of Wnt-Wntless binding specificity from atomistic simulations

Just out: The role of N-terminal acetylation on biomolecular condensation

Origin of the ionic-strength dependent reentrant behavior in the liquid-liquid phase separation of uncharged intrinsically disordered proteins Communications Chemistry, Published online: 11 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-02011-9Recent experiments have shown that largely uncharged intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) at physiological salt concentration (~0.15 M), dissolve at increasing salt concentration (~1.0 M), and further exhibit LLPS at much higher salt concentration (~3.0 M). Here, the authors use analytical theory and explicit solvent coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to show that, with increasing ion concentration, condensate dissolution takes place due to a decrease in correlation length in the ionic plasma, with further LLPS at higher salt regimes resulting from entropy-driven crowding.

Just out: Origin of the ionic-strength dependent reentrant behavior in the liquid-liquid phase separation of uncharged intrinsically disordered proteins

Just out: Alumina nanoparticle-induced decarbonation at subduction-zone conditions

Degradable polymers via controlled alternating ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of bio-sourced oxa-norbornenes and 2,3-dihydrofuran Communications Chemistry, Published online: 11 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-02016-4The polymer industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact by developing sustainable bio-based alternatives. Here, the authors synthesize degradable copolymers from biomass-derived monomers using ring-opening metathesis polymerization, achieving controlled polymerization and predictable molecular weights.

Just out: Degradable polymers via controlled alternating ring-opening metathesis copolymerization of bio-sourced oxa-norbornenes and 2,3-dihydrofuran

Women in chemistry: Q&A with Professor Nicola Gaston Communications Chemistry, Published online: 09 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01995-8Professor Nicola Gaston is the Director of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, a New Zealand Centre of Research Excellence, and a Professor in Physics at the University of Auckland, where her research group conducts quantum-mechanical simulations of the electronic and thermodynamic behaviour of nanoscale materials.

Just out: Women in chemistry: Q&A with Professor Nicola Gaston

Just out: Exploring the structure and dynamics of peptide nanodiscs through a synergistic approach with NMR spectroscopy, SAS and MD simulations

Structural and functional role of methylene linkers in self-coacervation-mediated membrane interaction and antiviral defense Communications Chemistry, Published online: 09 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01957-0Small-molecule-based self-coacervates exhibit tunable dynamic properties; however, liquid-liquid phase separation in such systems at low microcomolar concentrations remains underexplored. Here, the authors report the design and dynamic properties of flavonoid-based amphiphilic self-coacervates, the modulation of the critical coacervate concentration and membrane interactions to form domains — which order the membrane interface, inhibit membrane fusion, and could combat viral infections caused by enveloped viruses.

Just out: Structural and functional role of methylene linkers in self-coacervation-mediated membrane interaction and antiviral defense

RAFT enables controlled radical ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic ketene acetals for degradable nanoparticles Communications Chemistry, Published online: 09 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01997-6The demand for biodegradable polymers in biomedicine and cosmetics drives interest in the radical ring-opening polymerisation (RROP) of cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs). Here, the authors demonstrate a controlled polymerisation method using RAFT to control the RROP of 2-methylene-1,3,6-trioxocane, enabling the creation of well-defined, fully biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles.

Just out: RAFT enables controlled radical ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic ketene acetals for degradable nanoparticles

Solid phosphate buffers boost CO2 capture performance and enable energy-lean operation in amine-functionalized adsorbents Communications Chemistry, Published online: 09 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-02014-6Amine-functionalized solid adsorbents are promising materials for efficient CO2 capture, but their practical deployment is constrained by challenges in balancing CO2 adsorption capacity, adsorption kinetics and regeneration energy efficiency. Here, the authors show that incorporating sodium dihydrogen phosphate into tetraethylenepentamine-functionalized mesoporous silica gel (HP-TEPA/MSG) results in atomic-scale proton transfer networks that accelerate proton shuttling during adsorption-desorption cycles, resulting in a higher CO2 capacity, faster adsorption kinetics and a lower regeneration energy.

Just out: Solid phosphate buffers boost CO2 capture performance and enable energy-lean operation in amine-functionalized adsorbents

Just out: Rapid elongation drives the exceptionally fast aggregation of the most common localized human amyloid medin

Just out: In vitro γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor activity and binding interactions at the α+/γ2– interface of 53 prescription and designer benzodiazepines

Heparin microarray-based specific interaction assay of marine sulfated polysaccharides with antithrombin Ⅲ Communications Chemistry, Published online: 07 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s42004-026-01999-4Marine sulfated polysaccharides hold promise for anticoagulant drug development, yet efficient evaluation methods are lacking. Here, the authors develop a heparin microarray-based competitive strategy to assess interactions with antithrombin III, successfully determining IC50 values and demonstrating versatility for broader anticoagulant target evaluation.

Just out: Heparin microarray-based specific interaction assay of marine sulfated polysaccharides with antithrombin Ⅲ

Just out: Jorumycidine, a hexacyclic bis-tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid from marine symbiosis reveals new biosynthetic logic for anticancer design