Horizons

Driven by remarkable advances in the understanding of structure and reaction mechanisms, organic synthesis will be increasingly directed to producing bioinspired and newly designed molecules.

Insights from evolutionary developmental biology and the mind sciences could change our understanding of the human capacity to think and the ways in which the human mind constrains cultural expressions.

The testing of substances for adverse effects on humans and the environment needs a radical overhaul if we are to meet the challenges of ensuring health and safety.

The use of biomarkers to predict human behaviour and psychiatric disorders raises social and ethical issues, which must be resolved by collaborative efforts.

Focusing on information flow will help us to understand better how cells and organisms work.

As life expectancy increases, a systems-biology approach is needed to ensure that we have a healthy old age.

Moves by chemists to help computers access the scientific literature have boosted the drive to make scientific information freely available to all.

Researchers must find a sustainable way of providing the power our modern lifestyles demand.

The emerging field of circuit quantum electrodynamics could pave the way for the design of practical quantum computers.

Evo-devo meets systems biology.