Networks and systems biology articles within Nature Chemistry

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• Article | 17 August 2015

  A cascade reaction network mimicking the basic functional steps of adaptive immune response

  A cascade reaction network has been created that can function in a manner that is superficially similar to the most basic steps of the vertebrate adaptive immune response. This reaction network uses DNA and enzymes as simple artificial analogues of the components of the acquired immune system.

  • Da Han
  • , Cuichen Wu
  •  & Weihong Tan

• Article | 04 May 2015

  Freeze–thaw cycles as drivers of complex ribozyme assembly

  During the early stages of life on Earth sophisticated RNA catalysts must have formed from simple precursors. Here it is shown that freeze–thaw cycles can drive the assembly of complex RNA polymerase ribozymes from networks of short RNA oligonucleotides through an unanticipated RNA chaperone effect.

  • Hannes Mutschler
  • , Aniela Wochner
  •  & Philipp Holliger

• Article | 10 November 2013

  Bacteria clustering by polymers induces the expression of quorum-sensing-controlled phenotypes

  Bacteria use signalling networks to control population behaviour. Here it is shown that polymers that promote clustering of bacteria can influence bacterial signalling and induce unexpected responses in quorum-sensing-controlled phenotypes. These responses can be better modulated by controlling the affinity of the polymer to both bacteria and signalling molecules.

  • Leong T. Lui
  • , Xuan Xue
  •  & Cameron Alexander