In the 1940s, scientists at the recently established National Cancer Institute were trying to breed mice that could inform our understanding of cancer, either because they predictably developed ...

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a type of molecule and a key building block of the ribosome, the cell's protein-making machinery. rRNA accounts for much of the RNA in a cell, and it's crucial for life. It's ...

Make no mistake, RNA is the main character of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Thomas Cech’s new book. The Catalyst is part ode to the oft-overlooked molecule and part detailed history of the scientists ...

DNA and RNA are the molecular blueprints of life, each with unique structures and roles. DNA’s double-helix stability makes it ideal for long-term genetic storage, while RNA’s versatility powers ...

A new method developed at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions allows researchers to better understand how RNA works. The method is a powerful strategy for identifying intricate ...

We’re celebrating 180 years of Scientific American. Explore our legacy of discovery and look ahead to the future. In 1957, just four years after Francis Crick and other scientists solved the riddle of ...