Crispr / Cas is a genetic engineering method that rewrites the DNA building blocks in the genome of a target organism and can thus specifically change the DNA. Proponents see genome editing as an opportunity for plant breeding to obtain new plant varieties that are adapted to climate change, among other things. Opponents warn of unexpected biological properties of the edited plants, arguing that the genetic engineering method circumvents natural rules such as inheritance. In this pros and cons, we explain with some vivid videos how Crispr Cas works and let a proponent and opponent each have their say.

Our youngest and even more so their parents benefit from chemistry. Because diapers keep much drier today than in earlier times. No rocket science, but exciting chemistry. Superabsorbents play an important role in this. In this article, you can find out what superabsorbents actually are and why they can absorb so much liquid.

Beta-carotene is the precursor of vitamin A, a vital vitamin that, among other things, maintains the function of our immune system and the visual process. It belongs to the group of substances called carotenoids, whose name comes from carrots, from which carotene was first isolated. But beta-carotene is not only a precursor to vitamin A, the food industry also uses it as a food coloring, for example as an addition to butter, confectionery or lemonades. Today's post explains how the pigment is converted into a vitamin and where beta-carotene still occurs in nature. https://faszinationchemie.de/chemie-ueberall/news/was-ist-eigentlich-beta-carotinnbsp/

"Ask your doctor or pharmacist about risks and side effects" - we all know this saying. But before taking any medication, it is especially worthwhile to read the instructions for use on the package insert. Because there you will find important information on taking the drug and when, for example, it must not be used and which side effects have been observed in clinical studies. These life-saving cues are insights that are gained in the development of new drugs through two disciplines: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The author of today's article explains the role these disciplines play in the development of new active ingredients.

Whether it's a fleece jacket, sportswear or the disposable beverage bottle - many items that we use in our everyday life contain polyester. Most of us are probably familiar with polyester: polyethylene terephthalate, better known as PET. We also encounter them in nature: Earth bees produce polyester and use it to line their nests. But what exactly is polyester and how is it made? You will find out in this article.

Gummy bears, jelly or aspic - many foods contain gelatine. You benefit from their ability to gel. The main component of gelatine is collagen, which is found in skin, rinds, bones or connective tissue, for example. In addition to food, it is also used in drug capsules, among other things. In today's post you will learn how gelation works and in which applications we can still find gelatine.

Whether hiking, cycling or taking a walk - functional clothing is particularly popular to protect yourself from wind, water and dirt. To keep us dry and clean, many textiles often contain so-called per- and polyfluorinated carboxylic acids. They are water and dirt repellent - and usually for several hours. But these substances are considered to be environmentally harmful. And they could also damage our health. This article explains why we can do without per- and polyfluorinated carboxylic acids for normal everyday use and should rather use alternative textiles.

Chemistry is a difficult subject! Some of what you learned in school you forget over time. Unfortunately, this is also the case for some journalists. And in the stressful day-to-day editorial work, there is often no time to research the facts in more detail. It can happen, for example, that "chlorine gas" (German Chlorgas) becomes the new dangerous substance "Chorgas" (German "Chor" = Choir). Every year, there are some reports in the media that misrepresent chemical formulas or names. Much of it is very amusing for chemists. Some of these "fake news" from the past year are summarized here.

With that we say goodbye for this week and look forward to seeing you again next week. Stay healthy!

Today we deal with humic substances. These are organic compounds that are found almost everywhere in our ecosystem - for example in the ground. They are responsible for maintaining the soil's microbiome. With their properties, however, they also play an important role in protecting the climate. Is it possible to save the climate with these substances? You will find out in this article.

Have you already had a cup of coffee today? Today you will learn why you need more than just coffee beans for a fully automatic coffee machine and why you should descale it regularly despite the water filter. In this article, the author takes us into the inner workings of her fully automatic coffee machine.

The first active ingredients against the virus that triggered the corona pandemic are currently being tested. And there is hope worldwide that an effective drug will be approved quickly. But how do you actually develop a new drug? And how does research work? The chemist and virologist Helga Rübsamen-Schaeff has specialized in the research and development of antiviral drugs against, among other things, herpes, cytomegalovirus and HIV. We asked them what to consider when developing a drug. Here she explains why setbacks are necessary to research in order to get ahead.

With that we say goodbye for this week and look forward to seeing you again next week. Stay healthy!

Whether fingernails, liver cells or the enzymes that control all functions and reactions in our body: They consist of proteins made up of amino acids. The amino acids are essential for us. However, our body cannot produce all of the amino acids itself. Therefore, we have to take in the amino acids that it cannot produce - so-called essential amino acids - with our food. But how does our body then convert the food so that it can get the amino acids it needs and use them for the intended functions? This is what this article explains.

With that we say goodbye for this week and look forward to seeing you again next week. Stay healthy!

Today we dedicate ourselves to diseases that have hardly been researched, little known and difficult to treat - but always complex, mostly undetected and often fatal: Rare diseases. A disease is considered rare in the EU if it affects no more than five in 10,000 people. This definition encompasses around 8,000 diseases, including rare forms of cancer, diseases of the cardiovascular system and autoimmune diseases. Around four million people in Germany suffer from a rare disease. In this article, you will find out why diagnosing and researching rare diseases is so difficult. Please note: After the introduction today, we will publish another article with interesting facts on the subject in the coming days.

Salad sauces taste bland without acid. Wine becomes acidic if we let it stand - acetic acid is formed. Among other things, this is involved in the production of "aspirin". We also encounter acetic acid when cleaning. But what is acetic acid and how is vinegar made? We explain that today in this post.

In addition to the bonds between atoms and ions within a molecule, there are also interactions between molecules, so-called intermolecular interactions. However, these forces are weaker than the binding forces. The intermolecular interactions are partly responsible for the properties of a substance and influence, among other things, melting and boiling temperatures. These animations explain how the forces work. So that you can hear the explanations, you should turn on the sound.

In 399 BC The Athenian philosopher Socrates was executed by drinking the so-called hemlock cup, a drink made from the fruits and roots of the spotted hemlock. So-called alkaloids (?-conicein and coniin) were deadly. These hemlock poisons cause a gradual paralysis of the body until the poisoned suffocates - while fully conscious. Plants produce the poisonous substances to protect themselves from predators. Medicinal active ingredients are based on selected of these substances. In nature, they can be dangerous for humans and animals, including hemlock poisons. For this reason, agriculture is displacing the spotted hemlock and its poisons are not used medicinally today. This article explains how ?-conicein and coniin are chemically structured and why they are so toxic.

Today we deal with hormones, messenger substances in our body. They regulate and control many processes in our body, e.g. the metabolism - and are therefore indispensable. Various factors such as stress or pregnancy can affect hormone levels. But hormones also provide information about some diseases. A changed hormone concentration in body fluids can indicate a tumor or high blood pressure, for example. Today's post explains how hormones can be detected in our body.

Mercury was already used in ancient times. As the only metal that is liquid at room temperature, it is still fascinating today. In early times, mercury was a symbol of eternal life and was associated with gods such as Hermes, the messenger of the gods in Greek mythology. Mercury was used in Medicine, among other things. For example, intestinal obstructions used to be treated with metallic mercury. To this day it is used in pharmacology, even if its use has declined sharply and mercury is often replaced by similarly effective agents.
Because of its toxicity, mercury has now fallen into disrepute. Many of us may associate mercury with clinical thermometers, others may also know it from amalgam dental fillings. Nowadays, mercury is the epitome of poison, environmental degradation and industrial contamination of entire regions. This article explains how the image change came about.

Ants of the species Megaponera analis hunt termites in large groups. If individual animals are injured on the hunt, they send out a chemical call for help, which calls a species-specific medical service to the scene. Today's post explains how this chemical call for help works.

Cyclodextrins are ring-shaped molecules made up of glucose building blocks. They can trap lipophilic substances inside them, thereby changing their properties. The food industry uses its special structure, for example, as a whipping agent for desserts or for flavors. But how do the ring-shaped molecules come about? And how do they work? You can see this in a nice animation on this page from Wacker Chemie AG. So that you can hear the explanation, you should turn on the sound.

And you can do puzzles again today. Which element are we looking for? We will deliver the solution in a few days at the bottom of this page.

Today we present you an experiment that creates a very voluminous foam, reminiscent of oversized toothpaste. The experiment is therefore also known as elephant toothpaste. Here we have put together some nice videos and explain the chemistry behind the experiment to you.

In countries without clean tap water, they are a vital source of drinking water. And with us, too, many appreciate them as a loyal companion in everyday life, during sports or on vacation: plastic beverage bottles. At the same time, the one-way plastic bottles are coming under increasing criticism due to the increasingly visible consequences for our environment. Today we explain why water in plastic (bottles) leads to (micro) plastic in water even when properly recycled. To the contribution.

In 2009, around every fourth German between the ages of 25 and 34 had a tattoo. But what actually happens under the skin when and after the tattoo ink is applied? In this article we can trace a tattoo from a chemical point of view. There was an introduction to the topic last week. We explained what tattoo inks are made of (see below Chemistry at Home from 03/27/2020).

Whether on the roller coaster ride, cheering for the Bundesliga match in the championship or running a marathon - each and every one of us is sure to have had an ?adrenaline rush? at least once. These events may not be possible at the moment because you are at home - but today we will explain to you what happens in our body when there is an "adrenaline rush". And next time you stand in front of the roller coaster, you might think of us. To the contribution.

We are all familiar with the sight of a candle flame. Warm, light yellow, and shaped like a tear, it hugs the wick tightly. But what happens when you put a candle flame in weightlessness? We start the new week with this question. You can find the answer here.

Today we are devoting ourselves to a medical topic: In the case of headache or aching limbs, a pain pill often helps to relieve the pain. There are thousands of drugs used to treat a variety of diseases. But how is a drug made? To the contribution

Today we are dealing with the recycling of plastic waste: Chemical recycling converts the products into crude oil and thus apparently makes ideal use of the raw materials in plastic waste, but mechanical recycling is more environmentally friendly: cracking or melting? To the contribution

Today we are introducing a molecule that on the one hand protects us as a kind of protective layer in the stratosphere, on the other hand it damages us close to the ground: What actually is ozone, how is it created and how does it work? To the contribution

Welcome to Chemistry at Home. Today we are starting our series and are the first to introduce substances that everyone, whether they want to or not, has to do with: What are preservatives and how do they work in our food? To the contribution

Would you rather have something to guess? Then we have a riddle for you here. Which element are you looking for? We will deliver the solution in a few days at the bottom of this page.