Biochemists shed light on the evolution of our 20- amino acid toolbox. The genetic code of life depends mainly on 20 amino acids, which can be arranged in various combinations to form proteins. For ...

Amino acids are the monomeric compounds that combine to form proteins. Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body, so must come from our diet. The essential amino acids are not synthesized in ...

Alongside the classical 20 protein amino acids, which are used to build proteins, there are more than 1000 non-protein amino acids in nature. Occasional mistakes can mean these non-protein amino acids ...

Although the myriad proteins found in all life are largely built from a set of 20 amino acids, many other amino acids exist in nature, and it remains a curiosity as to why some were ultimately ...

Colino is a contributor for TIME. Colino is a contributor for TIME. Amino acid supplements have soared in popularity in recent years. Social-media influencers peddle them with promises that they’ll ...