14/07/2026
Scientists at DESY are slowly unraveling how damage in biological structures occurs. found in cells can be influenced by the presence of roaming electrons unbound to atoms, electrons known as free radicals. The research team found that this influence becomes highly localized and then long-lasting, appearing as a “cage” of water molecules that can move through a water-filled body – like a cell – and the team believes this water cage initiates the damage in neighbouring molecular structures. The team wants to continue investigating this cage structure and how exactly it could involve molecules other than water – bringing us a step closer to knowing how the bogeyman of chemistry does its destructive work.
Picture: Mathilde Goullieux / DESY