New molecular knot is most complex yet

Crisscrossing braid of atoms has ‘astonishing amount of symmetry’

molecular knot

WOVEN TOGETHER  A new molecular knot (representation shown) is the most complex one ever described. It forms a triple braid, with iron ions (silvery-blue) and a chloride ion (green) guiding the formation.

Stuart Jantzen/biocinematics.com

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One hundred and ninety-two atoms have tied the knot.