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Amino acid diversity in peptides and proteins over time. Now, in the era of biotechnology, the amino acid alphabet is poised to expand again. (Figure Credit: “The borderlands of foldability: lessons from simplified proteins,” Trends in Chemistry, 2026)

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A diagram showing the history of peptides and proteins over time. It is shaped like an hourglass.

Amino acid diversity in peptides and proteins over time. Over time, the genetic code expanded into the 20-amino acid alphabet found in contemporary biology. Now, in the era of biotechnology, the amino acid alphabet is poised to expand once more. (Figure Credit: “The borderlands of foldability: lessons from simplified proteins,” Koh Seya, Alfie‑Louise R. Brownless, Shina C. L. Kamerlin, and Liam M. Longo, Trends in Chemistry, 2026)