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SLAC is home to the world’s most advanced X-ray laser, and following its recent upgrades, scientists are now able to see how molecules evolve at the smallest, fastest scales imaginable better than ever before. Markus Guehr and his team are looking at xanthone – a powerful, versatile catalyst capable of activating bonds in chemical reactions and even selectively altering DNA. A better understanding of xanthone could lead to medical applications, including innovative cancer therapies.