News Math

Scientists find a naturally occurring molecule that forms a fractal

The protein assembles itself into Sierpiński triangles

An illustration of bacterial molecules forming a triangular fractal.

Researchers have found a bacterial protein that links up to form a type of fractal called a Sierpiński triangle (illustrated). It’s the first known case of a naturally occurring regular fractal on the molecular level.

Franziska Sendker

By Emily Conover

Fractals are everywhere in nature, from river deltas to tree branches. These structures look similar from afar as when you zoom in close.

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