The death of a French professor in a laboratory explosion in March was a shocking reminder that research can be a risky business. Mark Peplow and Emma Marris investigate whether chemistry deserves its reckless reputation.

Something that felt like an earthquake hit the French town of Mulhouse on 24 March. The explosion at the National Institution of Higher Learning in Chemistry (ENSCMu) killed Dominique Burget, a 41-year-old photochemist. It also sent ripples of concern around the world.

Read our story, plus horrifying stories of chemistry-lab accidents, here (you will need a subscription).