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Biological sciences encompasses all the divisions of natural sciences examining various aspects of vital processes. The concept includes anatomy, physiology, cell biology, biochemistry and biophysics, and covers all organisms from microorganisms, animals to plants.
Liquid droplets form in cells to concentrate specific biomolecules (while excluding others) in order to perform specific functions. The molecular mechanisms that determine whether different macromolecules undergo co-partitioning or exclusion has so far remained elusive. Now, two studies uncover key principles underlying this selectivity.
Aging-related DNA methylation changes are numerous. Their precise measurement has opened new avenues to explore aging-related disease pathology, including the construction of chronological and biological age predictors (termed DNA methylation ‘clocks’). Three studies investigate the substantial stochastic contribution to these epigenetic changes and further our understanding of aging biology, as well as of these predictors.
The mechanisms driving B cell differentiation into resident bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC) remain unclear. Here the authors use single cell sequencing and BMPC phenotyping to infer developmental pathways and regulation by IL-21 in germinal centres to promote maintenance of BMPC after vaccination in humans.
The molecular system regulating cell surface mechanics remains largely unexplored at single-cell resolution. Here, the authors report a high-throughput single-cell assay, ELASTomics, which integrates mechanical phenotyping with unbiased transcriptomics.
Here the authors used cryogenic electron microscopy and biochemistry to understand how yeast Mcm10 exerts its essential role in DNA replication initiation, finding that it splits the double Cdc45-MCM-GINS-Polε structure. The lagging-strand template is ejected from each MCM ring as the central channel of the helicase becomes too tight to accommodate two DNA strands.
Liquid droplets form in cells to concentrate specific biomolecules (while excluding others) in order to perform specific functions. The molecular mechanisms that determine whether different macromolecules undergo co-partitioning or exclusion has so far remained elusive. Now, two studies uncover key principles underlying this selectivity.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI), exemplified by large language models such as ChatGPT, shows promise in mental health practice, aiding research, training and therapy. However, bias, inaccuracy and trust issues necessitate careful integration with human expertise.
As quantum technology advances, it holds immense potential to accelerate oncology discovery through enhanced molecular modeling, genomic analysis, medical imaging, and quantum sensing.