●Modelling neurodegenerative diseases in Drosophila : a fruitful approach? Muqit, M. M. K. & Feany, M. B. Nature Reviews Neuroscience March (2002). Using fruitfly genetics to define the molecular pathways that underlie the neurodegenerative process is likely to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of human neurodegenerative diseases, and to provide new therapeutic targets.

●Insight into malaria.Nature 7 February (2002). This Insight focuses on malaria. Growing international awareness and funding has led to new efforts towards controlling the disease. A wide-ranging coalition of interests is being assembled to combat malaria, which includes the pharmaceutical industry and other agencies.

●Guiding genes for tumour warfare. Chiocca, E. A. Nature Biotechnology March (2002). Systemic delivery of viral vectors to tumours has proved problematic. This News and Views article discusses an ingenious gene-therapy strategy that incorporates multiple levels of targeting into the delivery system.

●Chemokines: agents for the immunotherapy of cancer? Homey, B., Müller, A. & Zlotnik, A. Nature Reviews Immunology March (2002).

●New functions for the matrix metalloproteinases in cancer progression. Egeblad, M. & Werb, Z. Nature Reviews Cancer March (2002).

●Focus on pharma.Nature 7 February (2002). These two career and recruitment features focus on the skill sets needed to work in the modern drug discovery business, both in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies: A route to flexible working. Smaglik, P. & Smith, A. Life beyond the walls. Smith, A.

●Two faces for an opioid peptide — and more receptors for pain research. Simonin, F. & Kiefer, B. L. Nature Neuroscience March (2002). This News and Views article discusses a new study that reports the cloning of a family of orphan G-protein-coupled receptors that are localized in sensory neurons. These receptors are activated by a pro-enkephalin-A peptide, and might be involved in modulating pain.

●Requirements for memory maintenance. Rocha, B. Nature Immunology March (2002). New evidence shows that although immune memory cells might not need to see antigen– major histocompatibility complex to survive for long periods, without this stimulation, the cells cannot function properly. This News and Views article discusses the implications for both basic research and the development of vaccines that promote the maintenance of effective memory.