Membrane protein biophysics

Vol. 459, No. 7245 (21 May 2009)

Membrane proteins have essential roles in the function of a cell or organelle. The structure and function of these proteins are intimately linked, and recent structural advances have allowed biophysicists to discern much more about how these molecular machines work.

Microbial oceanography

Vol. 459, No. 7244 (14 May 2009)

Microorganisms are the most abundant lifeforms in the ocean, and as such have a very important role in many ecosystems. New technologies are allowing scientists to dig deeper than ever before into the composition and activity of microbial communities.

Neglected diseases

Vol. 449, No. 7159 (12 September 2007)

Produced with support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, Foundation for the NIH, TDR, Burroughs Wellcome Fund and MRC for Global Health

Tropical diseases affect more than one billion people, yet there are few effective treatments. And despite much research activity, scientific innovations with therapeutic potential are not making it out of the laboratory. The articles in this Outlook examine what can be done to stimulate the development of effective medicines and deliver them to the people who need them most.

India

Vol. 436, No. 7050 (28 July 2005)

Produced with support from Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Metahelix, Avesthagen and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

India is changing: children are being immunized with affordable vaccines produced by India's own biotechnology industry and exported to poorer countries. In this Outlook, Nature examines the problems, like disease, poverty, and bureaucracy, and the opportunities that could make India a world player on the scientific and technological stage.

Energy

Supported by Total

The need for abundant energy sources that do not rely on fossil fuels is one of the great technological challenges of the twenty-first century — fundamental to further economic development and some measure of climate stability. This collection of feature articles from Nature looks at the technologies and science base needed to meet the challenge of clean energy on a global scale, taking in everything from artificial photosynthesis to hybrid cars, and from nuclear power to biofuel shrubs.

Cancer

Supported by Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, Asterand, Cephalon, Genentech and Biogen Idec

Cancer is driven by multiple genetic and epigenetic changes. This collection highlights recent studies that catalogue these alterations and shed light on the mechanisms by which cancer genes function. These papers feature important advances in the understanding of the complex biological processes underlying tumorigenesis and metastasis, and demonstrate how these insights might translate into clinical applications.

Functional Neuroscience

Vol. 458, No. 7240 pp925-930 (16 April 2009)

Advances in magnetic resonance imaging are helping scientists learn more about the structure and function of the brain. Nathan Blow looks at how far the technology has developed and where it could go.

Transcriptomics

Vol. 458, No. 7235 pp239-244 (12 March 2009)

Next-generation sequencing is pushing gene-expression profiling further into the digital age. But analog methods still have plenty of wind left. Nathan Blow looks at the looming battle over the cell's transcriptome.