Table of contents
From the editors
p235 | doi:10.1038/nrm1924
Research Highlights
Apoptosis: Two to tango
p236 | doi:10.1038/nrm1921
Inflammation: Linear relationships
p237 | doi:10.1038/nrm1916
In brief
Chromatin | ER stress | Mechanism of disease | Chromosomes
p237 | doi:10.1038/nrm1917
Chromatin: A case of the tail wagging the dog
p238 | doi:10.1038/nrm1914
Endocytosis: Static structures
p238 | doi:10.1038/nrm1919
Membrane dynamics: Getting and staying in shape
p239 | doi:10.1038/nrm1918
Signal transduction: Local delivery
p240 | doi:10.1038/nrm1915
MicroRNA: Behind the scenes
p240 | doi:10.1038/nrm1920
Webwatch
A source of trusted techniques
p240 | doi:10.1038/nrm1923
Technology Watch
Testing topology | Plain sailing
p241 | doi:10.1038/nrm1922
Reviews
Organelles on the move: insights from yeast vacuole inheritance
Lois S. Weisman
p243 | doi:10.1038/nrm1892
Studies on yeast vacuole inheritance have identified rules that probably apply to most organelle-inheritance pathways. They have found a partially conserved mechanism for membrane-cargo transport, and shown that the transport complex regulates the destination and timing of vacuole movement.
NDR kinases regulate essential cell processes from yeast to humans
Alexander Hergovich, Mario R. Stegert, Debora Schmitz & Brian A. Hemmings
p253 | doi:10.1038/nrm1891
The NDR protein kinases regulate morphological changes, mitotic exit, cytokinesis, cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as neuronal growth and differentiation. Combined data from different model organisms now highlight the conserved roles of these kinases in physiology and disease.
Local force and geometry sensing regulate cell functions
Viola Vogel & Michael Sheetz
p265 | doi:10.1038/nrm1890
Cycles of mechanosensing, mechanotransduction and mechanoresponse regulate cell behaviour and other important cellular responses, such as growth, differentiation and cell death. Nanofabrication and other new technologies have enabled systematic analysis of the mechanisms of mechanosensing and the downstream cellular responses.
Sperm guidance in mammals — an unpaved road to the egg
Michael Eisenbach & Laura C. Giojalas
p276 | doi:10.1038/nrm1893
The idea that ejaculated spermatozoa 'race' towards the mature egg and compete to fertilize it is no longer thought to be true. Instead, only a small number of spermatozoa are guided towards the egg by specialized mechanisms that include chemotaxis and thermotaxis.
Perspectives
Essay
Women in cell biology: getting to the top
Fiona M. Watt
p287 | doi:10.1038/nrm1894
What can we learn from women who have 'made it' in science? How were their careers affected by their sex? Although the situation for women cell biologists has improved over the past 30 years, there is still much to be done.
Essay
Cell biology should be taught as science is practised
Stephen E. DiCarlo
p290 | doi:10.1038/nrm1856
Over the years, the goals in cell-biology education have changed from the memorization of facts to 'meaningful learning' — that is, the development of a deeper understanding of important concepts. This requires a shift in the approach and attitude of both teachers and students.
Article series: Developmental Cell Biology
Timeline
Spemann's organizer and self-regulation in amphibian embryos
Edward M. De Robertis
p296 | doi:10.1038/nrm1855
Self-regulation is one of the most intriguing properties of early embryos. In 1924, Spemann and Mangold carried out the most famous experiment in experimental embryology, which led to the identification of the first self-organizing centre — the Spemann's organizer.