●Fungi and the food of the gods Keith Clay Nature 29 January (2004) A News & Views article commenting on the role that endophytic fungal plant associates, which live inside plant leaves, can have in the protection of plants — here, the cacao tree, which provides the raw material for chocolate — against microbial attack.

●Immune surveillance in the skin: mechanisms and clinical consequences Thomas S. Kupper & Robert C. Fuhlbrigge Nature Reviews Immunology March (2004) This review describes the innate and adaptive immune systems in the skin — the primary interface between the body and the environment and the first line of defence against many microbial pathogens.

●Innate immunity to malaria Mary M. Stevenson & Eleanor M. Riley Nature Reviews Immunology March (2004) The authors consider the potential for innate immune mechanisms directed against Plasmodium parasites to contribute to the protection against malaria and modulate the adaptive immune response.

●Phage-inspired antibiotics? Steve Projan Nature Biotechnology February (2004) News & Views article commenting on the utility of using phage as a tool for both target discovery and validation, assay development and compound design.

●The evolution of genetic regulatory systems in bacteria Harley H. McAdams, Balaju Srinivasan & Adam P. Arkin Nature Reviews Genetics March (2004) Genetic circuits are complex and plastic, but are tractable in bacteria. The authors review the evolution of bacterial gene regulation and how this allows bacteria to adapt to a multitude of environmental niches.

●Probiotic bacteria health boon Michael Hopkin Nature 3 February (2004) This News article reports that you don't need live bacteria to boost your digestive system — just their DNA.

●Fear of human pandemic grows as bird flu sweeps through Asia Alison Abbott & Helen Pearson Nature 5 February 2004 This news article highlights the measures that are being implemented to curb the spread of avian influenza in Asia.

●Engaging biotechnology companies in the development of innovative solutions for diseases of poverty Hannah E. Kettler & Sonja Marjanovic Nature Reviews Drug Discovery February (2004) The authors present an overview of the present role of biotechs in 'diseases of poverty' R&D, and outline ways to facilitate higher levels of involvement in the future.

●African labs win major role in tsetse-fly genome project Declan Butler Nature 29 January (2004) News that an international research consortium has been formed to sequence the genome of the tsetse-fly, the pest that carries disease to millions of people and cattle in Africa.