Physics and the cell - - p725

David Gevaux

doi:10.1038/nphys1813

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Physics challenged by cells - pp726 - 729

Ana-Sunčana Smith

doi:10.1038/nphys1798

Cells are the building blocks of life. Ideas traditionally applied to physical problems are now helping to unravel their complex mysteries.

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Are biomechanical changes necessary for tumour progression? - pp730 - 732

Anatol Fritsch, Michael Höckel, Tobias Kiessling, Kenechukwu David Nnetu, Franziska Wetzel, Mareike Zink & Josef A. Käs

doi:10.1038/nphys1800

Cell biophysics sheds some new light on cancer by approaching this complex problem from a materials science perspective.

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Physical virology - pp733 - 743

W. H. Roos, R. Bruinsma & G. J. L. Wuite

doi:10.1038/nphys1797

Viruses are protected by a protein shell known as a capsid. The mechanical properties of capsids have been the focus of intense experimental and theoretical investigation with the hope that a better understanding will open the door to new medical treatments and applications in biotechnology.

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Emergent complex neural dynamics - pp744 - 750

Dante R. Chialvo

doi:10.1038/nphys1803

Is the brain on the edge of criticality? Understanding the inner workings of the brain is a task made difficult by the number of elements involved: a hundred billion neurons and a hundred trillion synapses. Viewing the brain in terms of collective dynamics is one approach now yielding some insight.

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Challenges in protein-folding simulations - pp751 - 758

Peter L. Freddolino, Christopher B. Harrison, Yanxin Liu & Klaus Schulten

doi:10.1038/nphys1713

A protein's shape is crucial for fulfilling its function within a cell. This Review discusses how molecular dynamics simulations have given us insight into the processes that turn a linear chain of amino acids into a unique three-dimensional protein.

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