Reviews & Analysis

The enzymatic pathway has been characterized for the production of ketocarotenoids: the red pigment in some birds’ feathers and in eye cells that detect red light.

Gene expression is regulated by clusters of regulatory DNA sequences called enhancers. Basic design principles that protect enhancer networks against the harmful effects of genetic mutations have now been elucidated.

Experiments conducted in Earth’s orbit have probed the complicated dynamics of moving droplets by circumventing the size limits imposed by gravity. The findings could lead to improved microchip fabrication techniques.

A compound comprising both one- and two-dimensional components exhibits an unusual response to a magnetic field, demonstrating the potential for ‘heterodimensional’ materials that can host intriguing quantum behaviours.

We genetically reprogrammed yeast to produce the alkaloids vindoline and catharanthine — the longest biosynthetic pathway to be transferred from a plant to a microorganism. In principle, similarly engineered yeast strains could produce more than 3,000 other monoterpene indole alkaloids and unnatural analogues.

A volcano that erupted with few precursory signals offers a test bed for seeking out ways of forecasting disaster — and a reminder that analysis on a global scale is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of volcanoes.

Investigation of sensory neuronal cells in structures called dorsal root ganglia reveals that these cells project into fat tissue, and act as brakes on the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. Thus, the sympathetic nervous system and sensory neurons work together to control the function of fat.

An improved approach has been developed for producing precisely designed immune cells called CAR T cells that recognize and kill cancer cells. CAR T cells generated in this way were safe and showed potential therapeutic effects in individuals with a relapsed or treatment-resistant form of the immune-cell cancer called B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Snippets from Nature’s past.

Precise optical experiments reveal that quantum excitations in semiconductors share similarities with a host of growing interfaces. The parallels inspire a fresh approach to studying the dynamics of diverse systems in a controllable way.

A leg bone and two arm bones of a hominin from Chad suggest that, seven million years ago, around the time that the human and chimpanzee lineages split, early hominins were bipedal but were also able to climb trees.

Porous solids have been dispersed in water to produce suspensions that can carry much more oxygen than blood can. Such ‘porous water’ opens the way to water-based formulations for biomedical use.

Snippets from Nature’s past.

The interior of the cell is organized with the help of dynamic structures that condense like droplets. A timing strategy ensures that cells maintain healthy function by avoiding uncontrolled growth of these condensates.

An analysis of the distribution of the elementary particles that make up the proton provides evidence that it contains a type of quark known as an intrinsic charm quark — verifying a proposal made four decades ago.

Variations in ocean oxygen levels during Earth’s history have been linked to evolution and mass extinctions. Simulations now suggest that the configuration of the continents has a substantial impact on ocean oxygenation.

Snippets from Nature’s past.

Activation of the RAF protein is key to the RAS–MAPK signalling pathway, and involves the SMP protein complex. Structures for SMP shed light on the process, and suggest fresh targets for anticancer drug discovery.

In 1987, two independent groups cloned a gene that encoded the potassium-ion-channel protein Shaker, enabling functional and structural studies that have transformed ion-channel research.

Immune cells called monocytes have long been implicated in the killing of invading bacteria. However, a closer look reveals a surprising role for them: monocytes partner with a hormone to improve skin healing after bacterial infection.