Reviews & Analysis

Targeting DNA repair-deficient tumors is one of the most promising therapeutic strategies in cancer research; however, accurately predicting which tumors will respond can be a challenge. Here the authors present a review of the current state of knowledge in DNA repair deficiency across human cancers.

Inflammation is a component of many chronic inflammatory diseases and yet it is understudied in medicine. Here, the authors review novel insights in to inflammation and how impairment of its resolution can lead to diseases.

Indigenous peoples are still underrepresented in genetic research. Here, the authors propose an ethical framework consisting of six major principles that encourages researchers and Indigenous communities to build strong and equal partnerships to increase trust, engagement and diversity in genomic studies.

Synthetic biology often views the organism as a chassis into which a circuit can be inserted. Here the authors explore the idea of the organism as a core aspect of design, aiding researchers in navigating the genetic space opened up by SCRaMbLE.

Eruptive styles at a single volcano may transition from explosive to effusive behaviour (or vice versa) at any given time. This review examines the underlying controls on eruptive styles such as magma viscosity, degassing and conduit geometry at volcanoes with silicic compositions.

Excitons, quasi-particles of tightly bound electron-hole pairs, dominate the optical response of atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides. Here, the authors review strong light-matter coupling in two-dimensional semiconductors arising from confined excitons interacting with trapped photons or localized plasmons.

Metal dissolution from atmospheric aerosol deposition plays an important role in enhancing and inhibiting phytoplankton growth and community structure. Here, the authors review the impacts of trace metal leaching from natural and anthropogenic aerosols on marine microorganisms over short and long timescales.

Understudied in the Antarctic system are the subsurface interfaces between ice-sheet, ocean and geological substrate. Here, the authors review our understanding of these components and propose new avenues of holistic dynamic modeling to achieve a unified understanding of past, present and future polar climate.

Temporary association of metabolic enzymes is generally assumed to facilitate substrate channelling within the complex. In this review, Lee Sweetlove and Alisdair Fernie outline the nature and functional consequence of organising enzymes into assemblies, and discuss applications within the natural world and synthetic biology.

Rydberg molecules have been extensively studied both theoretically and experimentally. Here the authors review the recent developments in the study of various types of Rydberg molecules and their potential for future applications in spectroscopy, sensing and quantum information.

CRISPR has rapidly become an indispensable tool for biological research. Here Mazhar Adli reviews the current toolbox for editing and manipulating the genome and looks toward future developments in this fast moving field.

Estimating the magnitude of radiative and non-radiative feedbacks is key for understanding the climate dynamics of polar regions. Here the authors propose an inclusive methodology to quantify the influence of all those feedbacks, stimulating more systematic analyses in observational and model ensembles.

Condensation trails produced by jet aircraft contribute to anthropogenic climate change, yet the magnitude of their impact remains unclear. Here, the author reviews progress in understanding contrails since the last IPCC report (1999), assesses the remaining uncertainty, and identifies potential mitigating options and pathways forward.

What breaks symmetry in early mammalian embryonic development has been much questioned. Here, Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz and colleagues propose that compartmentalized intracellular reactions generate micro-scale inhomogeneity, which is amplified in the developing embryo, driving pattern formation.

Targeted delivery strategies based on nanocarriers have immense potential to change cancer care but current strategies have been shown only limited translation in the clinic. Here, the authors survey the challenge, progress and opportunities towards targeted delivery of cancer therapeutics.

The phase state of organic particles in the atmosphere has important consequences for the impact of aerosols on climate, visibility, air quality and health. Here, the authors review the evidence for the formation of amorphous glassy particles and the methods for determining aerosol particle viscosity.

Miniaturized spacecraft built from advanced nanomaterials are poised for unmanned space exploration. In this review, the authors examine the integration of nanotechnology in electric propulsion systems and propose the concept of self-healing and adaptive thrusters.

Inorganic compounds with multiple anions have added a new dimension to the discovery of materials. Here the authors review the recent progress in the development of mixed-anion compounds, focusing on the roles of multiple anions in synthesis, characterization and properties.

This review summarizes how predictive modeling, a method that uses brain features to predict individual differences in behavior, is used to understand developmental periods. Rosenberg et al focus specifically on adolescence and examples of characteristic adolescent behaviors such as risk-taking.