Reviews & Analysis

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  • Theoretical models and structures recovered from measured data serve for analysis of complex networks. The authors discuss here existing gaps between theoretical methods and real-world applied networks, and potential ways to improve the interplay between theory and applications.

    • Leto Peel
    • Tiago P. Peixoto
    • Manlio De Domenico
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • Synthetic biology encompasses engineering approaches to either redesign biological organisms with new molecular abilities or build up organism from the bottom to improve our understanding of life. Here, the authors summarize current approaches that can be applied for the synthetic engineering of viral replication cycles and discuss the potential DURC risk associated with such bottom-up approaches in infectious disease.

    • Oskar Staufer
    • Gösta Gantner
    • Joachim P. Spatz
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • While the contribution of sharp wave ripples in memory consolidation and decision-making is established in rodent models, our understanding of their role in human memory is incomplete. Here, the authors discuss common methodological challenges in detecting, analyzing, and reporting sharp wave ripples, then they suggest practical solutions to distinguish them from other high-frequency events

    • Anli A. Liu
    • Simon Henin
    • György Buzsáki
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Microbots have attracted attention due to an ability to reach places and perform tasks which are not possible with conventional techniques in a wide range of applications. Here, the authors review the recent work in the field on the fabrication, application and actuation of 3D printed microbots offering a view of the direction of future microbot research.

    • Sajjad Rahmani Dabbagh
    • Misagh Rezapour Sarabi
    • Savas Tasoglu
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • In this review, the authors define protein condensation diseases as conditions caused by aberrant liquid-like or solid-like states of proteins, and describe opportunities for therapeutic interventions to restore the normal phase behaviour of proteins. The review accompanies the related collection of articles published in Nature Communications focusing on possible therapeutic approaches involving liquid-liquid phase separation.

    • Michele Vendruscolo
    • Monika Fuxreiter
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • The impact of fungal infections on human health has been exacerbated by the rise of antifungal drug resistance. In this Review, the authors outline the problem of antifungal resistance and suggest how this growing threat might be mitigated.

    • Neil A. R. Gow
    • Carolyn Johnson
    • Keegan Edgar
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Key to life, water is an often overlooked or over-simplified factor in materials and biology. In this perspective the importance of water in biomaterials is discussed as well as the need to more carefully consider water’s role in every aspect of a biomaterial’s function.

    • B. L. Dargaville
    • D. W. Hutmacher
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • Acoustic techniques are moving towards the clinic. Here the authors highlight recent developments in the areas of acoustic mechanobiology, point-of-care diagnostics, in vivo manipulation and tissues engineering, and provide their thoughts on the current challenges and directions for future work.

    • Joseph Rufo
    • Peiran Zhang
    • Tony Jun Huang
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • In this review, the authors look at how recent progress in single-cell transcriptomics complement and enrich the classical, largely morphological, portraits of fibroblasts. The detailed molecular information now available provides new insights into fibroblast identity, heterogeneity and function.

    • Urban Lendahl
    • Lars Muhl
    • Christer Betsholtz
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • Building small-scale tools for biology research eliminates the need for time-consuming methods and enables novel experimental paradigms. Here, the authors discuss microfluidics' potential for manipulating or stimulating model organisms and identify barriers to making these tools accessible.

    • Nolan Frey
    • Utku M. Sönmez
    • Philip LeDuc
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • Precision oncology is important for patient treatment. Here the authors review the current applications of microfluidic systems to cancer precision medicine, and discuss the issues that must be addressed prior to getting these technologies into the clinic.

    • Jose M. Ayuso
    • María Virumbrales-Muñoz
    • David J. Beebe
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • Both alternative splicing and autophagy are core cell biological processes, but where they intersect has received little attention. Here, the authors reflect on recent connections identified between these pathways and consider their impact on human disease.

    • Patricia González-Rodríguez
    • Daniel J. Klionsky
    • Bertrand Joseph
    PerspectiveOpen Access
  • Large scale sustainable energy storage by water splitting benefits from performing the oxygen evolution reaction under a variety of conditions. Here, the authors discuss self-healing catalysis as a new tool in the design of stable and functionally active catalysts in acidic to basic solutions, and a variety of water sources

    • Agnes E. Thorarinsdottir
    • Samuel S. Veroneau
    • Daniel G. Nocera
    Review ArticleOpen Access
  • A grand challenge in robotics is realising intelligent agents capable of autonomous interaction with the environment. In this Perspective, the authors discuss the potential, challenges and future direction of research aimed at demonstrating embodied intelligent robotics via neuromorphic technology.

    • Chiara Bartolozzi
    • Giacomo Indiveri
    • Elisa Donati
    PerspectiveOpen Access