Research Highlights in 2021

Single-cell GET-seq (scGET-seq) enables the probing of compacted as well as accessible chromatin in single cells, covering a greater portion of the genome, which provides insights into genomic and epigenetic dynamics.

A simple ‘binder/tag’ approach allows tracking of individual protein conformation changes in live cells.

Repair-seq enables efficient profiling of genetic factors involved in DNA double-strand break repair.

A framework to reconstruct tissue architecture from imaging data.

Technological advances in volume electron microscopy allow imaging and analysis of whole cells at record resolution.

Researchers identified a single-effector Cas, Cas7-11, that architecturally diverges from previous CRISPR single- or multi-component systems and can possess RNA knockdown activity without detectable collateral activity in mammalian cells.

An artificial system models the mechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment in vitro.

Directed evolution of adeno-associated virus capsids with the DELIVER approach generates tissue-specific viruses.

Four independent research groups have used proximity ligation techniques to profile the in vivo mouse secretome.

Reprogrammed natural killer cells show enhanced functional properties and anti-tumor efficacy.

NanoporeTERs, engineered reporter proteins, can be detected on MinION nanopore sensor arrays.

A deep-learning-based tool and a large ground truth dataset enable spike inference from calcium imaging data acquired in a variety of experimental conditions.

Researchers have registered a gene expression atlas to a whole-body EM volume of a marine bristle worm.

Researchers develop single-cell SPRITE to detect higher-order 3D genome structures in single cells.

A software platform for analyzing data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics data.

A single-molecule calorimeter measures the thermodynamic properties of individual proteins.

Sensitive synthetic protein-phosphorylation networks manifest fast bistable dynamics.

Researchers use an in vitro assay in combination with a polymer model to study protein–DNA condensation and how condensates bring distant DNA elements into close proximity.

A co-culture system to mimic the development of functional mouse oocytes in vitro.

Applying principles from super-resolution fluorescence microscopy increases the resolution of atomic force microscopy.