Reviews & Analysis

RagGTPases (Rags) play an essential role in the regulation of cell metabolism by controlling the activities of both mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and Transcription factor EB (TFEB). Here the authors review several diseases, termed ragopathies, that are associated with Rag dysfunction.

Artificial intelligence is greatly accelerating research in drug discovery, but its development is still hindered by the lack of available data. Here the authors present data management and data science recommendations to help reach AI’s potential in the field.

Biomarkers are needed in Parkinson’s for accurate diagnosis, to monitor progression and for targeted treatment. The authors reflect on recent imaging and fluid biomarkers for Parkinson’s and consider challenges in bringing them into clinical use.

Pediatric obesity is increasing worldwide and its contribution to the decline is sperm count has been questioned. By comprehensively reviewing the literature, the authors herein report molecular mechanisms that may suggest the causality of this association.

Reproducibility is key to all fields of research, and in the case of animal research, this can be hampered by inconsistent reporting of animal genetics. Here the authors propose a reporting framework and guidelines designed to discuss the validation and standardise the reporting of genetic backgrounds and genetic alterations in animal models.

Developing biotechnologies to address society’s challenges requires integrating concepts across disciplines, posing challenges to educating students with diverse expertise. In this Perspective the authors create a framework for synthetic biology training that deconstructs biotechnologies across spatial scales.

Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCAR2) is an attractive drug target to treat inflammation. Here, Shenol et al. discuss recent structural findings that elucidate HCAR2 interactions with multiple orthosteric and an allosteric ligand and with G proteins, providing insight into signaling through this receptor.

There is growing recognition of the need for a One Health approach for coordinated management of disease threats affecting humans, animals, and the environment. In this Perspective, the authors discuss a roadmap for a One Health disease surveillance system focusing on the example of wastewater surveillance.

Chemistry at solid-water interfaces is crucial for all aspects of human life. Here, authors propose to use a probability-based paradigm for formalizing chemical reactions at solid-water interfaces in continuum scale models.

A new role for the MEP pathway has emerged in oxidative stress detection, signalling, and response. The authors compile all the evidence and postulate that this sensing ability and response occurs through the oxygen sensitivity of its iron-sulphur cluster enzymes.

In their review, Angst et al. conceptualize how the ecological strategies of a multitude of soil faunal taxa can influence the formation of particulate and mineral-associated organic matter. The authors highlight research gaps and ways forward.

Organ on Chip platforms hold significant promise as alternatives to traditional animal models or cell cultures. In this Perspective, the authors examine the barriers that prevent widespread dissemination and deployment of these systems.

New and dynamically changing opportunities for commercial/private and civilian spaceflight raise the need for an examination of how to ethically guide space industry and community. This Perspective explores such considerations with respect to space traveler selection and human subject research.

High-resolution omics data have facilitated the ongoing Human Cell Atlas project. In this Perspective, Rutter and colleagues propose that a parallel Human Cell Space Atlas initiative would provide a platform for spaceflight-associated research and healthcare.

Recently, studies have identified different low-density lipoprotein receptors as functional entry receptors for alphaviruses. In this Perspective, the authors compare the known alphavirus-receptor structures and discuss why it might be challenging to generate a broad-spectrum entry inhibitor.

Post-lithium metal||S batteries show promise for practical applications, but limited understanding of cell parameters and sulfur electrocatalytic conversion hampers progress. This Perspective provides critical insights on potential research directions for designing practical post-lithium metal||S batteries.

The way we generate and treat plastic waste is a key consideration in the transition from a take-make-waste model to a truly circular economy. Here, authors discuss their views on how biotechnology could contribute to solving the plastic problem, and the barriers we need to overcome to make such approaches a reality.

Earthquakes are rupture-like processes that propagate along tectonic faults and cause seismic waves. Here, the authors present the challenges associated with defining and measuring the energy dissipation in laboratory and natural earthquakes across many scales.

future requirements for intelligent wireless capsule endoscopy, providing a comparative evaluation of various methods’ merits and disadvantages, and highlighting recent developments in six technologies.

Microbial degradation and biosynthesis of fluorinated compounds is a field of increasing importance, but is hampered by the significant toxicity of fluoride. Here authors discuss emerging ideas on microbial defluorination/fluorination and fluoride resistance mechanisms, providing guidance on how this knowledge can guide future bioengineering approaches.