To celebrate Open Access Week, we highlight some of our best-performing articles from the past year. We hope you’ll enjoy reading them as much as we have.
How many plasmids can bacteria carry?
Plasmids are the workhorses of synthetic biology- tiny DNA circles used to engineer new traits into bacteria. But how many of these genetic tools can one bacterium realistically handle? This study explores the upper limits of plasmid coexistence from a microbial engineering perspective, revealing how multi-plasmid systems could unlock more complex synthetic biology designs. The findings open new doors for tuning microbial performance in biotechnology and bioengineering.
Beyond chemical cues
In chickens, the iconic hexagonal grid of footpad scales normally forms through chemical cues that guide cell organisation. By increasing activity in the “sonic hedgehog” pathway, researchers triggered faster skin growth and stiffness- causing the surface to buckle into maze-like folds instead. The result: a striking transition from molecular patterning to purely mechanical shaping, offering a new view of how complex biological forms can emerge from physical forces alone. Read our blog with the authors.
Alzheimer’s and the mechanics of memory
A new study uncovers a direct physical connection between the Alzheimer’s-linked Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) and talin, a protein that anchors and senses mechanical forces at synapses. The team’s structural analysis suggests that APP acts as part of a tension-bearing bridge across nerve connections. When this mechanical link breaks down, it could destabilise the synapse and promote the production of toxic amyloid peptides- offering a fresh, mechanical perspective on how Alzheimer’s develops.Using CRISPR to probe life before animals
To understand how animals first evolved, scientists need genetic tools for their single-celled ancestors. In a major advance, researchers have established CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing in Corallochytrium limacisporum- a little-known marine microbe that represents an early branch on the animal family tree. This milestone allows researchers to dissect gene function in a key missing link, illuminating the molecular innovations that paved the way for animal life.
Meet Glissandra oviformis: the shape-shifting predator redefining eukaryote evolution
Researchers have described a brand-new species of predatory flagellate, Glissandra oviformis, and mapped its genetic and structural features in unprecedented detail. To their surprise, it belongs to a mysterious branch of eukaryotic life known as the CRuMs. By analysing over 300 genes, the study provides the first detailed glimpse into this obscure lineage, offering valuable clues about the early evolution and vast hidden diversity of complex cells.
Main image credit: Harosa eukaryotes, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
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