March 2024 · 6 Articles · Pages 1–79
March 2024
Open Access6 Articles · Pages 1–79
Modern biological research increasingly requires the integration of diverse disciplines, from computational science and engineering to the social sciences. This editorial argues for a more deliberate embrace of interdisciplinary collaboration in the life sciences, highlighting successful examples of convergent research and discussing how journals, funding agencies, and academic institutions can better support cross-disciplinary work.
The success of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has catalyzed rapid expansion of mRNA therapeutics into diverse clinical applications. This review surveys the current landscape of mRNA-based therapies beyond vaccination, including protein replacement for rare genetic diseases, cancer immunotherapy via personalized neoantigen vaccines, and in vivo gene editing delivery. We discuss the critical advances in lipid nanoparticle formulation, nucleoside modifications, and targeting strategies that are enabling these applications, alongside the remaining challenges for clinical translation.
The giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) possesses one of the largest known conifer genomes, yet a high-quality reference assembly has been lacking. Using a combination of PacBio HiFi long reads and Hi-C chromatin conformation data, we present a chromosome-scale assembly spanning 8.1 gigabases with an N50 of 420 megabases. Comparative genomic analysis reveals extensive expansion of disease resistance gene families and tandem duplications in lignin biosynthesis pathways, providing insights into the exceptional longevity and pathogen resistance of this iconic species.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor response in melanoma varies widely among patients, and emerging evidence suggests the gut microbiome may modulate treatment efficacy. We profiled the gut microbiota of 120 melanoma patients prior to anti-PD-1 therapy using shotgun metagenomics and correlated microbial features with clinical outcomes. A machine learning classifier based on 12 microbial species and their functional pathways predicted treatment response with 83% accuracy, identifying Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila as key taxa associated with favorable outcomes.
Understanding the three-dimensional organization of the developing vertebrate brain requires imaging approaches that combine high resolution with whole-organ coverage. Using lattice light-sheet microscopy and tissue clearing in transgenic zebrafish larvae, we reconstructed the complete neuronal architecture of the brain at cellular resolution across five developmental stages. Our atlas reveals previously unappreciated spatial organization of interneuron subtypes and maps the developmental trajectory of major axon tracts with single-cell precision.
We developed a CRISPR-Cas13-based diagnostic assay for the rapid detection and subtyping of avian influenza viruses directly from cloacal swab samples. The assay distinguishes H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2 subtypes within 45 minutes without the need for RNA extraction or thermal cycling equipment. Field testing in poultry farms across three countries demonstrated 97% sensitivity and 99% specificity compared to RT-qPCR, establishing this platform as a viable point-of-care diagnostic for avian influenza surveillance.