synthetic-biology

Nature Communications, Published online: 06 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-74000-4 Mapping cell dynamics from static data is a challenge in genomics. Here, authors introduce ArchVelo, a computational method for modeling transcription dynamics and trajectory inference using chromatin accessibility archetypes in single-cell multi-omics, and infer new T cell transitions in infection.

A team at Northwestern University has developed printable artificial neurons capable of triggering real neural activity in living tissue, according to a study published in Nature Nanotechnology. The finding matters because lab-built hardware isn’t just simulating brain signaling but producing responses indistinguishable enough from biological signals that actual neurons react to them. Led by prof…

Northwestern Medicine scientists have developed a novel synthetic biomolecular condensate that can degrade intracellular disease-causing proteins, providing a framework for new therapeutic approaches for a wide range of diseases, as detailed in a recent study published in Nature Communications. Shana Kelley, Ph.D., the Neena B. Schwartz Professor of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, and Biochemi…

Nature Communications, Published online: 05 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-73990-5 Cells carry DNA and RNA signatures that mark disease states, but few tools can both sense them in living cells and link detection to cellular outputs. Here, the authors develop SONAR, which uses target-dependent ssDNA ligation inside cells to detect nucleic acids and drive programmable gene-control outputs.

Diarrheal diseases, such as yellow dysentery and white dysentery caused by pathogens or viruses, in newborn piglets lead to substantial economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is frequently observed in diarrheic piglets and is thought to play a role in disease pathogenesis, although causal relationships remain to be established. However, developing reliable micro…

A team of scientists from across Asia has launched an ambitious project to create artificial living cells from non-living materials within the next decade. If successful, the effort could transform biology, medicine, and biotechnology while helping scientists answer one of humanity’s biggest questions: What is life? The project is being led by researchers from the […] The post Scientists launch 1…

Northwestern Medicine scientists have developed a novel synthetic biomolecular condensate that can target and degrade intracellular disease-causing proteins, providing a framework for new therapeutic approaches for a wide range of diseases, as detailed in a recent study. The post Novel Synthetic Biomolecule Degrades Disease-Related Proteins appeared first on News Center .

Nature Communications, Published online: 04 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-73512-3 Here the authors develop an antioxidant lipid nanoparticle to protect mRNA from oxidative damage, enabling stronger, longer-lasting protein expression and improving regenerative therapies and genome editing across different disease models.

A research team from ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich (UZH) has developed a novel approach to treating spinal cord injuries: controllable microrobots deliver stem cells directly to the site of an injury, where they promote nerve cell regeneration. In animal experiments, this approach signific...

Leading AI labs, executives, and scientists are sending a letter to lawmakers urging them to improve tracking of synthetic DNA sequences that could be used for bioweapons.

Nature, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01725-z A decade on from the launch of an ambitious project, it’s time to revisit the reasons for constructing a human genome from scratch.

The Unreasonable Redundancy of Nature's Protein Folds Over the last few years, deep neural networks have made generative language modeling dramatically more powerful, giving us large language models. A similar leap happened for continuous modalities like images and videos. Recently, similar techniques have been applied to the generative modeling of biomolecules with great success. Models such as …

A research team from ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich (UZH) has developed a novel approach to treating spinal cord injuries: controllable microrobots deliver stem cells directly to the site of an injury, where they promote nerve cell regeneration.

Nature, Published online: 02 June 2026; doi:10.1038/d41586-026-01731-1 Simulations of biological systems could transform biomedical research, but researchers are still learning how to reproduce life’s complexity without drowning in data.

Nature Communications, Published online: 02 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41467-026-73955-8 Cas12a self-processing of guide RNA transcripts limits its use for Perturb-seq by preventing guide capture. Here, authors develop a chemically degradable Cas12a platform enabling accurate guide assignment in gene knockout experiments and potent multiplexed, transient gene suppression.

Artificial intelligence (AI) can save lives. At least mouse lives. Empa researchers have developed an AI-supported computer model of a mouse body that uses machine learning to predict how different nanomaterials are distributed in the mouse organism. In line with the ‘Safe and Sustainable by Design’...

(New Scientist) – Embryo organoids made from stem cells are enabling scientists to recreate early pregnancy in the lab, unlocking treatments for infertility, miscarriage and pre-eclampsia The very first days of pregnancy have long been an enigma. Scientists are unable … Read More

Biological AI models (BAIMs) are advancing rapidly and hold substantial promise. Yet, these models raise dual-use concerns, particularly regarding capabilities that could enhance pathogens with pandemic potential. Current risk mitigation discussions for BAIMs are concentrated in the post-development stage, focusing on evaluations and safeguards, after a model has been trained. We argue that upstr…

Nature Chemistry, Published online: 01 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41557-026-02158-x Ultrathin single-crystalline 2D peptide structures are widespread in nature but challenging to construct synthetically. Now it has been shown that a metal-directed β-sheet-like assembly strategy enables the generation of free-standing ultrathin 2D peptide crystals—with programmable sequence, chirality and side-chain …