With deep learning methods revolutionizing life sciences, researchers bet on de novo proteins and cell mapping models to deliver customized precision medicines.

Ten years ago, scientists put DNA barcodes in AAV vectors, creating an approach that simplified, expedited, and streamlined AAV screening. 

Scientists have genetically modified isolated microbes for decades. Now, using CRISPR, they intend to target entire microbiomes.

Understanding biology’s software—the rules that enable great plasticity in how cell collectives generate reliable anatomies—is key to advancing tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

GETTING ON YOUR NERVES:Left: courtesy of Anthony Windebank; right courtesy of Christine SchmidtTo facilitate nerve regrowth, tissue engineers employ biodegradable polymer scaffolds. Shown at left, a micrograph of an actual scaffold used to stimulate spinal cord regeneration in rats. Center, a piece of neural tissue grows on an electrically conductive polymer used primarily for peripheral nerve repair (image colored for effect). At right, stained section of a peripheral nerve showing axons in red

With the help of directed evolution, scientists inch closer to developing viral vectors that can cross the human blood-brain barrier to deliver gene therapy.

Scientists around the world investigate how bat immune systems cope with viral attacks and how this information could be used to keep humans safe.

Meritxell Huch tackled her pipedream of growing three-dimensional pancreatic tissue in a dish.

This year’s Breakthrough Prizes honor advances in CAR T cancer therapies, cystic fibrosis, and Parkinson’s disease.