PAPERS TO WATCH

I. Coppens et al.," Toxoplasma gondii sequesters lysosomes from mammalian hosts in the vacuolar space," Cell , 125:261-74, April 21, 2006.

This outstanding paper shows that the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii exploits host microtubules to recruit and sequester host lysosomes into the parasitophorous vacuole. Through this process, the parasite gains access to host organelles that can provide a source of low-molecular-weight nutrients.

Eric Denkers
Cornell University, USA

V.N. Ngo et al., "A loss-of-function RNA interference screen for molecular targets in cancer," Nature , 441:106-10, May 4, 2006.

An elegant combination of bar-coding and inducible vector is used to express and detect small hairpin RNAs that target genes required for specific functions. Done systematically, it opens the way to a differential functional profiling of cells in health and disease.

Giulio Superti-Furga
Austrian Academy of Sciences, Austria

D.Y. Coudreuse et al., "Wnt gradient formation requires retromer function in Wnt-producing cells," Science ,...