Research Highlights in 2019

An eight-letter genetic alphabet can form a double helix resembling natural DNA and can be transcribed into RNA.

Single-molecule imaging enables accurate distance measurements from two to hundreds of nanometers.

A virus-based tracing approach in combination with recombinase-mediated labeling allows the dissection of neuronal circuit motifs with subtype specificity.

Electron-energy-loss spectroscopy with a scanning transmission electron microscope enables spatially resolved imaging of isotope-labeled molecules.

Multi-omic study uncovers biological variation across 14 HeLa cell samples, which might help to explain the growing concerns about reproducibility issues in cell culture.

Scientists exploit the basic physicochemical properties of protein–RNA complexes to paint a dynamic portrait of the RNA-binding proteome.

A dual-barcoded shotgun expression library used in combination with DNA sequencing enables researchers to discover microbial functional traits.

The combination of image scanning microscopy and quantum imaging improves resolution up to fourfold compared with the classical diffraction barrier.

A search for more type V Cas12 family members turns up unexpected functionality.

vDISCO combines tissue clearing with nanobody-based immunolabeling for reliable high-contrast imaging of the intact mouse.

Functional ultrasound imaging enables unbiased identification of behaviorally relevant brain regions across the whole brain.

A protein nanopore sensor detects transient protein–protein interactions at single-molecule resolution.

A three-component system of epigenetic writers and readers preserves memory over many generations of cells.

Researchers have developed two optogenetic tools for probing and controlling phase separation in living cells.

Researchers have developed the first fully genetically encodable eukaryotic bioluminescent system.