Reviews & Analysis

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  • Genome architecture mapping (GAM) enables understanding of 3D genome structure in the nucleus. We directly compared multiplex-GAM and Hi-C data and found that local chromatin interactions were generally detected by both methods, but active genomic regions rich in enhancers that established higher-order contacts were preferentially detected by GAM.

    Research Briefing
  • Cell type-specific transgene expression in mice has broad utility in biomedical research. We developed a versatile system for in vivo transgene delivery using adeno-associated virus (AAV). Efficient and tissue-specific transgene expression is achieved by regulating the expression of the gene encoding the AAV receptor, thereby precisely targeting AAV to the cell type of interest.

    Research Briefing
  • Our study introduces conditional autoencoder for multiplexed pixel analysis (CAMPA), a deep-learning framework that uses highly multiplexed imaging to identify consistent subcellular landmarks across heterogeneous cell populations and experimental perturbations. Generating interpretable cellular phenotypes revealed links between subcellular organization and perturbations of RNA production, RNA processing and cell size.

    Research Briefing
  • This Perspective discusses how machine learning can help in studying rare diseases using various emerging approaches.

    • Jineta Banerjee
    • Jaclyn N. Taroni
    • Casey Greene
    Perspective
  • A deep learning algorithm maps out the continuous conformational changes of flexible protein molecules from single-particle cryo-electron microscopy images, allowing the visualization of the conformational landscape of a protein with improved resolution of its moving parts.

    Research Briefing
  • We developed EmbryoNet, a deep learning tool that can automatically identify and classify developmental defects caused by perturbations of signaling pathways in vertebrate embryos. The tool could help to elucidate the mechanisms of action of pharmaceuticals, potentially transforming the drug discovery process.

    Research Briefing
  • Prime editing systems hold tremendous promise for the precise correction of pathogenic mutations. We developed a method to tag sequences modified by a prime editor to evaluate its genome-wide precision for therapeutic applications.

    Research Briefing
  • A new mutagenesis platform enables the fast, cost-efficient and automatable production of defined multi-site sequence variants for a wide range of applications. Demonstrations of this method included the generation of SARS-CoV-2 spike gene variants, DNA fragments for large-scale genome engineering, and adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) cap genes with improved packaging capacity.

    Research Briefing
  • Photoselective sequencing is a new method for genomic and epigenomic profiling within specific regions of a biological specimen that are chosen using light microscopy. This combination of spatial and sequencing information preserves the connections between genomic and environmental properties and deepens our understanding of structure–function relationships in cells and tissues.

    Research Briefing
  • We highlight the BUDDY software, which was developed to accurately determine the molecular formulae of unknown chemicals in mass spectrometry data. BUDDY is a bottom-up approach that shows superior annotation performance on reference spectra and experimental datasets. Incorporation of global peak annotation could enable BUDDY to refine formula annotations and reveal feature interrelationships.

    Research Briefing
  • Unlike cell surface proteins, secreted proteins are difficult to quantify and trace back to individual cells. We show that the capture of secreted proteins onto their source cell surfaces using an affinity matrix enables simultaneous measurement of protein secretion, cell surface proteins and transcriptomics in thousands of cells at single-cell resolution.

    Research Briefing
  • Cells exchange information with one another using secreted chemicals as data carriers. We developed an all-optogenetic synaptic transmission system that replaced a chemical neurotransmitter with emitted photons. This system enabled synthetic signaling between unconnected neurons and the generation of prosthetic synaptic circuits.

    Research Briefing
  • This Perspective introduces biologists interested in computational approaches to the benefits of the Julia programming language for meeting current and future computational demands.

    • Elisabeth Roesch
    • Joe G. Greener
    • Michael P. H. Stumpf
    Perspective
  • Simultaneous maximization of sensitivity, data completeness and throughput in mass-spectrometry proteomics often necessitates trade-offs. To mitigate these trade-offs, we introduce a prioritization algorithm that achieves high sensitivity and data completeness while maximizing throughput. With prioritized single-cell proteomics (pSCoPE), we consistently and accurately quantify proteins and their post-translational modifications in single macrophages and link them to endocytic activity.

    Research Briefing
  • Two new Brillouin microscopes leverage line-scanning to overcome previous limitations of the technique, enabling fast imaging, with low phototoxicity, of mechanical properties in living embryos of model organisms and tumor spheroids.

    • Nargess Khalilgharibi
    • Giulia Paci
    • Yanlan Mao
    News & Views
  • We evolved the brilliant monomeric red fluorescent protein mScarlet3 using a multiparameter screening approach. Owing to a newly engineered hydrophobic patch inside its β-barrel structure, mScarlet3 combines a high quantum yield and high fluorescence lifetime with fast and complete maturation. Consequently, mScarlet3 performs well as a fusion tag in live-cell imaging.

    Research Briefing
  • Integration of single-cell molecular profiling with cellular spatial localization has remained an elusive goal. Image-seq leverages high-resolution microscopy to spatially resolve and isolate viable bone marrow and leukemia cells for subsequent state-of-the art, single-cell transcriptomics.

    • John P. Chute
    • Joshua P. Sasine
    News & Views
  • Light-activated drugs and signaling molecules have therapeutic potential and are valuable experimental tools. Photoactivation of a mu opioid receptor agonist in the mouse brain rapidly triggered pain relief and locomotion, demonstrating that in vivo photopharmacology can drive dynamic studies into animal behavior.

    Research Briefing