Reviews & Analysis

Annexins are calcium-regulated membrane binding proteins with an array of cellular activities. Here, Gerke et al. describe recent research highlighting the many functions of annexins and provide a view on directions for the future.

Optical computing via free-space-based structured optical materials allows to access optical information without the need for preprocessing or optoelectronic conversion. In this Perspective, the authors describe opportunities and challenges in their use for optical computing, information processing, computational imaging and sensing.

α,α-Disubstituted α-amino acids (α-AAs) have improved properties compared to other amino acids. Here, the authors provide an overview of the recent advancements since 2015 and discuss existing challenges for their synthesis.

Assessing the performance of self-driving labs (SDLs) is challenging due to the specificities of each experiment. In this Perspective, the authors review recent literature of SDLs for materials science and chemistry and suggest how to report SDL performance more effectively.

Engineering the form and function of root systems and their associated microbiota could provide a means to mitigate adverse climate-driven effects. Here, the authors review the recent developments in plant and rhizobacterial synthetic biology and highlight engineering targets for applications in root systems and rhizosphere.

Genetic risk variants for autoimmune diseases are largely enriched in T cell-specific regulatory regions. In this review, Raychaudhuri and colleagues summarise the findings of recent studies evaluating the genetic regulation of T cell molecular and functional traits in these diseases.

In order to complete the transition to the era of large-scale integration, silicon photonics will have to overcome several challenges. Here, the authors outline what these challenges are and what it will take to tackle them.

Natural climate solutions can mitigate climate change but misunderstandings about what constitutes a natural climate solution generate unnecessary confusion and controversy. This Perspective distills five foundational principles of natural climate solutions and fifteen operational principles for practical implementation.

Neuroprosthetic devices have recently emerged as promising solutions to restore sensory-motor functions lost due to injury or neurological diseases. In this perspective, Donati and Valle propose to combine neuroprostheses with neuromorphic technologies for designing more natural human-machine interfaces with possible improvements in device performance, acceptability, and embeddability.

Climate change could drive critical parts of the Earth system past tipping points, causing large-scale, abrupt and/or irreversible changes that harm societies. Here, the authors suggest that satellite remote sensing can play a unique role in helping manage these profound risks, by providing improved early warning of tipping points across scales.

Life-crucial membrane fusion and budding were traditionally viewed with electron microscopy. With recent breakthroughs that visualize membrane transformation in real time, Wu and Chan synthesize a new model with mechanistic principles and functions.

In this Perspective, the authors illustrate the physics of hyperbolic polaritons in anisotropic 2D and 1D materials, proposing new potential material candidates, forward looking opportunities and technological applications.

As synthetic biology permeates society, the signal processing circuits in engineered living systems must be customized to meet practical demands. In this review, the authors outline design strategies for the DNA, RNA, and protein-level circuits and the hybrid “multi-level” circuits.

Endangered polar ecosystems play critical roles in the Earth’s climate system and comprise many different habitats with unique organisms. Here, the authors propose a community road map to use multi-omics data from polar organisms for conservation, ecosystem services and societal gain.

High pressure and low temperature are the greatest challenges faced by scientists to explore deep oceans, which remain largely unknow to us today. Li et al. review these challenges and give insight into designing soft robots, inspired by deep-sea creatures, that enable resilient operations in harsh conditions.

The utilization of one-carbon assimilation pathways for bioproduction represents a promising direction towards a more sustainable bio-based economy. Here, the authors compare the thermodynamic efficiencies and energy demand of C1-assimilation pathways and discuss their implementation for energy, material, and food production.

To guide research and implementation of aqueous organic redox flow batteries it is essential to estimate their potential costs. In this perspective, the authors present an overview of the potential cost of organic active materials for aqueous flow batteries and identify cost reduction routes.

Using one carbon (C1) molecules as primary feedstock for bioproduction holds great potential for a circular and carbon neutral economy. Here, the authors discuss the potential of merging knowledge gained from natural and synthetic C1-trophic organisms to expedite the development of efficient C1-based biomanufacturing.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has become an indispensable tool to investigate dynamic natures of electrocatalysts. In this perspective, advanced X-ray spectroscopies are highlighted in a complementary way, providing a promising research model for solid-liquid interface and (electro)catalysis studies.