eLife: magazine

Examining the role of lipids in hearing

Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The asymmetry of lipid membranes is tightly regulated in eukaryotic cells, and auditory hair cells are no exception.

How membranes shape up for lipid transfer

Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The extraction of a phospholipid called phosphatidic acid from the mitochondrial outer membrane is regulated by the curvature of this membrane.

Are kinocilia motile?

Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Gene expression patterns in the inner ear put an old question about structures called kinocilia back in motion.

The sound of neural silence

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A new fluorescent sensor makes it possible to track the neurotransmitter GABA in freely moving animals.

Does the brain really know what word is coming next?

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Apparent neural encoding of future words may arise from the statistical structure of language itself, rather than from predictive computations in the brain.

Taking the biology seriously makes models better

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A new biologically-informed training paradigm enables protein language models to predict affinity maturation trajectories for antibodies.

Hidden folds reveal brain organization

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Previously underappreciated folds in the cerebral cortex provide insight into how its structure varies across individuals.

Cocaine disrupts hidden states in the brain

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Cocaine use disrupts the encoding of abstract states in the orbitofrontal cortex.

How enzymes make the right choice during biosynthesis

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The biosynthesis of an important biopolymer called hyaluronan requires an enzyme that discriminates between two different substrates.

Rethinking how memories are retrieved

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Patterns of neural activity called theta oscillations have a role in memory encoding but – contrary to current thinking – do not appear to have a role in memory retrieval.

Two binding sites are better than one

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The reasons why two multiprotein complexes – VPS34 complex I and VPS34 complex II – are activated by different Rab proteins are becoming clearer.

Reshaping human neurons

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Human neurons derived from stem cells show increased structural complexity and stronger synaptic connections after exposure to psilocin, the active metabolite of the psychedelic psilocybin.

A missing link for efflux pumps

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A lipoprotein called YbjP could be the answer to a puzzle about efflux pumps in gram-negative bacteria.

Bacteria weigh up costs and benefits of mobile weapons

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Gaining the ability to kill rival microbes is not always an advantage for bacteria in complex gut microbiomes.

Closing in on the causes of chronic neuropathic pain

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Chronic neuropathic pain in mice is maintained by the translation of messenger RNA in inhibitory neurons, so drugs that modulate translational pathways may be able to treat this condition.

Replacing the immune system of the brain

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A new method enables engineered immune progenitor cells to replace microglia in mice and reveals how a genetic mutation can lead to inflammation in the brain.

Ancient photoreceptor shapes behavioural responses

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Experiments on Drosophila show that an evolutionarily conserved photoreceptor that senses light outside of the retina can regulate responses to direct visual cues.

A sense of direction

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Migratory moths use both magnetic and visual cues for navigation when travelling long distances in the dark.

Scaling up efforts to target evolving viruses

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

High-throughput neutralisation tests could lead to a better understanding of the evolution of human influenza.

The discovery of the mammalian fusome

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The presence of an organelle called the fusome in species as diverse as Drosophila and mammals indicates an ancient, conserved programme of germ cell development.

Synaptic footprints of time in working memory

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Temporary changes in synapses may allow working memory to keep track of both events and their timing.

Redefining borders in the sensorimotor cortex

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Experiments mapping individual neurons in the sensorimotor cortex of mice show that sharp transitions in functional properties can define cortical regions.

Lipids challenge ligands to control receptors

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The behaviour of a receptor protein can be influenced by the presence of certain lipids in the membrane it is embedded in.

MRI sets its sights on collagen

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Reducing the echo time of a whole-body MRI scanner makes it possible to image collagen, an important structural protein found in bones and tendons.

The cellular logic of limb regeneration

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hierarchical communication between cells with distinct positional memories orchestrates the regeneration of missing limb structures in axolotls.

Linking neuron-glia interactions and longevity

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Proteomics experiments on Drosophila reveal sex-specific effects in aging, and an important role for a protein called DIP-β.

Finding a role for non-coding DNA in trypanosomes

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Non-coding DNA is essential for both humans and trypanosomes, despite the large evolutionary divergence between these two species.

Lipid balance and chemoresistance in cancer cells

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A shift in the balance between two lipids – cholesterol and sphingomyelin – makes hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal cancer cells less responsive to certain chemotherapy drugs.

Probing the proteome

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Raman spectroscopy can be used to predict cellular physiology and proteome composition in E. coli.

Identifying new targets in the fight against opioids

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Experiments reveal that a time-dependent epistatic interaction influences how mice respond to opioids, and that intracellular fibroblast growth factors also influence opioid sensitivity.

Slowing the growth of drug-resistant tumors

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Using drugs that inhibit enzymes called CDK4/6 and CDK2 extends the G1 phase of the cell cycle and helps to slow the growth of drug-resistant breast cancer.

The little brain supervises learning in the big brain

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Experiments on mice reveal how the cerebellum modulates plasticity in the somatosensory cortex.

A surprising new hiding place for a dangerous pathogen

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The bacterium that causes TB can hide in liver cells called hepatocytes, and reprogram their metabolism for its own benefit.

Episode 101: December 2025

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 10:58:06 +0000

In this episode, we hear about the development of the visual system, nocebo effects versus placebos, cross-species insemination, telomere length, and efforts to recreate Darwin’s “warm little pond”.

Keeping track of moving targets

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A new method for tracking the activity of individual neurons day after day in the growing brain has revealed a key developmental transition in neuronal activity.

How one nutrient controls cell size

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The metabolic fate of a nutrient called pyruvate determines how big cells become.

Twists and turns in the story of learned avoidance

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Evidence that learned avoidance of a pathogenic bacterium can be transmitted to future generations in C. elegans is growing.

Focus Issue: Trained Immunity

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:15:00 +0000

Our latest Focus Issue looks at what we’ve learnt over the past decade and what’s next for the field of trained immunity.

How Shigella tackles host defences

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The pathogenic bacteria Shigella avoids detection inside hosts cells by degrading RNF213, the protein responsible for sensing the presence of intracellular pathogens.

Exploring a crossroads in the aging process

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Experiments on yeast show that the nuclear pore complex has a central role in the loss of chromosomes associated with aging.

How hunger guides new brain cells to their destination

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Blood flow and a hormone called ghrelin help new neurons travel to where they are meant to be in the brain of adult mice.

Probing the staying power of chemogenetics

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A study that monitored the expression and function of designer receptors called DREADDs in macaque monkeys for a period of three years demonstrates that they are effective in long-term studies of nonhuman primates.

Unlocking the longevity code with stress

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Manipulating the neuronal pathway responsible for the hypoxic stress response in the worm C. elegans leads to an increase in lifespan.

Tracing cell fates in embryos

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Differences in the activity of an enzyme called CARM1 influence the timing of blastomere polarization and whether they become part of the embryo or the placenta.

Targeting chromatin remodeling complexes to treat uveal melanoma

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A novel compound that inhibits the BAF chromatin remodeling complex causes regression in an animal model of the incurable cancer uveal melanoma.

Capturing enzymes in motion

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A combination of cryogenic electron microscopy and molecular simulations has been used to study the structure and dynamics of an enzyme called ACE.

Exploring the origins of a signaling pathway

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The 19 Wnt proteins found in humans are part of a larger superfamily of proteins that are also found in Archaea and Bacteria.

Regulating closure of the neural tube in humans

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

An organoid-based screening platform that allows one-gene-at-a-time knockdown across a whole tissue has been used to identify the genes that regulate closure of the neural tube in humans.

Episode 100: September 2025

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:44:59 +0000

In this episode, we hear about poison frogs, gut microbiomes and disease, queen ants and gene therapy, tapeworms and epilepsy, and the double-edged nature of trained immunity.

Is ‘number sense’ a sense?

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Experiments on domestic chicks shed light on the links between brain lateralization and the left-to-right mental number line.

A cell atlas to guide research into appetite control

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

An atlas of all the cell types in the dorsal vagal complex of rodents will help neuroscientists seeking to understand appetite and researchers working to design better drugs for the treatment of obesity and related disorders.

The wiring diagram of an entire animal

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A digital atlas of every cell in a developing marine worm reveals how networks across the body coordinate sensing and movement, and provides insights into the evolution of the nervous system.

Snapshot of an intermediate structure

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cryogenic electron microscopy has been used to determine the detailed structure of an intermediate state called a “D-loop” that forms when strands of DNA are exchanged during homologous recombination.

Mimicking early life-forms in the lab

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Studying the growth of bacteria without cell walls in an artificial environment can shed new light on the proliferation of primitive life-forms billions of years ago.

Nothing can replace polyunsaturated lipids

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Genetic studies reveal that polyunsaturated lipids do more than simply increase the fluidity of the cell membrane.

The consequences of stress on the brain and fear

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A region of the brain called the paraventricular thalamus mediates the impact of stress on unlearned fear responses, but is not involved in learned fear behavior.

Taking the tube to the basal pole of hair cells

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A stable microtubule network and kinesin motors facilitate the formation of presynaptic ribbons in sensory hair cells in the zebrafish lateral line.

Closing in on pacemaker cells

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Lymphatic muscle cells orchestrate the contraction of collecting lymphatic vessels in mice.

How plants pick their friends

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A protein called RIN4 has a central role in helping legumes such as soybean and the bacteria rhizobia to develop a mutually beneficial relationship.

Embracing the complexity of cooperation

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A theoretical framework for analyzing the evolution of nonlinear cooperative interactions is taking shape.

Aiming for spatial and temporal control of gene expression

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Bioluminescent imaging is helping researchers better understand the effectiveness of tissue regeneration enhancers delivered to injured heart tissue by different adeno-associated virus vectors.

Returning aging cells to productivity

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Platelet-derived growth factors can restore the proliferative potential of senescent cells taken from the degenerated intervertebral discs of aged humans.

The double-edged nature of trained immunity

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Trained immunity in alveolar macrophages can lead to damaging lung inflammation, confirming the importance of context in this phenomenon.

Searching for druggable targets

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A strategy that analyzes the structural properties of RNA could help identify regions that are promising targets for antiviral drugs.

Modifying gene expression through passive forces

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The mRNA metabolism passively shapes the levels of an mRNA modification called m6A within a steady-state cell and upon stress.

Episode 99: June 2025

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:19:10 +0000

In this episode, we hear about giant viruses, monkeys who wash their food, sepsis in infant pigs, how cancers can cause extra tentacles to grow in hydra, and the impact of speaking multiple languages on the structure of the cortex.

Reading the DNA of telomeres

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Experiments with tools designed to detect DNA damage reveal unique and conserved features of telomeres in cancer cells.

Multiple roles for a mitochondrial enzyme

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The enzyme arginase-II has an important role in cardiac aging, and blocking it could help hearts stay young longer.

A lasting impression

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Touch-sensitive neurons in the fingertips take previous physical contacts into account when relaying tactile information to the brain.

Unraveling the impact of genetic variants

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Experiments in mice reveal how three rare mutations in a gene called TRIO can lead to different neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Immobilizing bacteria to prevent infections

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The interferon-induced GTPase GVIN1 prevents bacteria from spreading among cells by coating them and rendering them immobile.

Virus attacks fish by muscling its way into cells

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Nervous necrosis virus typically enters host cells via endocytosis, but it can also enter via a process called macropinocytosis.

A back-up mechanism for replication

Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A protein called PriC allows DNA replication to proceed in Escherichia coli when the complex that usually initiates this process is compromised.

Did you see it?

Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cautious reporting choices can artificially enhance how well analyses of brain activity reflect conscious and unconscious experiences, making distinguishing between the two more challenging.

A pathway to sight

Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The breakdown of glutamine is an important metabolic pathway for the health and survival of rod photoreceptors within the retina.

A new mode of action for unconventional NMDA receptors

Mon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Presynaptic NMDA receptors can shape timing-dependent long-term depression in a way that departs from their classic postsynaptic role.

Epidermal cells and sensory neurons team up

Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Experiments in fruit fly larvae show that epidermal cells can communicate with sensory neurons to drive responses to pain.

Linking O-GlcNAc and intron retention

Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

An elegant screening strategy unveils a molecular actor that connects widespread changes in mRNA processing with a nutrient-sensing protein modification.

Not all dimers are equal

Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Disease-causing mutations in the signaling protein BMP4 impair its secretion, but only when it is made as a homodimer.

With a little help from T cells

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Specific host factors, such as immune cell activity, sex hormones and microbiota composition, influence the ability of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to colonize the gut of mice.

Reproducibility: How replicable is biomedical science in Brazil?

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 09:32:17 +0000

The results of a project to estimate the reproducibility of research in Brazil have just been published.

Episode 98: April 2025

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:58:18 +0000

In this episode, we hear about parasites as molecular matchmakers, drug combinations and cancer treatment, chemical defences in poison frogs, the impact of education on brain structure, and what movies can reveal about the organisation of the infant visual system.

When working memory works for our goals

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

When navigating environments with changing rules, human brain circuits flexibly adapt how and where we retain information to help us achieve our immediate goals.

How cell crowding causes cancer cells to spread

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cell crowding causes high-grade breast cancer cells to become more invasive by activating a molecular switch that causes the cells to shrink and spread.

Revisiting the role of Substance P and CGRPα

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mice lacking two neuropeptides thought to be essential for processing pain show no change in how they respond to a wide range of harmful stimuli.

Cell-specific tools for understanding behavior

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Novel tools that allow neuron-specific investigations of the structure controlling sleep regulation in fruit flies reveal the extent of neuronal heterogeneity.

When cell teamwork turns toxic

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In pulmonary hypertension, a combination of metabolic and mechanical dysfunction leads to irreversible vascular damage.

At the crossroads of calcium signaling, protein synthesis and neuropeptide release

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

By influencing calcium homeostasis, local protein synthesis and the endoplasmic reticulum, a small protein called Rab10 emerges as a crucial cytoplasmic regulator of neuropeptide secretion.

Bringing signaling complexity into focus

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A study in mice reveals key interactions between proteins involved in fibroblast growth factor signaling and how they contribute to distinct stages of eye lens development.

A tale of two caspases

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Macrophages control intracellular pathogens like Salmonella by using two caspase enzymes at different times during infection.

Integrating past experiences

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

New results help address a longstanding debate regarding which learning strategies allow animals to anticipate negative events based on past associations between sensory stimuli.

Science Under Threat in the US

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:44:45 +0000

The new administration in the US is conducting an assault on science and scientists – how should the scientific community respond?

Mapping out overlapping connectivity patterns

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Untangling the functional organisation of a brain region crucial for memory and learning helps reveal how individual differences are linked to variations in recall ability, aging and dopamine receptor distribution.

Revisiting the rete ovarii

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Long thought to have little relevance to ovarian physiology, the rete ovarii may have a role in follicular dynamics and reproductive health.

How herpes is assembled

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A combination of imaging techniques reveals how herpes simplex virus type 1 assembles within infected cells, highlighting the roles of essential viral proteins in viral assembly and exit.

Insulin control in fruit flies

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Investigating how the production of insulin is regulated in fruit flies reveals surprising insights that may help to better understand how this process unfolds in humans.

Activism and Science: Anne Urai and Clare Kelly on responding to the climate and biodiversity crises

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 10:30:00 +0000

How an economic framework may inspire new ways to tackle the climate crisis.

Growing arteries

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:43:53 +0000

A study in transgenic zebrafish and mice identifies previously unknown genetic switches involved in the formation of new blood vessels.

Enhancing our understanding of endothelial cells

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

What determines whether an endothelial cell becomes part of an artery, a vein or a capillary?

Mycofactocin and the mycobacterial electron transport chain

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the bacterium M. smegmatis, an enzyme called MftG allows the cofactor mycofactocin to transfer electrons released during ethanol metabolism to the electron transport chain.