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Journal articleStadinski BD, Mills EA, Humphries PA, et al., 2026,
Author Correction: Age-dependent Zap70 expression in thymocytes regulates selection of the neonatal regulatory T cell repertoire.
, Nat Immunol, Vol: 27 -
Journal articleCooke R, Burton VJ, Brown C, et al., 2026,
Future scenarios for British biodiversity under climate and land-use change.
, Nat Commun, Vol: 17Projections of biodiversity futures are needed to translate global policies into national action. We use dissimilarity modelling to project climate change scenarios for 1002 plant, 56 butterfly, and 219 bird species across Great Britain up to 2080. Under all scenarios we find extensive community reorganisation, with the disappearance of current bioclimates and emergence of novel ones. We also explore impacts of combined climate and land-use change, finding that even optimistic scenarios could see accumulating extinction debts. Scenarios featuring reduced emissions and a more sustainable society could bend the curve of loss, reducing species heading for extinction by 32% for plants, 14% for butterflies, and 20% for birds. Scenarios differ in impact between groups, with plants showing the most severe responses to environmental change. Overall, we show that actions taken during the next 20 years are crucial to mitigate the worst effects of climate and land-use change for biodiversity in Britain.
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Journal articleWang H-Y, Yuen ELH, Chen Y-F, et al., 2026,
A hydrophobic core in the coiled-coil domain is essential for NRC resistosome function.
, New PhytolThe nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat protein (NLR) required for cell death (NRC) family represents a group of helper NLRs that are required by sensor NLRs to execute hypersensitive cell death during pathogen infection. NRCs contain an N-terminal coiled-coil (CC) domain essential for their function, yet our knowledge of how this domain contributes to NRC function remains limited. Using site-directed mutagenesis and transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana, we screened conserved hydrophobic residues among NRCs and identified seven required for NRC4-mediated cell death, revealing a hydrophobic feature within the CC domain that contributes to NRC-mediated immunity. Structural analysis revealed that four of these residues form a hydrophobic core in the CC domain. This hydrophobic core is important for NRC4 subcellular localization, oligomerization, and phospholipid association, but not for NRC4 focal accumulation at the extrahaustorial membrane during Phytophthora infestans infection. Sequence analysis and functional assays revealed that this core is highly conserved in NRCs and some singleton NLRs but has degenerated in NRC-dependent sensor NLRs. Our study identifies a hydrophobic feature in the CC domain of NRCs and reveals its contribution to NLR-mediated immunity.
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Journal articleBannister K, 2026,
Peri-operative pregabalin does not alter behavioural or diffuse noxious inhibitory control responses in two rat models of chronic pain
, PAIN Reports, ISSN: 2471-2531Introduction: Multiple mechanisms contribute to the experience of pain where the use of model organisms to dissect mechanistically sensory regulatory circuitry is a vital component of discovering underlying causes of persistent pain in disease states. Such disease states can be modelled in animals using surgical procedures that, ethically, should involve administration of analgesia. However, since basic pain researchers often wish to measure pain-related events, animals may be denied peri-operative analgesia to avoid adversely influencing experimental outcomes. Methods: We conducted a structured review of peri-operative analgesia usage in rat spinal nerve ligation (SNL) and cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) models. Using a combination of behavioural testing and in vivo electrophysiology in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, we assessed the impact of peri-operative pregabalin on nociceptive behaviours in the acute recovery phase, and behavioural and electrophysiological experimental outcomes in the established phase, of rat SNL and CIBP models.Results: A literature search revealed that, for studies using rat models of SNL or CIBP, only 5.37 % and 12.69 % respectively reported the use of peri-operative analgesia. We then demonstrated that the use of pregabalin as a peri-operative analgesic reduced mechanical hypersensitivity in the acute period following SNL surgery, with no impact on behavioural, electrophysiological or neuropharmacological outcomes in the established phase of either model.Conclusions: This study challenges the basic science researcher’s reasoning that peri-operative analgesia confounds neurobiological outcomes. The use of peri-operative analgesia should be an important consideration to improve animal welfare in chronic models of pain.
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Journal articleHe S, Ishimoto N, Wong J, et al., 2026,
H pilin cyclisation and pilus biogenesis are promiscuous but electrostatic perturbations impair conjugation efficiency
, Nature Communications, Vol: 17, ISSN: 2041-1723During conjugation, plasmid DNA is transferred from donor to recipient bacteria via the plasmid-encoded mating pilus, formed as thin helical assemblies of polymerised pilin subunits. In the IncHI1 R27 plasmid-encoded pilus, the TrhA pilin undergoes cyclisation (via a peptide bond between Gly1 and Asp69), essential for conjugation. Gly1 and Asp69 are exposed on the pilus surface and conserved in all TrhA pilins in the Plascad database. Substituting Asp69 with Asn, Ala, Gly, or Arg does not prevent cyclisation or pilus formation, which remains structurally indistinguishable from the wild type. Conjugation efficiency of the Asp69 substitutions across multiple recipient species correlates with side chain size, in the order Asp69Asn > Asp69Ala > Asp69Gly. However, Asp69Arg, as well as Asp69Lys and Gly1Lys substitutions abolish conjugation, likely due to the positively charged pilus surface (opposite to the wild-type negative charge) forming unfavourable electrostatic interactions with the recipient outer membrane’s inner leaflet, composed solely of zwitterionic phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Consistently, conjugation is rescued in recipients lacking PE. These findings indicate strong selective pressure to maintain Gly1 and Asp69, as efficient DNA transfer depends on precise electrostatic and steric constraints of the pilus surface.
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Journal articleHe S, Sanchez Garrido J, Beis K, et al., 2026,
TraN variants mediate conjugation species specificity of IncA/C, IncH and Acinetobacter baumannii plasmids
, Journal of Bacteriology, ISSN: 0021-9193IncA/C and IncH plasmids commonly carry antimicrobial resistance genes, notably blaNDM-1. Although these plasmids disseminate among Gram-negative pathogens via conjugation, the mechanisms underlying mating pair stabilisation (MPS) and conjugation species specificity remain poorly understood. In IncF plasmids, MPS is mediated by interactions between outer membrane proteins (OMP) encoded by the plasmids in the donor (TraN) and by the chromosome in the recipient. Using the Plascad database, we extracted 1,436 TraN sequences from 1517 plasmids: 62.5% (898/1,436), mainly in IncF plasmids, are 550–660aa (we renamed TraN short, TraNS); 15% (216/1,436), in IncA/C plasmids, are 880–950aa (TraN medium, TraNM); and 11% (160/1,436), in IncH plasmids, are 1,050–1,070aa (TraN long, TraNL). One TraN, found in six plasmids from Acinetobacter baumannii (891aa), was designated TraN V-shaped (TraNV). Like TraNS, TraNM and TraNL contain a base and one distal tip domain essential for conjugation, whereas TraNV has a base and two distinct tip domains forming a V-shaped structure. TraNM, TraNL and TraNV determine conjugation species specificity, with TraNL cooperating with OmpA. Tip swapping reverses conjugation specificity, revealing how TraNM and TraNL diversity influence plasmid host range and AMR dissemination. Our new data reveal the molecular basis of plasmid host specificity and broaden our understanding of how conjugation drives the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes among clinically relevant bacteria.
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Journal articleXu V, McInnes A, Wake M, et al., 2026,
Structural basis for Rep-mediated adeno-associated virus packaging
, Cell Reports, Vol: 45, ISSN: 2211-1247Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are parvoviruses utilized as gene therapy vectors. However, the AAV packaging mechanism is unresolved at the molecular level, creating a bottleneck for vector manufacturing, safety, and efficacy. Here, cryo-EM structures of the Rep helicase packaging motor in complex with the packaging marker DNA (ITR) and the Rep-AAV8 capsid complex are presented. Rep-ITR complexes reveal dynamic oligomeric states on the DNA, elucidating the strand separation mechanism coupled to its ATPase cycle. We observe Rep preferentially bound to empty capsids, with a binding interface likely conserved across the virus family. This complex also unveils a cryptic capsid ATP-binding site which, alongside Rep binding, triggers structural rearrangements priming the capsid for packaging. Collectively, these findings advance the understanding of Rep-mediated packaging, with significant implications for parvovirus virology and viral vector design.
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Journal articleAlonso A, Kirkegaard JB, Endres RG, 2026,
Reply to van Haastert: Local competition between Ras/actin-driven protrusions.
, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, Vol: 123 -
Journal articleChen Y-F, Lin K-Y, Huang C-Y, et al., 2026,
Subcellular calcium dynamics and organelle perturbations in resistosome-mediated cell death.
, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, Vol: 123Plant nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat-containing (NLR) proteins act as intracellular immune receptors that assemble into resistosomes to execute immune responses. However, the subcellular processes during cell death following resistosome activation remain unclear. Here, we visualized the changes in calcium signaling and organelle behavior after activation of the NRC4 (NLR required for cell death 4) resistosome. We found that NRC4 membrane enrichment coincided with calcium influx. This is followed by sequential mitochondria and plastid disruption, endoplasmic reticulum fragmentation, and cytoskeleton depolymerization. Subsequent loss of plasma membrane integrity, nuclear shrinkage, and vacuolar collapse mark the terminal stage of cell death. Our findings reveal a spatiotemporally resolved cascade of subcellular events downstream of resistosome activation, providing mechanistic insight into the execution phase of plant immune cell death.
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Journal articleAdams G, Tissot FS, Liu C, et al., 2026,
Practical AI-based cell extraction and spatial statistics for large 3D bone marrow tissue images.
, Cell Rep Methods, Vol: 6Although the molecular regulation of hematopoiesis is well characterized, the spatial organization of hematopoietic cells within bone marrow (BM) remains unclear. Advances in microscopy have produced increasingly detailed images of murine BM, yet accurate and scalable methods to extract and analyze these complex datasets are limited. We present PACESS, a computational workflow for BM analysis that combines convolutional neural networks for 2D cell detection and classification with an automated method to extrapolate into 3D, spatial statistical analyses to define tissue regions based on local cell-type densities, and logistic regression to assess whether the relative abundances of cell types reflect reciprocal dependencies. Using PACESS, we investigate the spatial organization of T cells, megakaryocytes, and leukemic cells, revealing that distinct leukemic clusters generate diverse, previously unrecognized neighborhoods within the same BM cavity. PACESS, thus, provides a powerful tool to dissect BM architecture.
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Journal articleBiswas P, Matange N, Samanta S, et al., 2026,
The metallophosphoesterase Rv0805 regulates carbon flux and cell envelope homeostasis during growth of mycobacteria in propionate
, Journal of Bacteriology, Vol: 208, ISSN: 0021-9193Mycobacterium tuberculosis relies on host-derived lipids, including cholesterol, for intracellular survival, generating propionyl-CoA—a metabolite that must be efficiently assimilated to prevent toxicity. The metallophosphoesterase Rv0805 is required for optimal growth on cholesterol, and an Rv0805 knockout strain exhibits impaired ability to colonize the murine lung. However, the mechanisms underlying the essential role of Rv0805 under host-relevant conditions remain unclear. The deletion of the rv0805 ortholog (bcg_0857) in Mycobacterium bovis BCG reveals that both its catalytic activity and membrane localization are essential for growth on propionate, a by-product of cholesterol metabolism. Loss of Rv0805 impaired propionate uptake, altered cell envelope lipid composition with an accumulation of methyl-branched lipids, and reduced carbon flux through the methylcitrate cycle, ultimately depleting key central carbon metabolites required for growth. Vitamin B12 supplementation activated the methylmalonyl pathway, restoring metabolic balance and rescuing growth. These findings demonstrate that Rv0805 links propionate metabolism with cell envelope integrity, identifying its activity and localization as metabolic vulnerabilities that could be exploited for tuberculosis therapy.
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Journal articleSharma AA, Martinou AF, Cadar D, et al., 2026,
Integrated vector and arbovirus surveillance in Cyprus: first reports of Usutu virus and Culex pipiens bioform diversity highlight potential for zoonotic arbovirus transmission.
, Parasit Vectors, Vol: 19BACKGROUND: Anthropogenic pressures, including urbanisation, globalisation and climate change, have facilitated an increased risk for emergence or re-emergence of mosquito-borne diseases into regions such as the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East. Cyprus is a major stop-over site for migratory birds and has previously experienced outbreaks of West Nile virus (WNV). The island has native mosquito vector populations; however, it has also seen the recent establishment of invasive Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. Given the dynamic climatic conditions and the shifting ecological and epidemiological landscapes in the region, the need for routine vector and pathogen surveillance has never been more critical. METHODS: Herein, we present the results from localised adult mosquito surveillance that were conducted in two cities of Cyprus between 2019 and 2022. Mosquito taxa were identified through morphological analysis, and molecular techniques were used to further characterise the Culex pipiens bioforms. Engorged mosquito midguts were analysed to determine host blood meals. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing was employed to screen mosquito pools for arboviruses. RESULTS: Our results provide the first report of Usutu virus in Cx. pipiens mosquitoes in Cyprus. Blood meal analysis identified multiple vertebrate hosts, including Cetti's warbler, a bird species previously reported to be seropositive for WNV on the island. Additionally, we report the presence of both Cx. pipiens pipiens and Cx. pipiens molestus, an ornithophilic and a mammophilic bioform, respectively, as well as their hybrids. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced mosquito surveillance strategies where mosquito populations will be regularly screened for pathogens to mitigate emerging risks of arbovirus transmission in Cyprus.
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Journal articleGrimaldi A, Hobbs B, Stofella M, et al., 2026,
Amide Hydrogen–Deuterium Exchange in Isotopically Mixed Water
, ACS Physical Chemistry Au, ISSN: 2694-2445 -
Journal articleMATANZA X, Leung PB, Torraca V, et al., 2026,
Genome-wide analysis exploring mechanisms used by Shigella sonnei to survive long-term nutrient starvation
, mSystems, ISSN: 2379-5077Shigella is a major cause of severe diarrhea, with Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei accounting for over 90% of infections. Progressive economic growth worldwide correlates with the replacement of S. flexneri by S. sonnei as the dominant cause of shigellosis. The basis of the epidemiological shift remains unclear, but it highlights the urgent need for further studies on the increasingly prevalent, but less well-studied, S. sonnei. Here, we investigated whether S. sonnei is better equipped to survive nutrient starvation, a crucial condition for persistence both outside the host and within the colonic lumen. S. sonnei exhibited greater survival under long-term nutrient starvation (LTNS) than S. flexneri, rapidly activating survival mechanisms. We interrogated the genome of S. sonnei using transposon-directed insertion-site sequencing (TraDIS), revealing that metabolic pathways (ATP, nucleotide, and amino acid synthesis) and envelope homeostasis systems (e.g., Tol-Pal complex, Bam complex, peptidoglycan recycling, and RpoE stress response) are conditionally essential for LTNS. TraDIS findings were validated by non-competitive and competitive survival of wild-type and deletion mutant strains. We compared the homology of conditionally essential genes between S. sonnei and S. flexneri to identify genes potentially involved in differential LTNS survival between the species. However, S. sonnei strains in which a single gene was replaced with the S. !exneri allele showed wild-type survival phenotypes. This suggests that the divergent survival of these two species may be more complex than a monogenic difference. Together, these data define the molecular adaptations of starvation resistance in S. sonnei and provide insights into its epidemiological dominance in high-income countries.
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OtherGao M, Sandoval D, Prentice IC, 2026,
Separating stomatal and non-stomatal responses of gross primary productivity to soil moisture
<jats:p>Soil moisture is a major constraint on terrestrial gross primary productivity (GPP). In this study, we propose and test two hypotheses to explain how soil moisture limits carbon uptake: 1) plants reduce stomatal conductance around midday to conserve water, leading to a temporary decline in internal CO₂ concentration and photosynthesis; and 2) water stress causes a more general reduction in photosynthetic capacity, expressed as a decrease in the quantum efficiency of photosynthesis (φ₀), thereby lowering GPP throughout the day. Here, we combine Eco-Evolutionary Optimality (EEO) Theory with eddy covariance observations to separate and quantify stomatal and non-stomatal responses of GPP to soil moisture. Our results show that both midday stomatal closure and photosynthetic capacity suppression coexist, supporting both hypotheses, with their relative importance strongly modulated by soil moisture. Across most sites, the magnitude of midday GPP depression weakens with increasing soil moisture, indicating that stomatal responses are more sensitive under low soil moisture conditions. In addition, photosynthetic capacity increases with soil moisture, contributing to an overall enhancement of daily GPP. By explicitly separating stomatal and non-stomatal pathways through which soil moisture affects carbon uptake, this study provides a mechanistic explanation for the more conservative water use strategies observed in plants from dry climates and improves the representation of diurnal GPP dynamics in water-limited ecosystems.</jats:p>
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OtherSandoval D, Orme D, Prentice IC, 2026,
Right answers for the wrong Reasons? Testing water use efficiency responses in terrestrial biosphere models
<jats:p>Water-use efficiency (WUE) quantifies the ratio of CO₂ assimilation to transpiration, reflecting the trade-off between carbon gain and water loss. It therefore provides key information about ecosystems’ strategies for dealing with drought, as well as their responses and feedbacks to climate. From an optimality perspective, a robust theory to predict WUE is fundamental for exploring potential adaptations, shifts in vegetation communities, or migration, especially under future scenarios.Global estimates of WUE, generated by terrestrial biosphere models (TBMs), typically evaluate the accuracy of their predictions using observed fluxes. However, these evaluations often overlook whether the simulated sensitivity of fluxes to environmental drivers matches observed sensitivities, possibly covering flaws in the underlying theory, allowing models to produce “right answers for the wrong reasons”.Here, we assess the sensitivity of WUE simulated by the TRENDY models to environmental variables and compare them against sensitivities inferred from δ¹³C isotopes and state-of-the-art remotely sensed datasets derived from machine learning. We found qualitative disagreements (opposite signs) in the sensitivity coefficients of WUE to environmental variables, highlighting gaps in the current theoretical understanding of ecosystem functioning.</jats:p>
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Journal articleDuncan JA, Jerse AE, Martinón-Torres F, et al., 2026,
Perspective on the pathogenic Neisseria: milestones, challenges, and future directions.
, NPJ Vaccines, Vol: 11The 24th International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference (IPNC) marked a shift toward a balanced forum addressing both meningococcal and gonococcal disease. This drove discussion on how multivalent meningococcal vaccines are enabling the WHO roadmap to defeat meningitis by 2030, while highlighting growing evidence that effective gonococcal vaccines are achievable. Major challenges remain, including antimicrobial resistance, limited genomic surveillance and incomplete understanding of pathogenesis and immune evasion. These reflections shaped this perspective piece.
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Journal articleCator L, 2026,
A tiger is not always a satyr: role of male mating behaviour in interspecific mating interactions between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus
, Parasites and Vectors, ISSN: 1756-3305Background: Interspecific mating between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which act as vectors of a wide range of arboviruses, is predicted to have an important influence on their future distributions and disease control efforts. While interspecific insemination has been documented in a range of laboratory and field studies, rates vary between populations. It has been suggested that the outcome of mating interactions is driven by evolved variation in both the male ability to mate interspecific females and ability of females to resist interspecific males. However, there has been relatively little dissection of the behaviours that underlie interspecific insemination rates. Methods: We compared insemination rates between sympatric, allopatric, and lab-adapted strains of Ae. aegypti (Colombia, Arizona, and Liverpool, respectively) and allopatric and sympatric strains of Ae. albopictus (Montpellier and Colombia, respectively). We then used both live observations and high-speed videography to compare intraspecific and interspecific mating interactions. Results: We found very low rates of interspecific mating across all strains used. Both behavioural observations and high-speed videography suggested that female resistance behaviours were not responsible for low interspecific mating. Interestingly, we documented male Ae. albopictus consistently aborting interspecific mating attempts. Conclusions: This study provides additional evidence for strong pre-copulatory species barriers between Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus species and adds male avoidance as a possible mechanism to maintain these barriers. Considering female resistance, the ability of males to overcome that resistance, and male avoidance of interspecific matings together will be important for informing understanding of how we expect interspecific mating rates to vary across populations and respond to selective pressures such as mass-release strategies.
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OtherHarrison SP, Cain S, Ding R, et al., 2026,
An eco-evolutionary approach to modelling wildfire regimes
<jats:p>Wildfires are ubiquitous and an integral part of the Earth System, vital for maintaining the biodiversity and functioning of many ecosystems. Wildfire-induced changes in vegetation and landscape properties also have important feedbacks to climate through modulating water- and energy-exchanges and the carbon cycle. The current state-of-the-art global models used to predict how wildfires might behave in a changing climate capture some aspects of wildfire behaviour, but are poor at simulating fire seasonality, interannual variability and extreme fires, in large part because they do not adequately capture the vegetation-wildfire interactions regulating fire occurrence. Eco-evolutionary optimality approaches are increasingly being used to provide simple but robust models of vegetation functioning, and here we extend this approach to modelling wildfires.Fuel availability and fuel dryness are consistently shown to be the primary drivers of wildfire occurrence, intensity and burnt area. Differences in the timing of fuel build up and drying determine the optimal time for wildfire occurrence and give rise to pyroclimates with distinct wildfire regimes. The phase difference in the seasonal time course and magnitude of gross primary production (GPP) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) is used to provide a measure of the “propensity to burn”, which in turn can be translated into a probability for fire occurrence. An EEO-based model of the seasonal cycle of GPP is then used to derive litter fall and hence the inputs to dead fuel loads along with an empirically based formulation of decomposition to determine changes in the actual dead fuel load through time. We use an EEO-based model of biomass production efficiency to derive tree and grass cover, where the grass cover and dead fuel load together will determine the incidence of ground fires and tree cover the incidence of crown fires. We show that this simple model produces realistic simulations of spatial
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Journal articleLee S, Chesters D, Vogler AP, 2026,
Organelle genomes as universal standard for phylogenetics: a sociotechnical perspective.
, Trends Ecol EvolAssembling a densely sampled tree-of-life from genomic data requires the integration of disparate studies in phylogenetics, genomics, and ecology. Currently, we lack agreement on a standard genetic marker acting as a universal ortholog across all taxa and hierarchical levels. The universality and structural simplicity of organellar genomes, and the relative ease of their acquisition and phylogenetic analysis compared to whole-genome sequences, suggest they should play a greater role as a universal data standard. Standardization requires wide community acceptance, exemplified by the sociotechnical factors leading to its general adoption. Similar processes could promote organellar genomes as the next-generation standard in phylogenetics, with just minor adjustments to data generation and accessibility, to act as the anchoring framework for the current hugely diverse genomic data structure.
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Journal articleNesbit ML, Montauban C, Windram F, et al., 2026,
Mapping global bee research with traits and plant-pollinator interaction networks.
, Sci Rep, Vol: 16UNLABELLED: Bees sustain key functions in natural ecosystems and agricultural landscapes, yet our understanding of their ecology is typically informed from studies concentrated on a few model taxa. To reveal how this may be biasing our understanding of bee responses and function in the environment we quantify global patterns of research attention across 69,682 bee-related publications to test whether research effort aligns with plant-pollinator network centrality, trait variation, public interest, and socio-economic context. Human managed bees take up most of the research effort; importantly this trend has been increasing over time. Plant–pollinator network centrality is unrelated to research effort; here we reveal genera with high centrality but low research attention as prime candidates for future study. Both pollinator management and sociality have an impact on research effort. Excluding Apis and Bombus (the most traditionally researched genera), managed bee genera are the focus of twice as many papers as wild genera, with the managed share rising over time. Our study reveals and quantifies persistent global research biases and highlights the need for monitoring, risk assessment, and policies that target neglected yet structurally central genera in plant-pollinator interaction networks. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-41830-7.
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Journal articleBenton J, Cruañas Paniker C, Wain B, et al., 2026,
Reflections on bio-based PET and plastic waste management: a responsible research and innovation approach
, Nature Communications, Vol: 17, ISSN: 2041-1723Plastics drive twin crises: persistent pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Bio-based approaches using enzymes and microorganisms to depolymerise plastics and valorise monomers show promise but raise societal, ethical and regulatory questions central to Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). In this Perspective, we reflect on RRI implications of bio-based plastic degradation, informed by stakeholder discussions across the plastics value chain and public engagement. We identify broad support alongside concerns about scalability, interaction with existing recycling, governance and containment of genetically modified organisms, management of additives and contaminants, and the roles of regulation and economic incentives in enabling adoption.
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Journal articleCharalambous M, Hui L, Fox M, et al., 2026,
Investigating choice of and perceived efficacy of learning strategies used by STEM students
, Education Sciences, Vol: 16, ISSN: 2227-7102The use of appropriate learning strategies that accommodate working memory capacity is crucial for successful long-term learning. To our knowledge, there is little evidence in the literature showing which learning strategies STEM students use and their perceivedeffectiveness of these strategies. This paper addresses this gap by applying a mixed methods design to gain insight into STEM students’ learning behaviour in terms of the use and perceived effectiveness of available learning strategies. Specifically, we collected quantitative scoping survey data, complemented by qualitative focus group data to gain a rich, holistic understanding of students’ perceptions and rationales for using learning strategies. Students rated content blocking and problem-solving attempts as more effective than interleaving and using worked examples, respectively. Students differentiated their use of different learning strategies, using more worked examples than problem-solving attempts and more rereading than retrieval practice. Additionally, the extent to which they used a strategy was positively correlated with their knowledge about its effectiveness. Our data also show that the use of both highly and moderately effective learning strategies positively predicted grades. The focus group findings highlighted the complexity of learning behaviour in that students used a variety of learning strategies, depending on their learning habits, the nature of their courses, their motivation and interests. Students evaluated the effectiveness of a strategy based on whether it improved their grades and by the combination of perceived and actual effort required to use it. Overall, STEM students have limited knowledge of learning strategies and ultimately need support to engage with their learning in an efficient and productive way.
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Journal articleWang B, Kitney RI, Joly N, et al., 2026,
Publisher Correction: Engineering modular and orthogonal genetic logic gates for robust digital-like synthetic biology.
, Nat Commun, Vol: 17 -
Journal articleBurton GP, Botey HM, Ceci P, et al., 2026,
Impacts of climate change on fonio millet: seed germination ecology and suitability modelling of an indigenous West African cereal
, Annals of Botany<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Background and Aims</jats:title> <jats:p>Seed germination is highly temperature-sensitive, and increasing global temperatures due to climate change are likely to have a strong effect on agriculture. Improved utilisation of indigenous, arid-resilient crops such as fonio (Digitaria exilis) are a commonly proposed solution to improving food security in West Africa. This study develops knowledge of fonio germination requirements and relates them to future predicted climate conditions.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>We use an interdisciplinary methodology, integrating extensive laboratory-based seed germination experiments under a range of temperatures, with niche suitability and future climate modelling, to investigate how cultivation of fonio may be impacted by climate change.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Key Results</jats:title> <jats:p>By analysing 37 seed accessions from Guinea, Togo, Mali and Burkina Faso, we estimated the ceiling temperature for germination of this species to be 43 °C (s.d. = ±1.6), with an optimum temperature of 36 °C (s.d. = ±2.2) – as also noted from phenotypic observation of seedlings. There is no obvious difference in response by accessions originating from either hotter or cooler climates. By comparing these temperature thresholds to future climate predictions, tested alongside suitability modelling, we estimate a decline of 7.9–10.45 % in the future suitable area for fonio cultivation, depending on the prediction method, especially affecting Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso. Newly suitable area i
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Journal articleMolpeceres-García FJ, García-Miró A, Mateos-García E, et al., 2026,
Pseudomonas putida JM37 as a novel bacterial chassis for ethylene glycol upcycling
, Bioresource Technology, Vol: 443, ISSN: 0960-8524Ethylene glycol (EG), one of the main monomers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), is an attractive target for microbial upcycling. Despite this interest, there is a limited number of described organisms that can efficiently metabolise EG. Here, we report the metabolic and biotechnological potential of Pseudomonas putida JM37 as a novel bacterial chassis for EG valorization. We show that JM37 efficiently grows on EG as the sole carbon and energy source, outperforming other Pseudomonas strains. Genome sequencing and directed mutagenesis revealed that genetic redundancies in the glyoxylate assimilation pathways underlie its robust EG metabolism. Beyond biomass generation, we demonstrated the biotechnological potential of JM37. This strain was able to accumulate medium-chain polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHAs), dominated by C10 monomers, directly from EG. Moreover, JM37 successfully expressed heterologous biosynthetic pathways, including a violacein biosynthetic operon and a PET-hydrolase which has been secreted actively into the extracellular medium. Together, our results support the use of P. putida JM37 as a versatile synthetic biology chassis for sustainable EG upcycling and as a promising platform for circular bioproduction.
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Journal articleMajumdar A, Moulick D, Dey A, et al., 2026,
Micro-Scale Microbial Dynamics at the Soil–Water Interface: Biofilm Architecture, Non-Linear Response, and Emerging Methodological Frontiers
, Water Switzerland, Vol: 18The soil–water interface (SWI) represents a critical biogeochemical hotspot where steep physicochemical gradients across millimetre-to micrometre-scales create diverse ecological niches controlling nutrient cycling, carbon stabilisation, and contaminant transformation. This review synthesises emerging understanding of micro-scale microbial dynamics, biofilm architecture, and functional processes shaping SWI ecosystems. We examine redox stratification driving microbial community assembly, biofilm-mediated nutrient trapping and soil aggregate stabilisation, and dynamic drivers including hydrological fluctuations, viral lysis, and differential transport at gas–water versus solid–water interfaces. Advanced methodologies, microsensor profiling, cryo-sectioning, spatially resolved metatranscriptomics, and non-destructive imaging, now enable unprecedented resolution of SWI microhabitat chemistry and microbial organisation. Horizontal gene transfer within interface biofilms accelerates adaptive responses to environmental stressors. Integration of micro-scale observations into ecosystem-level models remains challenging but essential for predicting soil carbon sequestration, contaminant fate, and microbial resilience under climate change. Strategic SWI management through biofilm engineering and controlled redox manipulation offers novel pathways for sustainable agriculture and bioremediation, though it requires careful balance of multiple ecosystem functions.
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Journal articleBladon AJ, Akite P, Chowdhury S, et al., 2026,
Global Biodiversity Framework Targets Can Drive Action on Insect Declines, but Lack Robust Indicators to Prove Their Effectiveness
, Conservation Letters, Vol: 19Insects are the most diverse and functionally important animals on Earth. In at least some regions, terrestrial populations are declining. Despite this, insects are often overlooked in conservation policy, and it is difficult to assess how anthropogenic threats and conservation actions affect insect populations. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) aims to reduce pressures on biodiversity, increase conservation efforts, and reverse losses. At the International Congress on Conservation Biology in 2023, we convened a round table of specialist scientists and practitioners in insect ecology and conservation to explore how well the GBF addresses insect declines. We discussed and evaluated: (1) how well GBF targets could deliver for insects, and (2) whether the indicators proposed for monitoring progress would detect changes in the status of insects. We found that although the GBF's targets can drive action for insect recovery, almost none of the indicators can effectively measure progress for insects. We propose four principles to enhance the effectiveness of biodiversity policy for insects, and recommend the establishment of a global working group to develop insect-focused indicators. If implemented effectively, such indicators could provide evidence of whether restoration and conservation actions are putting us on a path to recovery of global biodiversity.
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Journal articleAyerakwa EA, Douglas EJA, Larrouy-Maumus G, et al., 2026,
Polymyxin heteroresistance in Klebsiella oxytoca.
, J Med Microbiol, Vol: 75Introduction. Antibiotic heteroresistance presents a growing public health concern, as the phenotype is associated with treatment failure and is hard to detect using conventional diagnostic testing.Gap Statement. Heteroresistance in Klebsiella oxytoca, an opportunistic pathogen associated with hospital-acquired infections, has not been characterized.Aim. In this study, we characterized polymyxin B heteroresistance in a collection of six clinical and environmental isolates of K. oxytoca.Methodology. We assessed heteroresistance using population analysis profile assays and LPS modifications using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF).Results. All six isolates tested exhibited heteroresistance, indicated by an 8-16-fold difference between the MIC of the bulk population and the MIC of the resistant sub-population, as determined using population analysis profiling. Heteroresistance was found to be due to the presence of a stable sub-population of resistant bacteria, the size of which was unaffected by growth phase or the presence of host antimicrobial factors present in human serum. MALDI-TOF analysis revealed 4-amino-l-arabinose modifications of the lipid A of resistant sub-populations.Conclusion. This pilot study identifies that polymyxin heteroresistance in K. oxytoca may complicate the treatment of infections caused by this organism.
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Journal articleAmofa JO, George J, Okumu NA, et al., 2026,
BioStruct-Africa's scalable framework for AlphaFold-enabled research training and sustainable workforce development in Africa.
, Commun Biol, Vol: 9Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming structural biology and accelerating access to protein structures, yet many Africa-based scientists still lack infrastructure, training opportunities, and sustained mentorship to fully benefit. Here, we describe BioStruct-Africa’s community-driven framework integrating AlphaFold, experimental structural biology, and computational drug design to train 1000 scientists over the next decade.
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