Biophysics articles from across Nature Portfolio

In two types of roundworm neurons that can sense mechanical stimuli, the tension in the plasma membrane propagates rapidly, but it is spatially confined by periodic barriers formed by cytoskeletal and membrane proteins. This spatial restriction enables localized mechanical signalling, enhancing a neuron’s capacity to process multiple stimuli independently.

Cells change shape to move efficiently in a range of spatial environments. This response can be informed by the cell’s memory of past deformation.

We applied emerging label-free biophysical techniques to map the size, composition and shape of RNA lipid nanoparticles. By linking these physical measurements to gene expression in human T cells and mice, we uncovered structure–activity relationships that guide RNA delivery.

Cryogenic-electron tomography enables visualization of cellular architecture at the nanoscale, but non-adherent cell positioning on grids remains challenging. Here, authors introduce an affinity capture strategy to position lymphocytes and reveal unexpected extracellular filaments.

The study shows that time-dependent diffusion MRI detects subtle axonal changes in brain injury by identifying structural signatures of diffusive dynamics of water along axons, bridging cellular-level alterations with millimeter-scale imaging.

Arp2/3 complex forms branched actin networks that drive cell and organelle motility. Here, authors show that Coro7 targets branch junctions by binding Arp2/3 complex and actin filaments, promoting debranching, and supporting ER–Golgi transport.

In two types of roundworm neurons that can sense mechanical stimuli, the tension in the plasma membrane propagates rapidly, but it is spatially confined by periodic barriers formed by cytoskeletal and membrane proteins. This spatial restriction enables localized mechanical signalling, enhancing a neuron’s capacity to process multiple stimuli independently.

Cells change shape to move efficiently in a range of spatial environments. This response can be informed by the cell’s memory of past deformation.

We applied emerging label-free biophysical techniques to map the size, composition and shape of RNA lipid nanoparticles. By linking these physical measurements to gene expression in human T cells and mice, we uncovered structure–activity relationships that guide RNA delivery.

Synthetic DNA circuits and neural networks have previously been developed to process molecular information while consuming energy stored in kinetic traps. Now they have been re-engineered to take in energy from heat when the temperature increases, and to recharge themselves by restoring kinetic traps for subsequent computation.

Yasuhisa Mizutani marvels at how effectively nature utilizes the π-conjugated system of retinal in proteins.