New insights into the origin of biological chirality

Life is characterized by a selectivity for asymmetric molecules. A great deal of theoretical and experimental work has yet to explain why living organisms utilize only L-amino acids in proteins and D-sugars in RNA and DNA. Also unknown is how a form of life based on asymmetric molecules evolved from an environment containing a racemic mixture of prebiotic molecules. By what mechanism did this selectivity for asymmetric molecules take place?     

New insights into plant development in New England

This year, the biannually organized FASEB meeting 'Mechanisms in Plant Development' took place in August in Vermont, USA, organized by Martin Hulskamp (University of Koln, Koln, Germany) and John Schiefelbein (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA). The meeting covered numerous topics, ranging from patterning and differentiation to the evolution of developmental mechanisms. Despite apparent distinctions between the sessions, many of the talks were broad ranging and most highlighted unifying developmental concepts.     

New insights into mitochondrial fusion

Fusion controls mitochondrial morphology and is important for normal mitochondrial function, including roles in respiration, development, and apoptosis. Key components of the mitochondrial fusion machinery have been identified, allowing an initial dissection of its molecular mechanism. Outer and inner membrane fusion events are coordinately coupled but are mechanistically distinct. Mitofusins are mitochondrial GTPases that likely mediate outer membrane fusion. The dynamin-related protein OPA1/Mgm1p is required for inner membrane fusion and maintenance of normal cristae structure. We highlight recent findings that have advanced our understanding of the mechanism, function, and regulation of mitochondrial fusion.     

New insights into ageing bones

It has been calculated that, in the UK, someone suffers a fracture due to brittle bones every 3 minutes. A new, non-invasive immunological test could help detect the early warning signs, before its too late.     

New insights into tumor suppressors

A report of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory meeting 'Mechanisms and Models of Cancer', Cold Spring Harbor, USA, 13-17 August 2008.     

New insights into cell signaling

Cell signaling has been well recognized as a highly complex process, which mainly delivers environmental information into ceils. A number of regutating mechanisms of cell signaling have been uncovered in great details. Recently,IMCB also published several articles on new members or regulating mechanisms of various cell signaling pathways （Wu, 2013）. In this issue, the collection of four articles will add new aspects to understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell signaling.     

New insights into craniofacial morphogenesis

No region of our anatomy more powerfully conveys our emotions nor elicits more profound reactions when disease or genetic disorders disfigure it than the face. Recent progress has been made towards defining the tissue interactions and molecular mechanisms that control craniofacial morphogenesis. Some insights have come from genetic manipulations and others from tissue recombinations and biochemical approaches, which have revealed the molecular underpinnings of facial morphogenesis. Changes in craniofacial architecture also lie at the heart of evolutionary adaptation, as new studies in fish and fowl attest. Together, these findings reveal much about molecular and tissue interactions behind craniofacial development.     

New insights into motor cortex

An exciting new experiment on the motor cortex of monkeys, by Shenoy and colleagues, begins to elucidate how the neuronal ensemble travels in a systematic fashion through state space. This trajectory through state space may help to explain how the motor cortex sets up and then triggers arm movements.