@article{22306, abstract = {The AP3 complex mediates cargo sorting and carrier assembly for the trafficking of transmembrane proteins from endosomes to lysosomes. AP3 is generally believed to localize to clathrin-free, ARF1-positive, elongated carriers in cells, but the architecture of AP3-based coats was unknown. Using in vitro reconstitution and cryo–electron tomography, we demonstrate that AP3:ARF1 spontaneously remodels membranes containing cargo and the phosphoinositide PI(3,5)P 2 into tubular structures coated in spiraling rows of AP3 arches and ARF1 dimers. Targeted point mutations disrupting critical AP3:ARF1 and AP3:AP3 lattice interfaces disrupt AP3 recruitment, carrier formation, and lysosomal cargo trafficking in cells. We propose that AP3 generates tubular carriers on endosomes by organizing ARF1 dimers into elongated membrane-deforming arrays while simultaneously selecting cargo. By demonstrating that AP3:ARF1 can generate carriers without using a clathrin lattice, we explain the clathrin independence of AP3-mediated trafficking.}, author = {Kaufman, Jonathan G.G. and Tagiltsev, Grigory and Stalder, Danièle S. and Taylor, Rebecca J. and Sava, Ioana and Guo, Hui and Ciazynska, Katarzyna A. and Zaccai, Nathan R. and Gray, Sally R. and Vallis, Yvonne and Höning, Stefan and Kelly, Bernard T. and Gershlick, David C. and Briggs, John A.G. and Owen, David J.}, issn = {2375-2548}, journal = {Science Advances}, number = {20}, publisher = {AAAS}, title = {{Architecture of clathrin-independent AP3:ARF1-coated carriers}}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.aed1529}, volume = {12}, year = {2026}, } @article{21340, abstract = {Equilibrium quantum systems are often described by a gas of weakly interacting normal modes. Bringing such systems far from equilibrium, however, can drastically enhance mode-to-mode interactions. Understanding the resulting liquid is a fundamental question for quantum statistical mechanics and a practical question for engineering driven quantum devices. To tackle this question, we probe the non-equilibrium kinetics of one-dimensional plasmons in a long chain of Josephson junctions. We introduce multimode spectroscopy to controllably study the departure from equilibrium, witnessing the evolution from pairwise coupling between plasma modes at weak driving to dramatic, high-order, cascaded couplings at strong driving. Scaling to many-mode drives, we stimulate interactions between hundreds of modes, resulting in near-continuum internal dynamics. Imaging the resulting non-equilibrium plasmon populations, we then resolve the nonlocal redistribution of energy in the response to a weak perturbation—an explicit verification of the emergence of a strongly interacting, non-equilibrium liquid of plasmons.}, author = {Bubis, Anton and Vigliotti, Lucia and Serbyn, Maksym and Higginbotham, Andrew P}, issn = {2375-2548}, journal = {Science Advances}, number = {7}, publisher = {AAAS}, title = {{Non-equilibrium plasmon liquid in a Josephson junction chain}}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.ady7222}, volume = {12}, year = {2026}, } @article{21383, abstract = {Planarian flatworms are known for their remarkable regenerative capacity; however, the precise intercellular communication mechanisms underlying this process remain unsolved. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of abundant extracellular vesicles (EVs) in planarians. Using imaging and molecular analysis, we show conservation of biogenesis, morphology, and protein composition of planarian EVs. Environmental stressors significantly elevate EV release, indicating that planarians dynamically regulate vesicle production. Functionally, planarian EVs mediate intercellular communication by transferring regulatory signals: We find that they shuttle small RNAs that effect systemic RNA interference (RNAi) throughout the organism. Notably, gene knockdown experiments reveal a crucial role for AGO-3, a member of the Argonaute family of proteins, in modulating the association of small interfering RNAs with EVs, linking the intracellular RNAi machinery to EV-based signaling. These findings highlight EVs as pivotal mediators of cell-cell communication in planarians, with broad implications for understanding the coordination of gene regulation and tissue regeneration in animals.}, author = {Sasidharan, Vidyanand and Ancellotti, Laura and Doddihal, Viraj and Brewster, Carolyn and Mann, Frederick and McKinney, Mary Cathleen and Varberg, Joseph and Ross, Eric and Deng, Fengyan and Yi, Kexi and Sánchez Alvarado, Alejandro}, issn = {2375-2548}, journal = {Science Advances}, number = {6}, publisher = {AAAS}, title = {{Extracellular vesicles mediate stem cell signaling and systemic RNAi in planarians}}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.ady1461}, volume = {12}, year = {2026}, } @article{21707, abstract = {Structural and functional differences between brain hemispheres are a common feature of animal nervous systems with reduced bilateral asymmetry often linked to impaired cognitive performance. How neuronal left-right asymmetry is initiated and integrated into a bilaterally symmetrical ground pattern is poorly understood. Here, we show that the directional asymmetry of a Drosophila central brain circuit originates from axonal interactions of two types of bilateral pioneer neurons. Subsequent recruitment of neighboring neurons into the asymmetric neuropil primordium results in hemisphere-specific microcircuits. Circuit lateralization requires dynamic expression of the cell adhesion molecule Fasciclin 2 to maintain structural plasticity in axonal remodeling. Reduced circuit asymmetry following cell type–specific Fasciclin 2 manipulation affects adult brain function. These results reveal an unexpected degree of developmental plasticity of late-born Drosophila neurons in the formation of a circuit node via the lateralized recruitment of symmetric circuit components.}, author = {Markovitsch, Johann W. and Mitić, Daniel and Del Pilar Jiménez García, Alisa and Zane, Alsberga and Kainz, Sarah and Kaur, Rashmit and Hummel, Thomas}, issn = {2375-2548}, journal = {Science Advances}, number = {13}, publisher = {AAAS}, title = {{Sequential formation of Drosophila circuit asymmetry via prolonged structural plasticity}}, doi = {10.1126/sciadv.aea6020}, volume = {12}, year = {2026}, } @article{22315, abstract = {Plant tropisms enable roots to navigate complex soils by responding to directional environmental cues. Biological decay, although central to nutrient cycling, also creates microbially active and potentially hostile niches. In this work, we identified “saprotropism,” a previously unrecognized growth response that enables roots to actively bend away from decaying plant-derived matter. Fungal-driven microbial decomposition released organic acids and formed stable pH gradients in surrounding soil, allowing roots to pinpoint decay without direct contact. Root epidermal cells sensed this acidic gradient through the root meristem growth factor peptide-receptor module, converting external pH asymmetry into asymmetric abscisic acid (ABA) distribution. ABA asymmetry drove microtubule reorganization, which was decoded into decay-avoidant root bending. Together, these findings establish microbial decay–derived chemical gradients as an instructive signal for root navigation and expand the framework of microbe-soil-plant communication.}, author = {Bao, Zhulatai and Wang, Huihui and Zhang, Ai and Gao, Ruxi and Gu, Wen and Fan, Ni and Friml, Jiří and Zhang, Yuzhou}, issn = {1095-9203}, journal = {Science}, number = {6807}, publisher = {AAAS}, title = {{Roots navigate around decay regions by sensing local pH gradients}}, doi = {10.1126/science.adw6568}, volume = {393}, year = {2026}, } @article{23044, abstract = {We report the discovery of 31 new high-z quasars in the redshift range 6.6 < z < 7.8. These quasars were selected from approximately 3000 deg2 of sky covered during the first 1.5 years of the Euclid Wide Survey, representing the initial results of the Euclid high-z quasar search. Our candidate selection employed multiple machine-learning and probabilistic techniques applied to the EuclidIE, YE, JE, and HE images, supplemented by ancillary z-band data when available. Spectroscopic follow-up observations were carried out with Keck, Magellan, and the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). Among the new discoveries, there are 12 quasars at z ≥ 7, more than doubling the number of previously known quasars at z ≥ 7. The newly discovered quasars exhibit 21.2 < JE < 23.2 (−25.5 < M1450 < −23.6), extending quasar studies to the faint end of the quasar luminosity function (QLF) at z ≳ 7. The quasar with the highest-z, EUCL J172902.75+641018.1 at z ≈ 7.77, sets the new redshift record for the most distant quasar ever reported. These discoveries demonstrate Euclid’s transformative role in high-z quasar discovery and set the stage for future follow-up studies of the early galaxies hosting quasars, supermassive black hole growth, and the intergalactic medium in the epoch of reionisation.}, author = {Yang, D. and Hennawi, J. F. and Guarneri, F. and Wolf, J. and Belladitta, S. and Schindler, J. T. and Hughes, A. C.N. and Bañados, E. and Mortlock, D. J. and Yang, J. and Wang, F. and Fan, X. and Jahnke, K. and Stern, D. and Willott, C. J. and Barth, A. J. and Rottgering, H. J.A. and Varadaraj, R. G. and Decarli, R. and Eilers, A. C. and Ezziati, M. and Fu, Y. and Huang, J. and Jin, X. and Kang, Y. and Martinez-Ramirez, L. N. and Matsuoka, Y. and Onoue, M. and Pello, R. and Remigio, R. P. and Tee, W. L. and Venemans, B. and Vietri, G. and Wang, B. and Abbo, L. J. and Atek, H. and Bisogni, S. and Bosman, S. E.I. and Bowler, R. A.A. and Conselice, C. J. and Davies, F. B. and Gutierrez, C. M. and Harikane, Y. and Rubinur, K. and Lovell, C. C. and Magliocchetti, M. and Matthee, Jorryt J and Ricci, F. and Scialpi, M. and Scott, D. and Spinoglio, L. and Tarsitano, F. and Toba, Y. and Walter, F. and Weaver, J. R. and Zamorani, G. and Altieri, B. and Amara, A. and Andreon, S. and Aussel, H. and Baccigalupi, C. and Baldi, M. and Balestra, A. and Bardelli, S. and Battaglia, P. and Biviano, A. and Branchini, E. and Brescia, M. and Camera, S. and Cañas-Herrera, G. and Capobianco, V. and Carbone, C. and Carretero, J. and Castellano, M. and Castignani, G. and Cavuoti, S. and Chambers, K. C. and Cimatti, A. and Colodro-Conde, C. and Congedo, G. and Conversi, L. and Copin, Y. and Courbin, F. and Courtois, H. M. and Cropper, M. and Cuillandre, J. C. and Degaudenzi, H. and De Lucia, G. and Dolding, C. and Dole, H. and Douspis, M. and Dubath, F. and Dupac, X. and Dusini, S. and Escoffier, S. and Farina, M. and Farinelli, R. and Ferriol, S. and Finelli, F. and Fourmanoit, N. and Frailis, M. and Franceschi, E. and Fumana, M. and Galeotta, S. and George, K. and Gillis, B. and Giocoli, C. and Gómez-Alvarez, P. and Gracia-Carpio, J. and Grazian, A. and Grupp, F. and Guzzo, L. and Gwyn, S. and Haugan, S. V.H. and Hoekstra, H. and Holmes, W. and Hook, I. M. and Hormuth, F. and Hornstrup, A. and Jhabvala, M. and Kermiche, S. and Kubik, B. and Kuijken, K. and Kümmel, M. and Kunz, M. and Kurki-Suonio, H. and Le Brun, A. M.C. and Ligori, S. and Lilje, P. B. and Lindholm, V. and Lloro, I. and Mainetti, G. and Maino, D. and Maiorano, E. and Mansutti, O. and Marggraf, O. and Martinelli, M. and Martinet, N. and Marulli, F. and Massey, R. J. and Mccracken, H. J. and Medinaceli, E. and Mei, S. and Mellier, Y. and Meneghetti, M. and Merlin, E. and Meylan, G. and Mohr, J. J. and Mora, A. and Moresco, M. and Moscardini, L. and Munari, E. and Nakajima, R. and Neissner, C. and Nichol, R. C. and Niemi, S. M. and Padilla, C. and Paltani, S. and Pasian, F. and Pedersen, K. and Percival, W. J. and Pettorino, V. and Pires, S. and Polenta, G. and Poncet, M. and Popa, L. A. and Pozzetti, L. and Racca, G. D. and Raison, F. and Rebolo, R. and Renzi, A. and Rhodes, J. and Riccio, G. and Rix, H. W. and Romelli, E. and Roncarelli, M. and Rosset, C. and Rusholme, B. and Saglia, R. and Sakr, Z. and Sapone, D. and Sauvage, M. and Schirmer, M. and Schneider, P. and Schrabback, T. and Secroun, A. and Seidel, G. and Serrano, S. and Sihvola, E. and Simon, P. and Sirignano, C. and Sirri, G. and Stanco, L. and Steinwagner, J. and Tallada-Crespí, P. and Tereno, I. and Tessore, N. and Toft, S. and Toledo-Moreo, R. and Torradeflot, F. and Tutusaus, I. and Valenziano, L. and Valiviita, J. and Vassallo, T. and Wang, Y. and Weller, J. and Zerbi, F. M. and Zucca, E. and Fabbian, G. and Huertas-Company, M. and Martín-Fleitas, J. and Monaco, P. and Scottez, V. and Viel, M.}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{Euclid: Discovery of 31 new quasars at 6.6 < z < 7.8}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202658883}, volume = {711}, year = {2026}, } @article{23049, abstract = {We investigate the properties of extreme emission line galaxies (EELGs) at z = 4 − 9 and their role in reionization. Compact, low-mass galaxies with intense optical emission lines are linked to elevated specific star formation rates (sSFRs) and recent bursts of star formation. Feedback in these systems may enable the leakage of ionizing radiation into the intergalactic medium. Using JWST/NIRSpec spectroscopy from the CAPERS, CEERS, and RUBIES surveys, we compiled 160 NIRCam-selected EELGs in the EGS field. These galaxies show extreme rest-frame equivalent widths (EWs), with a median EW([O III]+Hβ) = 1616 Å and EW(Hα) = 763 Å. They are low-mass (median log(M★/M⊙) = 8.26) with high sSFRs (median 43 Gyr−1), above the z ∼ 6 main sequence. UV slopes are diverse, with a median value of β = −2.0, and only 7% have extremely blue continua (β < −2.6). Emission-line diagnostics suggest stellar populations as the primary ionizing source, although an AGN fraction of 14% cannot be entirely ruled out. These galaxies are efficient ionizing photon producers, with median log(ξion [Hz erg−1]) = 25.37, exceeding typical values at similar redshifts. Escape fractions, however, are heterogeneous: 16% of EELGs at z < 7 show escape fractions > 5% for both Lyα and LyC photons, while 82% lack detectable Lyα emission. The median inferred LyC escape fraction is modest (5%) but enhanced in compact super-Eddington systems with sSFR > 25 Gyr−1. These results indicate that EELGs contribute approximately 16 − 40% of the total ionizing emissivity required to sustain hydrogen reionization. EELGs are extremely compact, with a median effective radius of 0.49 kpc, and exhibit a recent star formation burst. Our analysis indicates that sSFR and star formation rate surface density are the primary drivers of their extreme emission line strengths.}, author = {Llerena, M. and Pentericci, L. and Amorín, R. and Ferrara, A. and Dickinson, M. and Arevalo-Gonzalez, F. and Calabrò, A. and Napolitano, L. and Mascia, Sara and Arrabal Haro, P. and Begley, R. and Cleri, N. J. and Davis, K. and Hu, W. and Kartaltepe, J. S. and Koekemoer, A. M. and Lucas, R. A. and Mcgrath, E. and Mcleod, D. J. and Papovich, C. and Stanton, T. M. and Taylor, A. J. and Tripodi, R. and Wang, X. and Yung, L. Y.A.}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{Extreme equivalent-width-selected low-mass starbursts at z = 4 − 9: Insights into their role in cosmic reionization}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202557897}, volume = {708}, year = {2026}, } @article{23050, abstract = {The resonant scattering nature of Lyα photons interacting with neutral hydrogen makes Lyα emitters (LAEs) robust tracers of the intergalactic neutral hydrogen fraction, and thus sensitive probes of cosmic reionization. We present an extensive study of the Lyα evolution from galaxies at 4.5 ≤ z ≤ 11 in the UDS field, observed as part of the CAPERS survey, and complemented with spectra from the DAWN JWST Archive. The combined sample includes 651 spectroscopically confirmed Lyα-break galaxies, among which we find 73 S/N > 3 LAEs in JWST-NIRSpec PRISM spectra. We trace the redshift evolution of the LAE fraction with EW0 > 25 Å (XLyα) between z = 5 and z = 9, extending such an analysis to the UDS field for the first time. At z = 5 and 6, the UDS results agree with the average JWST XLyα values from multiple fields. However, JWST measurements are consistently lower than ground-based results. To investigate this, we compare JWST observations to a population of star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 6 observed with VLT-FORS2. We find that a Lyα slit-loss of 35 ± 10% in JWST spectra accounts for the offset, as the resonant Lyα emission is more spatially extended than the stellar continuum. From z = 6 to 7, the UDS field shows a significant drop in Lyα visibility, from which we infer a neutral hydrogen fraction of XHI = 0.7–0.9. Finally, we identify two robust ionized bubbles at z = 7.29 and 7.77, with radii of Rion = 0.6 and 0.5 physical Mpc and photometric overdensities of N/⟨N⟩ = 3 and 4, based on candidate counts down to the photometric completeness limit. Compared to the large ionized region at z ∼ 7 in the EGS field, these results indicate significant field-to-field variation, supporting a patchy, inhomogeneous reionization process.}, author = {Napolitano, L. and Pentericci, L. and Dickinson, M. and Arrabal Haro, P. and Taylor, A. J. and Calabrò, A. and Bhagwat, A. and Santini, P. and Arevalo-Gonzalez, F. and Begley, R. and Castellano, M. and Ciardi, B. and Donnan, C. T. and Dottorini, D. and Dunlop, J. S. and Finkelstein, S. L. and Fontana, A. and Giavalisco, M. and Hirschmann, M. and Jung, I. and Koekemoer, A. M. and Kokorev, V. and Llerena, M. and Lucas, R. A. and Mascia, Sara and Merlin, E. and Pérez-González, P. G. and Stanton, T. M. and Tripodi, R. and Wang, X. and Weiner, B. J.}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{Lyα visibility from z = 4.5 to 11 in the UDS field: Evidence for a high neutral hydrogen fraction and small ionized bubbles at z ∼ 7}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202556912}, volume = {708}, year = {2026}, } @article{23048, abstract = {The previously inaccessible star formation tracer Paschen-Alpha (Paα) can now be spatially resolved by JWST NIRCam slitless spectroscopy in distant galaxies up to cosmic noon. In the first study of its kind, we combine JWST NGDEEP NIRISS and FRESCO NIRCam slitless spectroscopy to provide the first direct comparison of spatially resolved dust-obscured (traced by Paα) versus unobscured (traced by Hα) star formation across the main sequence. We stacked Paα and Hα emission-line maps, along with stellar continuum images at both wavelengths of 31 galaxies at 1 < z < 1.8 in three bins of stellar mass spanning 7.7 ≤ log(M*/M⊙) < 11. Surface brightness profiles were measured and equivalent width (EW) profiles computed. Increasing Paα and Hα EW profiles with galactocentric radius across all stellar masses probed provides direct evidence for the inside-out growth of galaxies both via dust-obscured and unobscured star formation for the first time. For galaxies predominantly on the main sequence (log(M*/M⊙)≥8.8), a weakly positive (0.1 ± 0.1) Paα/Hα line profile gradient as a function of radius is found at 8.8 ≤ log(M*/M⊙) < 9.9, with a negative (−0.4 ± 0.1) Paα/Hα line profile gradient as a function of radius found at the highest stellar masses of 9.9 ≤ log(M*/M⊙) < 11.0. Low-mass galaxies (7.7 ≤ log(M*/M⊙) < 8.8) with predominantly high specific star formation rates relative to the main sequence are also found to have a negative (−0.5 ± 0.1) Paα/Hα line profile gradient as a function of radius. Our results demonstrate that while inside-out growth via star formation is ubiquitous across the main sequence just after cosmic noon, centrally concentrated dust attenuation is not. Along with other recent work in the literature, our findings now motivate future studies of resolved SFR and dust attenuation profiles in large samples of individual cosmic noon galaxies across the main sequence, aimed at understanding the intrinsic scatter in spatially resolved star formation.}, author = {Matharu, Jasleen and Shen, Lu and Shivaei, Irene and Oesch, Pascal A. and Papovich, Casey and Brammer, Gabriel and Reddy, Naveen A. and Cheng, Yingjie and Van Dokkum, Pieter and Finkelstein, Steven L. and Hathi, Nimish P. and Kartaltepe, Jeyhan S. and Koekemoer, Anton M. and Matthee, Jorryt J and Pirzkal, Nor and Wilkins, Stephen M. and Wozniak, Michael A. and Xiao, Mengyuan}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{A first look at a complete view of spatially resolved star formation at 1  <  z  <  1.8 with JWST NGDEEP+FRESCO slitless spectroscopy}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202558205}, volume = {708}, year = {2026}, } @article{23045, abstract = {Context. In the convective envelopes of relatively cool (surface temperature ≲6700 K) stars, oscillations are excited by turbulent convection. In these so-called solar-like oscillators, radial oscillation modes appear at nearly equally spaced frequencies. This spacing is referred to as the ‘large-frequency separation’. Deviations from equally spaced frequencies are a result of the internal structure of a star being different from a sphere of ideal gas at constant temperature. Hence, these deviations provide information on the internal structure of the star. Aims. In this work, we investigate the second-order (quadratic) deviation from uniform spacing, referred to as curvature. We aim to provide homogeneous values for observed red-giant stars, understand differences between the results from observations and predictions from stellar models, and reveal the connection between curvature and stellar structure. Methods. We used Kepler data of red-giant stars and computed the curvature for several thousand stars. We compared these to the curvature derived from MESA models. We subsequently investigated the trends and differences between results from observations and models. Finally, we computed sensitivity kernels to identify the stellar region(s) to which the curvature is most sensitive and performed a glitch analysis. Results. We found that the curvature is sensitive to evolutionary phase and mass. Interestingly, the observed values and values from models show some discrepancies. Including the surface effect in the model frequencies reduces the discrepancies, though it introduces a frequency-dependent over- or under-estimation of the curvature from the models compared to the observations. From the kernels, we confirmed that the curvature is mostly sensitive to the near-surface layers of the star. The glitch analysis shows that in theory this provides information on the location and strength of the He I and H I ionisation layers. Conclusions. The curvature provides a probe into the near-surface structure of the star. The deviations between the curvature derived from observations and models call for improvements in the near-surface layers of stellar models.}, author = {Hekker, S. and Elsworth, Y. and Basu, S. and Ahlborn, F. and Ball, W. H. and Bellinger, E. P. and Buchele, Lynn and Espinoza-Rojas, F.}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{The sensitivity and behaviour of the curvature in the échelle diagram of red-giant stars}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202557690}, volume = {709}, year = {2026}, } @article{23047, abstract = {Aims. We investigate signatures of pressure extrema on global oscillations in discs. Methods. We used the framework of wave topology to establish a generalised local dispersion relation that includes pressure gradients. We highlight the influence of a previously unrecognised epicyclic–acoustic frequency, and we derive an analytical criterion for the existence of a branch of modes transiting between the inertial and the pressure bands, known as topological modes. Results. We find that pressure extrema consist of wave guides in which such topological modes propagate. The fundamental mode trapped at a pressure bump can propagate at any frequency, allowing it to resonate with any temporal forcing. Conversely, the fundamental mode associated with a pressure dip propagates at any vertical phase velocity. These specific features make them attractive candidates for future discoseismology.}, author = {Leclerc, Armand and Laibe, Guillaume and Lynch, Elliot and Perez, Nicolas}, issn = {1432-0746}, journal = {Astronomy & Astrophysics}, keywords = {accretion, accretion disks, hydrodynamics, instabilities, waves, protoplanetary disks}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, title = {{Radial modes of pressure bumps and dips in astrophysical discs}}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/202558428}, volume = {708}, year = {2026}, } @phdthesis{22744, author = {Javoor, Manjunath}, isbn = {978-3-99078-090-9 }, issn = {2663-337X}, keywords = {Actin cytoskeleton, Cell migration, cryo-electron tomography}, pages = {121}, publisher = {Institute of Science and Technology Austria }, title = {{Large-scale imaging of cellular actin networks at single filament resolution using montage cryo-electron tomography}}, doi = {10.15479/AT-ISTA-22744}, year = {2026}, } @article{21754, abstract = {The origin(s) of life (OoL), which has puzzled scientists for centuries, remains a major scientific challenge in the 21st century. Research on OoL spans many disciplines, including chemistry, physics, biology, planetary sciences, computer science, and mathematics. The sheer number of different scientific perspectives relevant to the problem has resulted in the coexistence of diverse tools, techniques, data, and software in OoL studies. This has made communication between the disciplines relevant to the OoL extremely difficult because the interpretation of data, analyses, or standards of evidence varies dramatically. Here, we hope to bridge this wide field of study by providing common ground via the consolidation of techniques rather than positing a unifying view on how life emerges. In part 1 of this review, we cover common experimental techniques that have been used significantly in OoL studies in recent years, while in part 2, we review theoretical, computational, and integrative methods. Here, we discuss the use of spectroscopy, spectrometry, chromatography, microscopy, and sequencing methods for characterizing diverse materials. We further discuss the role of data repositories in facilitating the analysis and dissemination of experimental data. This review provides a baseline expectation and understanding of the analytical aspects of origins’ research. Ultimately, we aim to provide an educational tool that can facilitate more post-disciplinary collaborations in OoL research by helping scientists understand what they can do about the problem of life’s origins, rather than telling them how to think about it.}, author = {Asche, Silke and Bautista, Carla and Blanco, Celia and Boulesteix, David and Champagne-Ruel, Alexandre and Mathis, Cole and Markovitch, Omer and Peng, Zhen and Dass, Avinash Vicholous and Adams, Alyssa and Camprubi, Eloi and Colizzi, Enrico Sandro and Colón-Santos, Stephanie and Dromiack, Hannah and Erastova, Valentina and Garcia, Amanda and Grimaud, Ghjuvan and Halpern, Aaron and Harrison, Stuart A. and Jordan, Seán F. and Jia, Tony Z. and Kahana, Amit and Kolchinsky, Artemy and Moron-Garcia, Odin and Mizuuchi, Ryo and Nan, Jingbo and Orlova, Yuliia and Pearce, Ben K.D. and Paschek, Klaus and Preiner, Martina and Pinna, Silvana and Rodríguez-Román, Eduardo and Schwander, Loraine and Sharma, Siddhant and Smith, Harrison B. and Vieira, Andrey and Xavier, Joana C.}, issn = {2666-3864}, journal = {Cell Reports Physical Science}, number = {4}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{What it takes to solve the origin of life: An integrated review. Part 1–Experimental methods and data repositories}}, doi = {10.1016/j.xcrp.2026.103212}, volume = {7}, year = {2026}, } @article{21753, abstract = {The origin(s) of life (OoL), which has puzzled scientists for centuries, remains a major scientific challenge in the 21st century. Understanding the processes relevant to the OoL demands theoretical frameworks that can connect processes across scales, from microscopic dynamics to emergent levels of organization. While experimental studies generate a wealth of data, theoretical and computational approaches provide the structure necessary to interpret and generalize these findings. In Part 1, we examined the most widely used experimental techniques in the field. Here, we focus on the mathematical, physical, and computational techniques used to model phenomena relevant to life’s origin(s). We discuss methods ranging from quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics to chemical reaction networks, autocatalysis, and evolutionary modeling, as well as information-theoretic and phylogenetic approaches that link chemical and biological organization. We further highlight emerging trends such as synthetic biology, omics-based methods, and laboratory automation as novel points of contact for theory-experiment integration. Ultimately, we aim to provide an educational tool that can facilitate more post-disciplinary collaborations in OoL research by helping scientists understand what they can do about the problem of life’s origins, rather than telling them how to think about it.}, author = {Asche, Silke and Bautista, Carla and Blanco, Celia and Boulesteix, David and Champagne-Ruel, Alexandre and Mathis, Cole and Markovitch, Omer and Peng, Zhen and Dass, Avinash Vicholous and Adams, Alyssa and Camprubi, Eloi and Colizzi, Enrico Sandro and Colón-Santos, Stephanie and Dromiack, Hannah and Erastova, Valentina and Garcia, Amanda and Grimaud, Ghjuvan and Halpern, Aaron and Harrison, Stuart A. and Jordan, Seán F. and Jia, Tony Z. and Kahana, Amit and Kolchinsky, Artemy and Moron-Garcia, Odin and Mizuuchi, Ryo and Nan, Jingbo and Orlova, Yuliia and Pearce, Ben K.D. and Paschek, Klaus and Preiner, Martina and Pinna, Silvana and Rodríguez-Román, Eduardo and Schwander, Loraine and Sharma, Siddhant and Smith, Harrison B. and Vieira, Andrey and Xavier, Joana C.}, issn = {2666-3864}, journal = {Cell Reports Physical Science}, number = {4}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{What it takes to solve the origins of life: An integrated review. Part 2: Theoretical methods and emerging trends}}, doi = {10.1016/j.xcrp.2026.103211}, volume = {7}, year = {2026}, } @article{21744, abstract = {The paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) controls behavioral and physiologic processes, including appetite, social behavior, autonomic outflow, and pituitary hormone secretion. However, molecular markers for centrally projecting PVH neuron populations remain largely undefined, and a complete census of PVH cell types has not been established. Therefore, we performed extensive single-cell/nucleus RNA sequencing to catalog PVH neuron subtypes and multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH) to map them spatially. Our spatial transcriptomic atlas resolves 26 Sim1+ and 29 GABAergic neuron populations from the PVH and surrounding areas. Additionally, projection-based profiling identified neurons that project to the parabrachial region (PB) and spinal cord, helping to determine PVH populations that regulate satiety and sympathetic nervous system activity, respectively. Notably, activation of PB-projecting PVH neurons expressing Brs3 reduces food intake, and silencing them causes obesity. Together, this atlas contributes high-resolution PVH spatial and circuit-based gene expression profiles, representing a valuable resource for the field of homeostasis.}, author = {Li, Yuxi and Butler, Trevor C. and Nardone, Stefano and Jacobs, Christopher L. and Douglass, Amelia May Barnett and Madara, Joseph C. and McDonough, Miriam C. and Tao, Jenkang and Lowenstein, Elijah D. and Wang, Luhong and Pant, Deepti and Walker, Samuel J. and Wang, Annette and Srinivasan, Harini and Yang, Zongfang and Campbell, John N. and Tsai, Linus T. and Lowell, Bradford B. and Resch, Jon M.}, issn = {2211-1247}, journal = {Cell Reports}, number = {2}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{A spatial and projection-based transcriptomic atlas of paraventricular hypothalamic cell types}}, doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116904}, volume = {45}, year = {2026}, } @article{21490, abstract = {Auxin canalization is a self-organizing process that governs the flexible formation of vasculature by reinforcing the formation of auxin transport channels. A key prerequisite is the feedback between auxin signaling and directional auxin transport, mediated by PIN transporters. Despite the developmental importance of canalization, the molecular components linking auxin perception to the regulation of PIN auxin transporters remain poorly understood. Here, we identify TOW, a novel and essential component of auxin canalization that links intracellular auxin signaling with cell surface auxin perception. TOW is regulated downstream of TIR1/AFB-Aux/IAA-WRKY23 transcriptional auxin signaling. tow mutants exhibit defects in regeneration and de novo vasculature formation, along with impaired formation of polarized, PIN-expressing auxin channels. At the subcellular level, these mutants display disrupted auxin-induced PIN polarization and altered PIN endocytic trafficking dynamics. TOW localizes predominantly to the plasma membrane, where it interacts with receptor-like kinases involved in auxin canalization, including the TMK1 auxin co-receptor and the CAMEL-CANAR complex. TOW promotes PIN interaction with these kinases and stabilizes PINs at the cell surface. Together, our findings identify TOW as a molecular link between intracellular and cell surface auxin signaling mechanisms that converge on PIN trafficking and polarity, providing new insights into how auxin signaling regulates directional auxin transport for the self-organizing formation of vasculature during flexible plant development.}, author = {Li, Mingyue and Rydza, Nikola and Mazur, Ewa and Molnar, Gergely and Nodzyński, Tomasz and Friml, Jiří}, issn = {0960-9822}, journal = {Current Biology}, number = {6}, pages = {1468--1480.e6}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Receptor-like-kinase-interacting protein TOW stabilizes PIN transporters for auxin canalization}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2026.02.023}, volume = {36}, year = {2026}, } @article{21509, abstract = {Chromatin remodeling complexes mobilize nucleosomes and promote transcription factor (TF) binding. Using ensemble and single-molecule assays combined with cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we studied the interaction between pioneer TFs OCT4–SOX2 and the human BRG1/BRM-associated factor (BAF) complex on nucleosomes. BAF engages TF-bound substrates in two orientations, placing OCT4–SOX2 at either the remodeler ENTRY or EXIT site. At the ENTRY site, OCT4–SOX2 initially coexists with BAF without structural interference. However, continued DNA translocation is expected to cause collisions with bound TFs, which can trigger remodeling direction reversals or may induce TF dissociation. To accommodate TFs at the EXIT site, BAF undergoes structural rearrangements, and ensemble assays reveal a nucleosome subpopulation translocating away from TF-binding sites. Moreover, single-molecule experiments show that nucleosome-bound BAF frequently changes remodeling direction, and we identify an ADP-bound remodeler conformation as a potential intermediate. Together, these findings reveal key aspects of the conformational dynamics and remodeling outcomes underlying BAF processing of TF-bound nucleosomes.}, author = {Weiss, Joscha and Vecchia, Luca and Domjan, David and Cavadini, Simone and Sabantsev, Anton and Kempf, Georg and Pathare, Ganesh R. and Brackmann, Klaus and Michael, Alicia and Kater, Lukas and Hietter-Pfeiffer, Eric and Haddawi, Mina and Kuber, Urja P. and Mühlhäusser, Sandra and Grand, Ralph S. and Stadler, Michael B. and Deindl, Sebastian and Thomä, Nicolas H.}, issn = {1097-2765}, journal = {Molecular Cell}, number = {4}, pages = {625--639.e8}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{The human BAF chromatin remodeler processes nucleosomes bound by pioneer transcription factors OCT4–SOX2}}, doi = {10.1016/j.molcel.2026.01.021}, volume = {86}, year = {2026}, } @article{21761, abstract = {Neural tube closure is a critical morphogenetic process in vertebrate development, and failure to close cranial regions such as the hindbrain neuropore (HNP) leads to severe congenital malformations. While mechanical forces such as actomyosin purse-string contraction and directional cell crawling have been implicated in driving HNP closure, how these forces organize local cell shape and motion to produce large-scale tissue remodeling remains poorly understood. Using live and fixed imaging of mouse embryos combined with cell-based biophysical modeling, we show that these force-generating mechanisms are insufficient to explain the reproducible patterns of cell elongation and nematic alignment observed at the HNP border. Instead, we show that local anisotropic stress and cytoskeletal organization are required to generate these patterns and promote midline cell motion. Our model captures key features of cell shape dynamics and emergent nematic order, which we confirm experimentally, including the alignment of actin fibers with cell shape and enhanced midline cell speed. Comparative analysis with chick embryos, which lack supracellular purse strings, supports a conserved link between tension generation and cellular patterning. These findings establish a physical framework connecting force generation, cell shape anisotropy, and tissue morphodynamics during epithelial gap closure.}, author = {Perez Verdugo, Fernanda L and Maniou, Eirini and Galea, Gabriel L. and Banerjee, Shiladitya}, issn = {1879-0445}, journal = {Current Biology}, number = {8}, pages = {1903--1917.e5}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{Mechanosensitive feedback organizes cell shape and motion during hindbrain neuropore morphogenesis}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2026.02.068}, volume = {36}, year = {2026}, } @article{21955, abstract = {AgRP neurons cause hunger, the drive to seek and consume food. Their activation by fasting is key for survival and is thought to be triggered by feedback when energy stores are low. However, we know that environmental cues can also regulate AgRP neurons since cues that predict future food intake rapidly inhibit AgRP neurons, but is the converse true: can the prediction of future fasting rapidly activate AgRP neurons? Here, we show in mice that such rapid fasting activation of AgRP neurons does occur. This rapid activation is driven by excitatory input from paraventricular hypothalamic (PVH) neurons expressing Sim2, which are bidirectionally sensitive to predictions of future energy state. Thus, cognitively processed contextual information conveyed by PVHSim2 neurons strongly activates AgRP neurons. Lastly, chronic silencing of PVHSim2 neurons causes persistent hypophagia. This PVHSim2-to-AgRP-neuron circuit, by anticipating and preventing negative energy balance, provides an important new dimension of hunger regulation.}, author = {Walker, Samuel J. and Lowenstein, Elijah D. and Douglass, Amelia May Barnett and Thomas, Callum M.P. and Madara, Joseph C. and Kucukdereli, Hakan and Barbosa-Meillon, Eunice A. and Tao, Jenkang and Resch, Jon M. and Lowell, Bradford B.}, issn = { 1097-4199}, journal = {Neuron}, keywords = {hunger, hypothalamus, AGRP neurons, neuroscience, metabolism, homeostasis, feeding, food intake, energy balance, appetite}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{A hypothalamic circuit for anticipating future changes in energy balance}}, doi = {10.1016/j.neuron.2026.05.010}, year = {2026}, } @article{22144, abstract = {Most cells polarize and migrate in response to electrical fields. In this issue of Cell, Belliveau et al. identify TMEM154/Galvanin, a receptor that serves as a cellular antenna to sense electrical gradients and guide migration toward the cathode.}, author = {Riedl, Michael and Sixt, Michael K}, issn = {1097-4172}, journal = {Cell}, number = {13}, pages = {3845--3846}, publisher = {Cell Press}, title = {{A new sense for electrical fields}}, doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2026.05.038}, volume = {189}, year = {2026}, }