Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology

dlvr.itWhy cells use many lipids when few will doNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 21 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01041-4A synthetic minimal cell can survive with just two lipids, revealing that extensive lipid diversity is not essential for life. This Comment discusses our current understanding of why cells contain so many lipids and highlights future research avenues.

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ICYMI: New Online! Why cells use many lipids when few will do

dlvr.itMolecular functions, cellular responses and pathological implications of the RNA modification N6-methyladenosineNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 22 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01039-yThis Review discusses how the RNA modification N6-methyladenosine (m6A) precisely regulates eukaryotic gene expression and orchestrates cellular stress responses, metabolic homeostasis and immunity. It also explores the pathological consequences of m6A dysregulation in brain disorders and cancer.

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New Online! Molecular functions, cellular responses and pathological implications of the RNA modification N6-methyladenosine

dlvr.itWhy cells use many lipids when few will doNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 21 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01041-4A synthetic minimal cell can survive with just two lipids, revealing that extensive lipid diversity is not essential for life. This Comment discusses our current understanding of why cells contain so many lipids and highlights future research avenues.

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New Online! Why cells use many lipids when few will do

dlvr.itRevealing the invisible transcriptomeNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01040-5The discovery of widespread expression of unstable promoter-associated transcripts has changed our understanding of genomic transcription activity.

ICYMI: New Online! Revealing the invisible transcriptome

dlvr.itAtomic, structural and molecular insights into GPCR ligand binding and signallingNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 13 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01030-7This Review explores the atomic, structural and molecular basis of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated signalling, highlighting recent insights into conformational changes associated with ligand recognition and interaction with downstream adaptors, and underscoring their importance for the development of therapeutics.

ICYMI: New Online! Atomic, structural and molecular insights into GPCR ligand binding and signalling

dlvr.itUbiquitin phosphorylation opens a hatch to a code still largely undecipheredNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 13 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01043-2The discovery of ubiquitin phosphorylation as a mitophagy activator pointed to ubiquitin being at the heart of a broad signalling code.

ICYMI: New Online! Ubiquitin phosphorylation opens a hatch to a code still largely undeciphered

dlvr.itScaling up measurements of the interactions that build condensatesNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 13 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01044-1Condensate partitioning by mRNA-display (CPmD) enables high-throughput assessment of protein (domain) propensity for condensate formation.

ICYMI: New Online! Scaling up measurements of the interactions that build condensates

dlvr.itRevealing the invisible transcriptomeNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01040-5The discovery of widespread expression of unstable promoter-associated transcripts has changed our understanding of genomic transcription activity.

New Online! Revealing the invisible transcriptome

dlvr.itAtomic, structural and molecular insights into GPCR ligand binding and signallingNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 13 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01030-7This Review explores the atomic, structural and molecular basis of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated signalling, highlighting recent insights into conformational changes associated with ligand recognition and interaction with downstream adaptors, and underscoring their importance for the development of therapeutics.

New Online! Atomic, structural and molecular insights into GPCR ligand binding and signalling

dlvr.itUbiquitin phosphorylation opens a hatch to a code still largely undecipheredNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 13 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01043-2The discovery of ubiquitin phosphorylation as a mitophagy activator pointed to ubiquitin being at the heart of a broad signalling code.

New Online! Ubiquitin phosphorylation opens a hatch to a code still largely undeciphered

dlvr.itScaling up measurements of the interactions that build condensatesNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 13 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01044-1Condensate partitioning by mRNA-display (CPmD) enables high-throughput assessment of protein (domain) propensity for condensate formation.

New Online! Scaling up measurements of the interactions that build condensates

dlvr.itTowards a systematic understanding of the diverse subtypes, biogenesis and functions of large extracellular vesiclesNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 05 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01021-8Large extracellular vesicle (lEV) subtypes have diverse biogenesis, cargo, functions and roles in disease. This Review article provides an overview of lEV characteristics, highlights open questions in the field and indicates how a systematic approach towards lEV characterization assisted by emerging technologies will ensure reproducibility, advancing lEV research.

ICYMI: New Online! Towards a systematic understanding of the diverse subtypes, biogenesis and functions of large extracellular vesicles

dlvr.itEngineering synthetic proteins to toggle function in response to kinase signalsNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 05 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01036-1In this Tools of the Trade article, Cao (Toettcher Lab) discusses the development of kinase-responsive phospho-switches that enable researchers to couple endogenous kinase signalling to activation of a synthetic protein actuator.

ICYMI: New Online! Engineering synthetic proteins to toggle function in response to kinase signals

dlvr.itChaperone-mediated autophagy in physiological homeostasis, disease and ageingNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 05 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01023-6Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) is a selective lysosomal degradation pathway. Recent insights into its regulation, substrate repertoire and therapeutic modulation have revealed organ-specific functions and highlighted CMA as a therapeutic target in ageing and disease.

ICYMI: New Online! Chaperone-mediated autophagy in physiological homeostasis, disease and ageing

dlvr.itNeutrality as the null hypothesis of biological evolutionNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 02 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01032-5A seminal paper that showed that genome complexity in multicellular eukaryotes is shaped more by genetic drift than by natural selection.

ICYMI: New Online! Neutrality as the null hypothesis of biological evolution

dlvr.itTowards a systematic understanding of the diverse subtypes, biogenesis and functions of large extracellular vesiclesNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 05 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01021-8Large extracellular vesicle (lEV) subtypes have diverse biogenesis, cargo, functions and roles in disease. This Review article provides an overview of lEV characteristics, highlights open questions in the field and indicates how a systematic approach towards lEV characterization assisted by emerging technologies will ensure reproducibility, advancing lEV research.

New Online! Towards a systematic understanding of the diverse subtypes, biogenesis and functions of large extracellular vesicles

dlvr.itEngineering synthetic proteins to toggle function in response to kinase signalsNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 05 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01036-1In this Tools of the Trade article, Cao (Toettcher Lab) discusses the development of kinase-responsive phospho-switches that enable researchers to couple endogenous kinase signalling to activation of a synthetic protein actuator.

New Online! Engineering synthetic proteins to toggle function in response to kinase signals

dlvr.itChaperone-mediated autophagy in physiological homeostasis, disease and ageingNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 05 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01023-6Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) is a selective lysosomal degradation pathway. Recent insights into its regulation, substrate repertoire and therapeutic modulation have revealed organ-specific functions and highlighted CMA as a therapeutic target in ageing and disease.

New Online! Chaperone-mediated autophagy in physiological homeostasis, disease and ageing

dlvr.itHoT self-blinking probes for chromatin imagingNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 01 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01033-4In this Tools of the Trade article, Wang (Cosma Lab) and Zhang (Hongyan Sun Lab) describe the development of self-blinking HoT probes that are compatible with super-resolution microscopy and can be used to resolve nuclear architecture and chromatin.

ICYMI: New Online! HoT self-blinking probes for chromatin imaging

dlvr.itTechnological prominence alone does not justify leadership in SynCell governanceNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 30 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01034-3Technological prominence alone does not justify leadership in SynCell governance

ICYMI: New Online! Technological prominence alone does not justify leadership in SynCell governance

dlvr.itNeutrality as the null hypothesis of biological evolutionNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 02 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01032-5A seminal paper that showed that genome complexity in multicellular eukaryotes is shaped more by genetic drift than by natural selection.

New Online! Neutrality as the null hypothesis of biological evolution

dlvr.itHoT self-blinking probes for chromatin imagingNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 01 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01033-4In this Tools of the Trade article, Wang (Cosma Lab) and Zhang (Hongyan Sun Lab) describe the development of self-blinking HoT probes that are compatible with super-resolution microscopy and can be used to resolve nuclear architecture and chromatin.

New Online! HoT self-blinking probes for chromatin imaging

dlvr.itp53 keeps a transcription–replication balance that prevents chromothripsisNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01031-6p53 loss induces global increase of transcription that causes nucleotide shortage and replication stress, thereby driving formation of DNA double-strand breaks and chromothripsis.

ICYMI: New Online! p53 keeps a transcription–replication balance that prevents chromothripsis

dlvr.itTechnological prominence alone does not justify leadership in SynCell governanceNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 30 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01034-3Technological prominence alone does not justify leadership in SynCell governance

New Online! Technological prominence alone does not justify leadership in SynCell governance

dlvr.itp53 keeps a transcription–replication balance that prevents chromothripsisNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 28 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01031-6p53 loss induces global increase of transcription that causes nucleotide shortage and replication stress, thereby driving formation of DNA double-strand breaks and chromothripsis.

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New Online! p53 keeps a transcription–replication balance that prevents chromothripsis

dlvr.itMechanisms and disease relevance of DNA break repair pathway choiceNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 18 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01026-3This Review focuses on the choice between homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining in DNA double-strand break repair. The antagonistic roles of 53BP1 and BRCA1–BARD1, the contribution of RNA–DNA hybrids and implications for targeting repair imbalance in cancer are discussed.

21 Sept

ICYMI: New Online! Mechanisms and disease relevance of DNA break repair pathway choice

dlvr.itMechanisms and disease relevance of DNA break repair pathway choiceNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 18 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01026-3This Review focuses on the choice between homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining in DNA double-strand break repair. The antagonistic roles of 53BP1 and BRCA1–BARD1, the contribution of RNA–DNA hybrids and implications for targeting repair imbalance in cancer are discussed.

18 Sept

New Online! Mechanisms and disease relevance of DNA break repair pathway choice

dlvr.itA practical guide to studying genome function using single-molecule genomicsNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 14 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01017-4Single-molecule genomics methods are used to study the activity of regulatory factors on individual DNA molecules genome-wide, thereby enabling quantification of molecular heterogeneity and co-occurrence of regulatory events. This Expert Recommendation article provides a practical guide for adopting single-molecule genomics and outlines best practices.

17 Sept

ICYMI: New Online! A practical guide to studying genome function using single-molecule genomics

dlvr.itA practical guide to studying genome function using single-molecule genomicsNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 14 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01017-4Single-molecule genomics methods are used to study the activity of regulatory factors on individual DNA molecules genome-wide, thereby enabling quantification of molecular heterogeneity and co-occurrence of regulatory events. This Expert Recommendation article provides a practical guide for adopting single-molecule genomics and outlines best practices.

14 Sept

New Online! A practical guide to studying genome function using single-molecule genomics

dlvr.itPRC2–RNA interactions through the lens of bioinformatics pipeline choicesNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 11 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01028-1Four recent studies that have differently assessed PRC2–RNA interactions reveal key technical pitfalls underlying research in the field.

14 Sept

ICYMI: New Online! PRC2–RNA interactions through the lens of bioinformatics pipeline choices

dlvr.itPRC2–RNA interactions through the lens of bioinformatics pipeline choicesNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 11 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01028-1Four recent studies that have differently assessed PRC2–RNA interactions reveal key technical pitfalls underlying research in the field.

11 Sept

New Online! PRC2–RNA interactions through the lens of bioinformatics pipeline choices

dlvr.itTowards 3D-oid models that integrate molecular, morphological and spatial cellular featuresNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 04 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01025-4Combined analyses of cellular omics, morphology and spatial context in 3D-oids would advance tissue studies and organ engineering.

7 Sept

ICYMI: New Online! Towards 3D-oid models that integrate molecular, morphological and spatial cellular features

dlvr.itCDK1 links RNA methylation to mitosis progressionNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 03 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01027-2During mitosis, the m6A methyltransferase METTL3 regulates transcription through functional interplay with the positive transcription elongation factor P-TEFb.

6 Sept

ICYMI: New Online! CDK1 links RNA methylation to mitosis progression

dlvr.itTowards 3D-oid models that integrate molecular, morphological and spatial cellular featuresNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 04 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01025-4Combined analyses of cellular omics, morphology and spatial context in 3D-oids would advance tissue studies and organ engineering.

4 Sept

New Online! Towards 3D-oid models that integrate molecular, morphological and spatial cellular features

dlvr.itThe molecular basis of transcription initiation by RNA polymerase IINature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 04 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01019-2Recent technological breakthroughs have transformed our understanding of how transcription initiation in eukaryotes is regulated. This Review discusses the dynamics and roles of initiation-relevant protein complexes, and how chromatin states regulate the selection of transcription start sites and transcription directionality.

4 Sept

New Online! The molecular basis of transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II

dlvr.itCDK1 links RNA methylation to mitosis progressionNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 03 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01027-2During mitosis, the m6A methyltransferase METTL3 regulates transcription through functional interplay with the positive transcription elongation factor P-TEFb.

3 Sept

New Online! CDK1 links RNA methylation to mitosis progression

dlvr.itCharting meiotic recombination through the discovery of PRDM9Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 28 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01020-9A 2010 paper identified PRDM9 as the sequence-specific regulator of meiotic recombination hotspots, showing it co-evolves with its rapidly changing binding motifs.

31 Aug

ICYMI: New Online! Charting meiotic recombination through the discovery of PRDM9

dlvr.itTowards a systems-level view of the microtubule cytoskeleton and its functions in physiology and diseaseNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01011-wMicrotubules are essential components of the cytoskeleton, yet important links between their molecular properties and organismal functions remain unresolved. In this Roadmap, Janke et al. discuss key challenges, emerging opportunities and integrative approaches to connect microtubule regulation with physiology, ageing and disease.

30 Aug

ICYMI: New Online! Towards a systems-level view of the microtubule cytoskeleton and its functions in physiology and disease

dlvr.itMechanisms and balanced regulation of plant immunityNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01009-4This Review discusses recent insights into the mechanisms of immune signalling in plants and their regulation to achieve effective defence against pathogens while preserving plant fitness. It also explores the interplay between the immune system and environmental stresses, and strategies for engineering optimal disease-resistant plants.

30 Aug

ICYMI: New Online! Mechanisms and balanced regulation of plant immunity

dlvr.itNot just for splicing — intronless mRNAs reveal role of nuclear speckles in nuclear exportNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 26 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01024-5The discovery that nuclear speckles support the nuclear export of intronless mRNAs expanded our understanding of their roles in gene regulation.

29 Aug

ICYMI: New Online! Not just for splicing — intronless mRNAs reveal role of nuclear speckles in nuclear export

dlvr.itCharting meiotic recombination through the discovery of PRDM9Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 28 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01020-9A 2010 paper identified PRDM9 as the sequence-specific regulator of meiotic recombination hotspots, showing it co-evolves with its rapidly changing binding motifs.

28 Aug

New Online! Charting meiotic recombination through the discovery of PRDM9

dlvr.itTowards a systems-level view of the microtubule cytoskeleton and its functions in physiology and diseaseNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01011-wMicrotubules are essential components of the cytoskeleton, yet important links between their molecular properties and organismal functions remain unresolved. In this Roadmap, Janke et al. discuss key challenges, emerging opportunities and integrative approaches to connect microtubule regulation with physiology, ageing and disease.

27 Aug

New Online! Towards a systems-level view of the microtubule cytoskeleton and its functions in physiology and disease

dlvr.itThe use of homology-directed repair in a complex landscape of genome editorsNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 24 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01018-3This Comment discusses the uses of Cas-induced homology-directed repair in the evolving landscape of highly specialized genome editing tools.

27 Aug

ICYMI: New Online! The use of homology-directed repair in a complex landscape of genome editors

dlvr.itMechanisms and balanced regulation of plant immunityNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 27 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01009-4This Review discusses recent insights into the mechanisms of immune signalling in plants and their regulation to achieve effective defence against pathogens while preserving plant fitness. It also explores the interplay between the immune system and environmental stresses, and strategies for engineering optimal disease-resistant plants.

27 Aug

New Online! Mechanisms and balanced regulation of plant immunity

dlvr.itNot just for splicing — intronless mRNAs reveal role of nuclear speckles in nuclear exportNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 26 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01024-5The discovery that nuclear speckles support the nuclear export of intronless mRNAs expanded our understanding of their roles in gene regulation.

26 Aug

New Online! Not just for splicing — intronless mRNAs reveal role of nuclear speckles in nuclear export

dlvr.itThe use of homology-directed repair in a complex landscape of genome editorsNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 24 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01018-3This Comment discusses the uses of Cas-induced homology-directed repair in the evolving landscape of highly specialized genome editing tools.

24 Aug

New Online! The use of homology-directed repair in a complex landscape of genome editors

dlvr.itSpatial-EV-seq provides a tissue map of extracellular vesiclesNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 14 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01016-5In this Tools of the Trade article, Xu and Zhang (Yang lab) discuss the invention of Spatial-EV-seq, which allows researchers to spatially map extracellular vesicles in tissue slices.

17 Aug

ICYMI: New Online! Spatial-EV-seq provides a tissue map of extracellular vesicles

dlvr.itRegulation and roles of mammalian mitophagyNature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, Published online: 14 August 2026; doi:10.1038/s41580-026-01012-9Mitophagy contributes to cellular homeostasis through the recycling of damaged mitochondria and precise control of mitochondrial numbers. In this Review, Martens and Ganley summarize the molecular mechanisms involved in mitophagy pathways, mitophagy regulation and roles in disease.

17 Aug

ICYMI: New Online! Regulation and roles of mammalian mitophagy