Neural changes in pregnancy are not well understood. Here Pritschet et al. present an open-access precision brain imaging resource, mapping neuroanatomical change in an individual from preconception through postpartum.

Colossal Biosciences CEO Ben Lamm says the critics who call his dire wolves designer dogs are missing the point: ‘It’s a stupid argument.’

Repair Drive enables in vivo expansion of gene-targeted hepatocytes in adult mice.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as a leading platform for gene therapy, enabling the delivery of therapeutic DNA to target cells. However, the potential of AAV to deliver protein payloads has been unexplored. In this study, we engineered a protein carrier AAV (pcAAV) to package and deliver proteins by inserting binding domains on the interior capsid surface. These binding domains mediate the packaging of specific target proteins through interaction with cognate peptides or protein tags during the capsid assembly process. We demonstrate the packaging of multiple proteins, including green fluorescent protein, Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9, Cre recombinase, and the engineered peroxidase APEX2. Packaging efficiency is modulated by the binding domain insertion site, the viral protein isoform containing the binding domain, and the subcellular localization of the target protein. We show that pcAAV can enter cells and deliver the protein payload and that enzymes retain their activity after packaging. Importantly, this protein packaging capability can be translated to multiple AAV serotypes. Our work establishes AAV as a protein delivery vehicle, significantly expanding the utility of this viral vector for biomedical applications.

Present a preclinical study on mice and macaques demonstrating the safety and efficacy of YCT-529, a drug forming the basis of the “first non-hormonal male birth control pill”. This research is from a startup called YourChoice Therapeutics — which is now working on human clinical trials. Exciting to see reproductive medicine advancing in this direction! #reproductivehealth.

[ https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-025-00752-7](https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-025-00752-7)

Mitochondria regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation. This process is carried out by five membrane-bound complexes collectively known as the respiratory chain, working in concert to transfer electrons and pump protons…

Serratia marcescens, a pathogen with an uncanny resemblance to blood, has had an outsized influence on modern science.

I very much enjoyed reading this nicely done preclinical study on using nebulized vasopressin to improve social cognition in low-sociality rhesus monkeys. Reading about their study design in particular was highly informative/educational! #preclinical #medicine #biomedicine

Low cerebrospinal (CSF) arginine vasopressin (AVP) concentration is a biomarker of social impairment in low-social monkeys and children with autism, suggesting that AVP administration may improve primate social functioning. However, AVP administration also increases aggression, at least in “neurotypical” animals with intact AVP signaling. Here, we tested the effects of a voluntary drug administration method in low-social male rhesus monkeys with high autistic-like trait burden. Monkeys received nebulized AVP or placebo, using a within-subjects design. Study 1 (N = 8) investigated the effects of AVP administration on social cognition in two tests comparing responses to social versus nonsocial stimuli. Test 1: Placebo-administered monkeys lacked face recognition memory, whereas face recognition memory was “rescued” following AVP administration.

Dyno’s LEAP ML system designs high performing proteins bypassing the need for an expensive animal experiment.

The nerve cord controlling the prehensile arm of the octopus has been poorly described. Here the authors explore the segmental arrangement of the nervous tissue, which guides motor control in the octopus.