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A receptor, induced on the surface of macrophages under stressful conditions, can detect tissue injury, stimulating inflammation and possibly repair, a RIKEN-led team of molecular biologists has discovered. Their work could provide new leads for anti-inflammatory drugs and healing.

Read more of the article entitled 'How the body senses emergency'

A unique model may describe the genetic switch that controls whether a T cell becomes a helper or a killer

Read more of the article entitled 'Looping-the-loop'

New work by researchers from RIKEN in Japan has demonstrated the dynamic process of controlling stress responses in plants. To survive, plants must react quickly to environmental hazards such as drought, cold and salt.

Read more of the article entitled 'The molecular machinery of drought response'

Japanese researchers have identified a molecular mechanism by which bacteria found in hot springs can survive hard times. Interestingly, about half the genes involved are similar to those found in humans, but the key regulator gene is not.

Read more of the article entitled 'The recession gene'

Nano-patterning on silicon: a single compound reacts with silicon surface to form perpendicular molecular lines

Read more of the article entitled 'Writing between the lines'