Research Background The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a primary vector for arboviruses such as dengue and Zika. Current genetic control strategies relying on the release of non-biting males (e.g., Sterile Insect Technique, SIT, or Wolbachia-based Incompatible Insect Technique, IIT) face a critical bottleneck: how to efficiently and cost-effectively iso...

Academic Background DNA damage repair (DDR) is a core mechanism for maintaining genome stability, and its dysfunction is closely associated with cancer development. Valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97), a member of the AAA+ ATPase family, plays a critical role in DDR by recognizing ubiquitinated proteins and recruiting repair factors (e.g., 53BP1, ...

Academic Background Proton transfer plays a central role in biological energy conversion (e.g., ATP synthesis) and signal transduction. Traditional theory posits that protons move via a “hopping mechanism” through water chains or amino acid side chains, while the recently proposed “proton-coupled electron transfer” (PCET) hypothesis suggests that e...

Academic Background Chemotaxis is a critical behavior in which cells or microorganisms move directionally along chemical gradients, playing vital roles in physiological processes such as immune responses, wound healing, and pathogen infections. However, how cells select optimal motility modes (e.g., pseudopod splitting or de novo formation) in comp...

Academic Background RNA, as a carrier of genetic information and functional molecule, has long been considered an “undruggable” target. In recent years, with advances in RNA structural biology, scientists have begun exploring the development of small-molecule drugs targeting RNA. However, this field faces three core challenges: (1) lack of systemat...

Academic Background Protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is a core mechanism for maintaining normal cellular function, with the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) responsible for degrading approximately 80% of abnormal proteins. Traditionally, proteins were thought to require ubiquitination for recognition and degradation by the 26S proteasome. Howeve...

Academic Background G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane proteins in the human body, transmitting extracellular signals through heterotrimeric G proteins (composed of Gα and Gβγ subunits). G proteins function as molecular switches, with their activity states regulated by the GTP/GDP cycle: - Inactive state: Gα bind...

1. Research Background Meiosis is the core process of sexual reproduction in eukaryotes, generating haploid gametes through homologous chromosome pairing, synapsis, and crossover. Polyploidy is a major driver of plant evolution, but additional chromosome copies disrupt key meiotic steps, leading to sterility or genomic instability. Core scientific ...

Academic Background Microbiomes are among the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, consisting of hundreds of functionally distinct microbial populations interacting through complex resource exchange networks. However, a long-standing unresolved question is: How is this extraordinary diversity maintained through metabolic interactions among populations...

Academic Background Touch is one of the earliest developed human senses and is crucial for physical and mental well-being. However, with the increasing prevalence of virtual communication, the lack of tactile interaction in remote exchanges may lead to psychological issues such as anxiety and loneliness. Previous studies have shown that touch can e...