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TALEN-induced mutation of all homologous copies of a gene that represses resistance to an important wheat pathogen confers a trait that has eluded plant breeders for decades. Sequence-specific nucleases have been applied to engineer targeted modifications in polyploid genomes 1 , but simultaneous modification of multiple homoeoalleles has not been reported. Here we use transcription activator–like effector nuclease (TALEN) 2 , 3 and clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 (refs. 4 , 5 ) technologies in hexaploid bread wheat to introduce targeted mutations in the three homoeoalleles that encode MILDEW-RESISTANCE LOCUS (MLO) proteins 6 . Genetic redundancy has prevented evaluation of whether mutation of all three MLO alleles in bread wheat might confer resistance to powdery mildew, a trait not found in natural populations 7 . We show that TALEN-induced mutation of all three TaMLO homoeologs in the same plant confers heritable broad-spectrum resistance to powdery mildew. We further use CRISPR-Cas9 technology to generate transgenic wheat plants that carry mutations in the TaMLO-A1 allele. We also demonstrate the feasibility of engineering targeted DNA insertion in bread wheat through nonhomologous end joining of the double-strand breaks caused by TALENs. Our findings provide a methodological framework to improve polyploid crops.

The star‐nosed mole is recognized as a tactilely sensitive mammal due to its unique nose, which facilitates spatial detection in dark environments through touch using its appendages enveloped in numerous sensory receptors. This article introduces a bionic soft robot inspired by the star‐nosed mole, which combines a pneumatic soft platform with a polydimethylsiloxane–polyethylene terephthalate cylindrical tactile sensor array based on bilayer single‐electrode triboelectric nanogenerators, mimicking the muscle tissue of the mole's nose and the cylindrical appendages surrounded by Eimer's organs. The cylindrical sensor array enables multiangle spatial detection without an external power supply and remains unaffected by external materials. By implementing a constant curvature model for robot motion control, positional information is provided for the contact points between the cylindrical sensor array and the external environment. The robot effectively discriminates the distance and shape of various objects and achieves nonvisual 3D spatial detection and reconstruction in real‐world scenarios. This work presents a novel bionic approach for 3D spatial detection in nonvisual environments. This study introduces a bionic soft robot inspired by the star‐nosed mole, equipped with a polydimethylsiloxane–polyethylene terephthalate cylindrical tactile sensor array based on bilayer single‐electrode triboelectric nanogenerators, mimicking the appendage surrounded by Eimer's organs and the muscle tissue of the mole's nose. It effectively detects object distance and shape, achieving nonvisual 3D spatial detection and reconstruction.

The Gao laboratory provides its protocol for targeted editing of crop genomes using the CRISPR/Cas system. Genome alterations can be induced by transient transfection of rice or wheat protoplasts or by stable transformation of rice plants. Targeted genome editing nucleases, such as zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), are powerful tools for understanding gene function and for developing valuable new traits in plants. The clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas system has recently emerged as an alternative nuclease-based method for efficient and versatile genome engineering. In this system, only the 20-nt targeting sequence within the single-guide RNA (sgRNA) needs to be changed to target different genes. The simplicity of the cloning strategy and the few limitations on potential target sites make the CRISPR/Cas system very appealing. Here we describe a stepwise protocol for the selection of target sites, as well as the design, construction, verification and use of sgRNAs for sequence-specific CRISPR/Cas-mediated mutagenesis and gene targeting in rice and wheat. The CRISPR/Cas system provides a straightforward method for rapid gene targeting within 1–2 weeks in protoplasts, and mutated rice plants can be generated within 13–17 weeks.

This study systematically investigates the failure patterns, energy dissipation, and fracture behavior of rock specimens containing a vertical hole under impact loads. First, an improved damage calculation equation suitable for the analysis of rock specimens with a vertical hole is obtained based on the one-dimensional stress wave theory and the interface continuity condition. After that, the Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) device was used to conduct cyclic impact tests with different impact pressures and impact modes (impact pressures with equal amplitude and unequal amplitude). The experimental results suggest that, under the equal-amplitude high pressure and unequal-amplitude pressure, the degree of damage of the rock significantly increased, the bearing capacity greatly reduced, and the rock gradually transitions from having good ductility to experiencing brittle failure. The cumulative specific energy absorption value gradually increases with the increase in the cyclic impact. Compared to that of the equal impact condition, the degree of damage to the rock is more severe for the case of equal-amplitude high pressure and unequal impact, and the failure mode undergoes a transformation from transverse tensile failure to transverse tensile failure-axial splitting failure combination and axial splitting failure. Through the analysis of rock energy changes and rock failure patterns during cyclic impact, it will be helpful to predict and control the fracture caused by local stress concentration during excavation, thus can reduce the cost of support and reinforcement in excavation and improve the stability of surrounding rocks.

Star‐Nose‐Inspired Bionic Soft Robot This image portrays a bionic soft robot inspired by the star‐nosed mole, equipped with a PDMS‐PET cylindrical tactile sensor array based on bilayer single‐electrode triboelectric nanogenerators, mimicking the appendage surrounded by Eimer’s organs and the muscle tissue of the mole’s nose. It detects object distance and shapes effectively, achieving non‐visual three‐dimensional spatial detection and reconstruction. More details can be found in article number 2400601 by Yunqi Cao, Dibo Hou, and co‐workers.

A new class of gene-editing reagents precisely alters plant genomes without creating a DNA double strand break.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a newly emerged coronavirus, and has been pandemic since March 2020 and led to many fatalities. Vaccines represent the most efficient means to control and stop the pandemic of COVID-19. However, currently there is no effective COVID-19 vaccine approved to use worldwide except for two human adenovirus vector vaccines, three inactivated vaccines, and one peptide vaccine for early or limited use in China and Russia. Safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 are in urgent need. Researchers around the world are developing 213 COVID-19 candidate vaccines, among which 44 are in human trials. In this review, we summarize and analyze vaccine progress against SARS-CoV, Middle-East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2, including inactivated vaccines, live attenuated vaccines, subunit vaccines, virus like particles, nucleic acid vaccines, and viral vector vaccines. As SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV share the common genus, Betacoronavirus , this review of the major research progress will provide a reference and new insights into the COVID-19 vaccine design and development.

Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death that is driven by iron-dependent phospholipid peroxidation, has been implicated in multiple diseases, including cancer 1 – 3 , degenerative disorders 4 and organ ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) 5 , 6 . Here, using genome-wide CRISPR–Cas9 screening, we identified that the enzymes involved in distal cholesterol biosynthesis have pivotal yet opposing roles in regulating ferroptosis through dictating the level of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC)—an intermediate metabolite of distal cholesterol biosynthesis that is synthesized by sterol C5-desaturase (SC5D) and metabolized by 7-DHC reductase (DHCR7) for cholesterol synthesis. We found that the pathway components, including MSMO1 , CYP51A1 , EBP and SC5D , function as potential suppressors of ferroptosis, whereas DHCR7 functions as a pro-ferroptotic gene. Mechanistically, 7-DHC dictates ferroptosis surveillance by using the conjugated diene to exert its anti-phospholipid autoxidation function and shields plasma and mitochondria membranes from phospholipid autoxidation. Importantly, blocking the biosynthesis of endogenous 7-DHC by pharmacological targeting of EBP induces ferroptosis and inhibits tumour growth, whereas increasing the 7-DHC level by inhibiting DHCR7 effectively promotes cancer metastasis and attenuates the progression of kidney IRI, supporting a critical function of this axis in vivo. In conclusion, our data reveal a role of 7-DHC as a natural anti-ferroptotic metabolite and suggest that pharmacological manipulation of 7-DHC levels is a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer and IRI. 7-Dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) is a natural anti-ferroptotic metabolite and pharmacological manipulation of 7-DHC levels shows promise as a therapeutic strategy for cancer and ischaemia–reperfusion injury.

China is unique among nations on account of its rich aquatic biodiversity (1443 inland fish species comprising 10% of those worldwide), status as the world’s largest producer (50%) of inland fish, and recent history of significant disruption of natural ecosystems. Ecological Civilization, a policy increasingly advocated in China since 2015, provides a strong platform to protect aquatic ecosystems and restore biodiversity in inland waters. We reviewed processes, policies, and outcomes related to inland fisheries and aquatic biodiversity during the 70 years since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Particular focus was on recent transformations in inland fisheries development and protection of inland aquatic biodiversity (IAB) under the goals of China’s recent Ecological Civilization policy. We describe how Chinese inland fisheries have undergone three transformative historical phases, (1) rapid development, (2) over-exploitation, and (3) vigorous protection. A series of newly introduced policies and programs hold promise for rehabilitating IAB. Global implications are considered by comparison with many of the world’s major river basins. We highlight the challenge of balancing fisheries development with biodiversity conservation; avoiding incidental adverse effects on conservation; rationalizing development under protection; eliminating gaps between protected areas, averting extinction and restoring endangered species; and integrating protection in managing watershed ecosystems. In the context of the global decline in freshwater biodiversity, the 70 years of fisheries development and biodiversity conservation in Chinese inland waters serve as a leading example for global IAB.