Comment in 2025

For a century, the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) has been an essential resource for biologists, fuelling discoveries in areas from cancer to infectious diseases. In this Comment, we outline ATCC’s key role in setting global standards and championing innovation and quality in biological research.

In the wake of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, urgent efforts aimed at understanding radiation sickness catalysed the birth of bone marrow transplantation and stem cell biology. In this historical Comment, we highlight the critical role of government support in empowering fundamental studies that can lead, often unexpectedly, to considerable advances for science and human health.

The German Stem Cell Network (GSCN) connects science, society and policy to advance stem cell research. Since 2013, it has promoted innovation, ethics and public engagement. Recognizing Europe’s need for stronger collaboration, the GSCN aims to build a pan-European network to enhance research and translation, and to support young scientists.

Statistical thinking is a core part of solid, trustworthy biology. However, many studies still include insufficient sample sizes, have poor experimental design or select an incorrect statistical method for the hypothesis being tested. Here we present ten statistical tips for cell biology.

Programmes that support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in science are under attack in the USA. Data indicate that diversity in the scientific workforce increases creativity and success in tackling challenging problems. Loss of promising talent supported by these programmes will substantially weaken our research capacity, limit innovation and substantially reduce discoveries important for driving scientific advancements.

As biomedical research prioritizes human models and translational promise, classic model organisms are increasingly dismissed. Here we argue that they have a lasting value, both in enabling discovery and in cultivating scientific thinking, by training researchers in systems reasoning, integrative thinking and independent inquiry.

We hypothesize that stress-induced RNA structural changes, stabilized by RNA-binding proteins in biomolecular condensates, propagate via conformational catalysis in a prion-like manner across generations. Our model suggests that RNA structure encodes heritable memory, and its roles should be explored in epigenetic inheritance, evolutionary adaptation and disease.

Recent literature has explored the contributions of oligodendrocytes and myelin dysfunction to Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we discuss emerging evidence that oligodendrocytes may directly contribute to disease pathology and progression.

Creating clear and engaging scientific figures is crucial to communicate complex data. In this Comment, I condense principles from design, visual perception and data visualization research in a checklist that can help researchers to improve their data visualization, by focusing on clarity, accessibility and design best practices.

Autophagy has long been presumed to decline with age, underpinning its designation as a hallmark of ageing. However, emerging evidence challenges this notion, showing tissue-specific variability and, in some cases, age-related increases in autophagic activity. Understanding these dynamics is vital for targeted therapeutic strategies.

Lysosomal dysfunction is emerging as a common pathogenic mechanism underlying normal ageing and many age-related diseases. Lysohormesis, the triggering of beneficial adaptations by mild lysosomal stress leading to increased lysosomal function and cellular stress resilience, could provide a common solution to many age-related issues.