In this collection, the cancer editorial community of the Nature journals presents the most recently published articles on cancer evolution. The topic is discussed from different angles (preclinical, translational and clinical), and across a range of tumour types.

Metabolism has a central role in cellular and organismal growth, survival and development. Imbalances in metabolic pathways have also been linked to diseases such as cancer and obesity. Nature Cell Biologypresents a series of review articles published in the journal over several months, covering various aspects of this diverse field. An accompanying online library presents research papers on this topic published in the past two years fromNature Cell Biologyand other Nature journals.

A web focus from Cell Death & Differentiation, Cell Death & Disease, Nature Reviews Cancer, Nature Cell Biology, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology and Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. We hope you enjoy this focus including work from the world's most recognized experts in the field of autophagy.

Cells are exposed to both internal and external threats against the integrity of the genome. DNA damage and incorrect chromosome segregation can have deleterious effects such as cell death and uncontrolled proliferation. Therefore, multiple mechanisms are in place to ensure the surveillance and maintenance of genome integrity. Current topics in this exciting and active field have been discussed by leading scientists in a series of Reviews published in Nature Cell Biologyover the past months. These are accompanied by a library of related research articles published recently inNature Cell Biologyand other Nature journals.

Cancer is a disease of deregulated cellular behaviour. Oncogenic alterations endow cancer cells with properties that allow them to hijack normal cellular processes resulting in unlimited proliferation, evasion of death signals and spread to distant sites through the process of metastasis. Nature Cell Biologypresents a series of review and perspective articles published over several months, in which leading scientists discuss recent advances and challenges in cancer cell biology. An accompanying online library presents related research papers fromNature Cell Biologyand other Nature journals.

Normal cellular function requires coordinated control of the pathways that regulate nutrient uptake, respiration and biosynthesis. Thus, how metabolism is regulated, and how alterations in metabolic pathways lead to disease, are important and active areas of research. This special collection of research and review articles published in Nature Cell Biologyhighlights recent advances in this rapidly moving field.

Cilia are dynamic organelles that modulate various developmental and physiological processes. Perturbation of cilia function has been linked to a range of diseases. We present a collection of research articles published in Nature Cell Biologyover the past few years that highlights current knowledge of cilia biogenesis and function.

Cellular membranes in eukaryotes are dynamic structures. The budding and fusion of vesicles, as well as the proper delivery of their contents, requires coordinated interactions between coat complexes, adaptor proteins, cargo molecules and cellular machinery including the cytoskeleton. The January 2012 issue of Nature Cell Biologypresents a series of review articles by leading scientists on recent developments in membrane dynamics — including endocytosis, and vesicle biogenesis and transport — and the importance of these processes in development and disease.

The maintenance of genomic integrity requires tight control of the cell division process as well as accurate repair of damaged DNA, and failure in such mechanisms can cause developmental disorders and cancer. In the October issue of Nature Cell Biology, leading scientists highlight and discuss new developments in these areas.

The pace of stem cell research continues to accelerate, with rapid advances being made in diverse areas, from understanding the fundamentals of their biology to how these unique cells can give insights into the genetic and cellular causes of human disease. This joint Focus between Nature Cell BiologyandNature Reviews Geneticsreviews the latest developments, including the nature of pluripotency, methods for manipulating cell fate and how stem cells might be used in clinical and research applications.

Autophagy targets damaged organelles and proteins for lysosomal degradation. This potent degradation mechanism has crucial roles in development, immune defence, programmed cell death, tumour suppression, neurodegeneration and stress response. The September 2010 issue of Nature Cell Biologypresents a series of specially commissioned Reviews, Perspectives and Commentaries highlighting new insights into this process.