Browse our latest Physics of Living Systems articles

Cryo-electron microscopy uncovers molecular determinants of a unique symmetry mismatched macromolecular cage in E. coli.

‘Optical tweezers’ measurements of single ribosomes and single mRNA molecules show that the translation rate depends exponentially on the applied force, and suggests that the ribosome functions as a Brownian ratchet.

A combination of experiment and theory shows that pairs of eukaryotic flagella can achieve robust synchronization solely through the action of the fluid that surrounds them.

Mammalian sperm subject to shear flow swim in upstream spirals along the walls bounding such flows, thereby demonstrating a robust mechanism for upstream navigation to the ovum.

ATP consumption enables chaperones to exploit the different kinetic properties of their conformational states to exhibit a non-equilibrium affinity for their substrates that is orders of magnitude higher than its equilibrium value.

A simple model reveals the roles of colony geometry and diffusion rate in allowing microbes to cooperate by sharing public goods.

The ability of an enzyme called XPD helicase to unwind the double helix is influenced by the DNA sequence and the availability of energy.