Topics Of Life Science Research Articles

Introduction pages, NBHA-CN 52(3), 2024

The papers published in Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, Issue 3, Volume 52, 2024 represent new exciting research in different topics of life science, respectively in plant science, horticulture, agronomy, crop science, and forestry. Among the interesting articles, we invite you to find news about: Genetic improvement of drought stress tolerance in maize, recent advancements and future research direction; Exploring ecotypic plant adaptations and the influence of microbiota on mitigating environmental challenges; Unveiling the genetic landscape: Exploring the SSR-based genetic architecture and amino acid dissection of Gossypium barbadense and G. darwinii genomes; Role of iron oxide nanoparticles in maize (Zea mays L.) to enhance salinity stress tolerance; Differential physiological responses to salt stress in rice landraces in Thailand; Effects of chemical regulation on the growth, yield and fiber quality of cotton varieties with different plant architectures; Separation and identification of individual anthocyanins from the petals of some rose cultivars; Comparative analysis of seed morphology in genus Scutellaria L.; Effects of chemical fertilizer nitrogen substitution with rapeseed cake on microbial community in tobacco rhizosphere soil; Particle film treatments on ‘Assyrtiko’ grapevines enhance physiology and grape attributes in Santorini Island; Nutrimental modifications in blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) caused by vanadium supply; Exploring the effects of the assisted transfer of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) provenances in the Romanian Carpathians.

Introduction pages, Notulae Scientia Biologicae 16(3), 2024

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 3, Volume 16, 2024: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting research or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: Exogenous nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide as biotechnological tools for enhancing plant adaptation to cold; Optimization of the production of a new milk clotting enzyme by Aspergillus flavus thermophile on agro-industrial residues medium and characterization of the enzyme; Chemical composition and potential pharmacological applications of Centaurea acaulis L.; Evaluation of antimalarial compounds in Prosopis africana stem bark fractions against Plasmodium berghei; Bioactive potential of Algerian Citrullus colocynthis resin: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; Analysis of chemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant activities of pomegranate fruit thick and green tea leaf extracts; In silico analysis of Cucumis pubescens Willd. fruit extract phytocompounds and its activity against anti-diabetic targets; In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of different bacterial isolates against Botrytis gray mold of tomato; Integrated characterization and in vitro biocontrol of Fusarium sp. using Trichoderma asperellum; Morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) under cadmium stress; Delineating drought-induced antioxidative traits as potential mechanisms for climate resilience in Argania spinosa.

Introduction pages, NBHA-CN 52(2), 2024

The papers published in Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, Issue 2, Volume 52, 2024 represent new exciting research in different topics of life science, respectively in plant science, horticulture, agronomy, crop science, and forestry. Among the interesting articles, we invite you to find news about: Enhancing plant resistance to biotic stresses through rhizobacteria for sustainable agriculture; Efficacy of different bioagents in suppressing Meloidogyne incognita, and evaluation of some physio-biochemical changes in Phaseolus vulgaris L.; Diagnostic study of nitrogen nutrition in cotton based on unmanned aerial vehicle RGB images; Changes in growth, antioxidant, anti-Alzheimer, and antidiabetic potential of lamb’s lettuce Valerianella locusta grown hydroponically and on soil in response to salinity; Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) effect on germination and morphological parameters in alfalfa, tomato, and pepper; Synthesize of bio-based encapsulated nano urea modified hydroxyapatite for controlling release of nitrogen and enhancing green bean yield; Comparison of pepper accessions acting as rootstocks: A case with low P inputs; Marine actinomycetes for biocontrol of Fusarium solani in tomato plants: In vitro and in vivo studies; How the application of supporting substances affects the formation of fertile embryos of crossbred cherries and its germination.

Introduction pages, Notulae Scientia Biologicae 16(2), 2024

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 2, Volume 16, 2024: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting research or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: A “Teal” Deal for European agriculture; Phytochemical screening, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of Helianthus annuus and Hyophila involuta: A comparative account; Evaluating seed germination and early seedling growth of wild medicinal plants for saline soil cultivation; Comparative evaluation of the biochemical composition of fruits Malus spp.; Natural mycorrhizal colonization of different apricot rootstocks; Comparative study of mango cultivars at the ready-to-eat stage: The case of Western Crete, Greece, a cool subtropic region of the Mediterranean; Mosquito larvicidal bioassay with the fruit extracts of Diospyros kaki on filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus; Rapid GC-MS based metabolic profiling of Capsicum annuum L. seeds at different phases of germination; Antimicrobial potential of Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis and A. sclerotiorum: Insights from in vitro and molecular docking investigations.

Whole transcriptome analysis revealed the regulatory network and related pathways of non-coding RNA regulating ovarian atrophy in broody hens.

Poultry broodiness can cause ovarian atresia, which has a detrimental impact on egg production. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have become one of the most talked-about topics in life sciences because of the increasing evidence of their novel biological roles in regulatory systems. However, the molecular mechanisms of ncRNAs functions and processes in chicken ovarian development remain largely unknown. Whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing of the ovaries of broodiness and laying chickens was thus performed to identify the ncRNA regulatory mechanisms associated with ovarian atresia in chickens. Subsequent analysis revealed that the ovaries of laying chickens and those with broodiness had 40 differentially expressed MicroRNA (miRNAs) (15 up-regulated and 25 down-regulated), 379 differentially expressed Long Noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) (213 up-regulated and 166 down-regulated), and 129 differentially expressed circular RNA (circRNAs) (63 up-regulated and 66 down-regulated). The competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network analysis further revealed the involvement of ECM-receptor interaction, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, focal adhesion, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP channels, renin secretion, gap junction, insulin secretion, serotonergic synapse, and IL-17 signaling pathways in broodiness. Upon further analysis, it became evident that THBS1 and MYLK are significant candidate genes implicated in the regulation of broodiness. The expression of these genes is linked to miR-155-x, miR-211-z, miR-1682-z, gga-miR-155, and gga-miR-1682, as well as to the competitive binding of novel_circ_014674 and MSTRG.3306.4. The findings of this study reveal the existence of a regulatory link between non-coding RNAs and their competing mRNAs, which provide a better comprehension of the ncRNA function and processes in chicken ovarian development.

Introduction pages, NBHA-CN 52(1), 2024

The papers published in Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, Issue 1, Volume 52, 2024 represent new exciting research in different topics of life science, respectively in plant science, horticulture, agronomy, crop science, and forestry. Among the interesting articles we invite you to find news about: Battling arid adversity: unveiling the resilience of cotton in the face of drought and innovative mitigation approaches; Cereal crop genome editing tools and their applications to sustainable agriculture; Nutraceutical and antioxidant potential of selected wild edible plants from the cold-arid desert of Ladakh, India; Phytochemical profile, antioxidant capacity and wound healing potential of Viscum album L. growing on Robinia pseudoacacia L.; In vitro multiplication, antimicrobial, and insecticidal activity of Capparis spinosa L.; Optimizing the potential utilization of bioreactors for the mass propagation of Indonesian Dendrobium varieties; Grafting in Capsicum peppers as a strategy to mitigate the effects of climate change on yield and quality factors; Outcrossing mating system in natural populations of the endangered aquatic fern Ceratopteris thalictroides in China as revealed by microsatellite markers: implications for conservation; Chemometric and ICP-OES analyses of Forsythia europaea Degen & Bald. and its extracts; The effects of salinity stress on Amorpha fruticosa Linn. seed germination, physiological and biochemical mechanisms; The use of genetic resources in rose breeding and creation of new rose cultivars through hybridization and selection; Changes in mango postharvest quality due to nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium dose and production season; An analysis of plant palatability on pastures of the delta: Case study, Danube Delta area, Romania; Combining visual interpretation and image segmentation to derive canopy cover index from high resolution satellite imagery in functionally diverse coniferous forests.

Introduction pages, Notulae Scientia Biologicae 16(1), 2024

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 1, Volume 16, 2024: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting research or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: The negative and positive impacts of Prosopis juliflora on the Kenyan and Ethiopian ecosystems: A review study; Prevalence and antibiogram of aerobic bacterial isolates from pus samples in a tertiary care hospital of north Kerala, India; The effect of inflammatory factors on the buccal cavity in asthmatics and asthmatics obese in east of Algeria; Therapeutic potential of caffeic acid and coumarin in modifying aluminum-induced hepatic injury in Wistar rats; Diversity and abundance of insect’s community associated to Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels foliage; Cytological assessments and a methodological approach to observe the apoptotic effect of nickel sulfate (NiSO4) on Allium cepa L. root germination using EB/AO fluorescence staining; Probiotic potential of Enterococcus strains with multiple enterocin-encoding genes; Pseudomonas siderophores: production, spectrophotometry detection and Botrytis suppression; Inhibitory impact of aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of saffron (Crocus sativus) petals against some pathogenic bacteria; Chemical profiling and in-vitro anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities of essential oil from Rosmarinus officinalis L.; Antifungal activity against Candida albicans biofilm of Coffea robusta monofloral honey from Vietnam; Unveiling a rare case: cyclopia and its radiographic features in a non-descript primiparous heifer.

Which factors contribute to standardized test scores for prospective general science teachers: an analysis of the PraxisⓇ general science content knowledge test

Effective science instruction and associated student learning is reliant upon a strong foundation of teacher content knowledge. This study of the PraxisⓇ General Science Content Knowledge Test from May 2006 to June 2016 investigates content knowledge of 28,688 general science teacher candidates. Examinees performed well on Life Science topics while Earth & Space Science was identified as an area in need of support. Analysis of the assessment revealed differences in achievement associated with undergraduate major, gender, and ethnicity. Test-takers with STEM majors demonstrated stronger content knowledge than their out-of-field counterparts, that men outperformed women in the study, and White test-takers lost fewer scaled points than Black and Hispanic candidates. To strengthen recruitment and retention efforts, recommendations include reviewing our findings for alignment with state standards. This will facilitate development of comprehensive content knowledge professional learning experiences that will be used as an anchor for focused support on those topics where test-takers tend to demonstrate lowest proficiency.

Introduction pages, Notulae Scientia Biologicae 15(4), 2023

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 4, Volume 15, 2023: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting research or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: Medicinal potential and health benefits of torch ginger (Etlingera elatior); Phytochemical profile, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of crude latex (Pergularia tomentosa L.) in Algerian Saharan; Extractive optimization of antioxidants and phenolic compounds from Anacyclus pyrethrum; Antimicrobial and mosquito larvicidal activity of iron oxide nanoparticles phytosynthesized from the medicinal plant Andrographis serpyllifolia; Phytochemical characterization, biological screening and corrosion inhibition of mild steel from extracts of Juniperus oxycedrus L.; Supply of essential and nonessential amino acids, proteins, antioxidants, iron and zinc from the main varieties of beans consumed in Mexico and their potential for biofortification; Seed dormancy mechanism and dormancy-breaking methods in wild raspberry (Rubus fraxinifolius Poir.); New insights regarding the taxonomy and phylogeography of Onobrychis montana DC. subsp. transsilvanica (Fabaceae); Estimating dendrometric variables, volume and carbon from stump diameter for Pinus arizonica Engelm. in northern Mexico.

The distance between the humanities and medicine: Building a critical thinking mindset by interdisciplinary dialogue through mind mapping

In this study, we investigate the gap between the humanities and medicine. We propose a methodology to bridge this gap by fostering critical thinking skills through interdisciplinary dialogue and mind mapping. A critical thinking mindset amongst students could be successfully developed through the use of interdisciplinary dialogue. Our objective is to equip students from diverse academic backgrounds with the ability to effectively evaluate medical and life science information.Our study employs Socratic questioning, interdisciplinary dialogue, and the implementation of structural and relational mind-mapping techniques. Through Socratic questioning, students engage in-depth discussions that challenge their existing knowledge and encourage them to explore different perspectives. This approach facilitates the integration of multiple viewpoints and enhances students' ability to think critically about medical concepts and their implications. To organize and visualize complex information, mind mapping techniques are employed. Structural and relational mind maps help students comprehend the relationships between various concepts and to identify patterns within the subject matter. By visually representing information, students gain a deeper understanding of medical and life science topics and can effectively analyse and synthesize information from a holistic perspective.The findings of the study reveal that the interdisciplinary dialogue approach, coupled with mind-mapping techniques, significantly contributed to the development of critical thinking skills amongst students. Through active participation in discussions and the application of Socratic questioning, students demonstrated improved comprehension of medical concepts and the ability to construct well-informed arguments. This teaching method emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in liberal education. Our findings demonstrate that involving students with different academic majors fosters a collaborative learning environment, where diverse perspectives are valued. This approach not only enhances knowledge exchange but also encourages creativity and innovation in the field of medicine.In conclusion, our study highlights the potential of interdisciplinary dialogue and mind mapping as effective tools to bridge the gap between humanities and medicine. The findings indicate that students who engage in interdisciplinary dialogue and utilize mind-mapping techniques develop a critical thinking mindset, enabling them to proficiently evaluate medical and life science information. By incorporating these approaches into liberal education, students are equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of the medical field and to contribute to the evolving healthcare challenges of our society.

System Pro

System Pro is an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tool that analyzes search results from PubMed, producing a map of evidence-based relationships of health and life science topics. This Web-based tool also extracts data, summarizes abstracts, and provides citations to claims stated in their summary synthesis. This summary helps students and researchers contextualize the literature. While still very much in development, the tool can help researchers expedite the search and literature review process while still aiming for content accuracy and trustworthiness. The mapping feature also allows for the exploration of interrelated topics to increase interdisciplinary research, discoverability, and identification of literature gaps. As a more refined, research-oriented version of ChatGPT, Bing, or Bard, System Pro can help harness AI for research purposes.

Introduction pages, Notulae Scientia Biologicae 15(3), 2023

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 3, Volume 15, 2023: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting research or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: Acute oral toxicity of Cannabis sativa L. co-products in mice; Modulation of antioxidant activities, markers of hepatic and renal dysfunctions in alloxan-induced diabetic rats by Combretum dolichopetalum; Phytochemical screening, total phenolic content and antioxidant activities of Marrubium vulgare L. collected in three development stages; Comparison of different drying methods for phytochemical quality of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bert.); Evaluation of reproduction biology of Prunus cerasoides; Edible mushrooms – perspectives and considerations; Production of an important antidiabetic compound mangiferin through elicitation in Salacia chinensis under in vivo condition; Analysis of the antibacterial potentials of the leaf extracts of selected medicinal plants against pathogenic bacterial strains; Phytochemical fingerprinting and evaluation of in silico anti-thrombotic properties of Justicia adhatoda L. and Cordia dichotoma Frost.; Extraction of nutrients from Rumex vesicarius, a wild indigenous edible plant from United Arab Emirates; Effects of pre-harvest chitosan application on growth parameters and total phenolic - antioxidant contents of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.).

Introduction pages, NBHA-CN 51(3), 2023

The papers published in Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, Issue 3, Volume 51, 2023 represent new exciting research in different topics of life science, respectively in plant science, horticulture, agronomy, crop science, and forestry. Among the interesting articles we invite you to find news about: Comparison of the potential of extracts from the flower, fruit pulp, and seed of Cassia fistula L. on MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth and cell migration; Evaluation of anticancer activity of Plumbago indica root extract on cervical HeLa cancer cells; Metabolome and transcriptome analyses reveal the colouring mechanism of red honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunb.); Ethylene modulates root growth and mineral nutrients levels in trifoliate orange through the auxin-signaling pathway; Green nanotechnology for plant bacterial diseases management in cereal crops: a review on metal-based nanoparticles; Physiological responses of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plants to biochar application under water deficit conditions; Gene mining and functional analysis related to maize (Zea mays L.) seed size; Phytochemical properties, antioxidant potential and fatty acids profiling of three dragon fruit species grown under sub-tropical climate; Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory effect of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. stem bark extract; Ecotype effects on photosynthesis performance using A/PFFD among Pinus nigra Arn.; Assessment of herbaceous vegetation classification using orthophotos produced from the image acquired with unmanned aerial systems.

A virus becomes a global concern: research activities on West-Nile virus

ABSTRACT Currently, West-Nile virus (WNV) is spreading worldwide to colder regions due to climate change. Human mortality and morbidity are prevalent and steadily increasing, associated with costs to public health systems. Therefore, the question of the impact of scientific engagement arises. What trends, barriers, and incentives for research related to global burdens are important in this context? To answer these questions, this study provides detailed insights into the publication patterns of WNV research and interprets them using several parameters, such as absolute and relative publication indices and socioeconomic and epidemiological characteristics. It is shown that national interests combined with regional outbreaks significantly influence publication intensity. Thus, a correlation between national publication volume and the number of WNV cases was observed. In contrast to most life science topics, the scientific interest in WNV significantly decreased after 2006. The USA, as the main actor in WNV research, is at the centre of international networking. Recently, European countries are also getting involved according to their new-emerging outbreaks. The results demonstrate national interest in research activities with a lack of globally focused approaches that are urgently needed to better understand and assess the distribution and characteristics of WNV. Highlights There is a correlation between national WNV cases and the number of publications. The declining trend in WNV research does not correspond to the growing prevalence. USA as most-publishing country is also at the centre of networking WNV research. France is the primary network partner for African and Middle Eastern countries.

The effectiveness of Japanese public funding to generate emerging topics in life science and medicine.

Understanding the effectiveness of public funds to generate emerging topics will assist policy makers in promoting innovation. In the present study, we aim to clarify the effectiveness of grants to generate emerging topics in life sciences and medicine since 1991 with regard to Japanese researcher productivity and grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. To clarify how large grant amounts and which categories are more effective in generating emerging topics from both the PI and investment perspectives, we analyzed awarded PI publications containing emerging keywords (EKs; the elements of emerging topics) before and after funding. Our results demonstrated that, in terms of grant amounts, while PIs tended to generate more EKs with larger grants, the most effective investment from the perspective of investor side was found in the smallest amount range for each PI (less than 5 million JPY /year). Second, in terms of grant categories, we found that grant categories providing smaller amounts for diverse researchers without excellent past performance records were more effective from the investment perspective to generate EK. Our results suggest that offering smaller, widely dispersed grants rather than large, concentrated grants is more effective in promoting the generation of emerging topics in life science and medicine.

Introduction pages, Notulae Scientia Biologicae 15(2), 2023

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 2, Volume 15, 2023: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting research or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: Neuroprotective role of a protoberberine alkaloid against aluminum-induced neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity; Evaluation of cross-genus transferability of SSR markers from other legumes to two closely related Onobrychis (Fabaceae) taxa; Morphological characterization and cytological studies of the green-stemmed and the red-stemmed Basella alba; Wickerhamomyces anomalus WO2 inoculation protects Suaeda fruticosa from salt stress by the stimulation of the production of carotenoids and sugars and the augmentation of sodium translocation; Mycorrhizal status of Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels in northeastern of Morocco; Evaluation of two sampling methods for even-age Pinus forest in northern Mexico.

Introduction pages, NBHA-CN 51(2), 2023

The papers published in Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, Issue 2, Volume 51, 2023 represent new exciting research in different topics of life science, respectively in plant science, horticulture, agronomy, crop science, and forestry. Among the interesting articles we invite you to find news about: Cloning and analysis of DlERF23 gene in flower induction; Transcriptomic analysis reveals transcription factors involved in vascular bundle development and tissue maturation in ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale Roscoe); In vitro direct organogenesis of the medicinal single-mountain local prioritized vulnerable Greek endemic Achillea occulta under different medium variants; Methodological contribution on seed germination and seedling initial growth tests in wild plants; Deciphering the myth of cold tolerance in soybean: An overview of molecular breeding applications; The gall midge Obolodiplosis robiniae Haldemann (Diptera Cecidomyiidae) new invasive alien species in Europa; Effect of silvicultural treatment of individual selection on the horizontal structure of a pine-oak forest in northern Mexico.

Introduction pages, NBHA-CN 51(1), 2023

The papers published in Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, Issue 1, Volume 51, 2023 represent new exciting research in different topics of life science, respectively in plant science, horticulture, agronomy, and crop science. Among the interesting articles we invite you to find news about: Climate change, its impact on crop production, challenges, and possible solutions; The use of phytotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma – a systematic review; Anticancer effects of Rhinacanthus nasutus and Acanthus ebracteatus extracts against human cervical cancer cells; Iodine application in Vitis vinifera L. cv. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ improve bioactive compounds and enzymatic activity in berries; Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi promote photosynthesis in Antirrhinum majus L. under low-temperature and weak-light conditions; Biocontrol of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita with Purporeocillum lilacinum and liquid bio-formulates in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum); Impacts of heat shock on productivity and quality of Triticum aestivum L. at different growth stages.

Introduction pages, Notulae Scientia Biologicae 15(1), 2023

Notulae Scientia Biologicae (http://www.notulaebiologicae.ro), Issue 1, Volume 15, 2023: The papers published in this issue represent interesting novelties in different topics of life science. Among the exciting research or reviews, we invite readers to find news about: Antidepressant and anxiolytic-like activities of the dichloromethane/methanol extract of Crateva adansonii in mice exposed to chronic mild stress; Elemental impact on antibacterial study of hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Belosynapsis vivipara; Flow cytometry and chromosome numbers variation in argan tree Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels; Assessment of analgesic properties of alcohol and aqueous extracts of Opuntia ficus-indica flowers; Chemical composition of Vitex agnus-castus L. flowers collected from populations distributed in Aydin, Türkiye; Phytochemical studies and in vitro evaluation of the antioxidant activity of some medicinal and aromatic plants from Morocco; Antioxidant capacity and nutraceutical compounds content of six common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties harvested in Morelos, Mexico; Impact of magnetization of irrigation water on growth, yield and nutritional qualities of tomato under deficit irrigation.

Exploring the realm of soft matter biophysics: an early career perspective.

This special issue of Emerging Topics in Life Sciences presents a selection of reviews that give insight into the vast array of research taking place in the fields of soft matter and biophysics, and where these two intersect. The reviews here cover the full range from the fundamentals of how biological systems may have assembled to how we can use this insight to develop and exploit new biomaterials for the future, all informed through the lens of the physical sciences. This issue has been both written and edited by early career researchers, highlighting the cutting-edge contributions that this generation of researchers is bringing to the field.