Plasmids that replicate independently from chromosomes are valuable genetic tools for biological research. Dynamic control of plasmid copy number facilitates flexible regulation of the gene of interest or the genetic circuit installed in the plasmid. This useful strategy is being integrated into synthetic biology for metabolic reprogramming and biosensing applications.

DNA is an intelligent data storage medium due to its stability and high density. It has been used by nature for over 3.5 billion years. Compared with traditional methods, DNA offers better compression and physical density. DNA can retain information for thousands of years. However, challenges exist in scalability, standardization, metadata gathering, biocybersecurity, and specialized tools. Addressing these challenges is crucial for widespread implementation. Collaboration among experts, as well as keeping the future in mind, is needed to unlock the full potential of DNA data storage, which promises low energy costs, high-density storage, and long-term stability.

The IS200/605 transposons in prokaryotes are known to harbor programmable endonucleases. Despite carrying their own transposable elements, no such effector has been characterized in eukaryotes. Saito et al. recently reported compact and programmable RNA-guided eukaryotic endonucleases, called Fanzors, that can induce targeted genetic modifications, thus expanding the genome-editing toolbox.

Advancements in materials-driven mechanobiology have yielded significant progress. Mechanobiology explores how cellular and tissue mechanics impact development, physiology, and disease, where extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamically interacts with cells. Biomaterial-based platforms emulate synthetic ECMs, offering precise control over cellular behaviors by adjusting mechanical properties. Recent technological advances enable in vitro models replicating active mechanical stimuli in vivo. These models manipulate cellular mechanics even at a subcellular level. In this review we discuss recent material-based mechanomodulatory studies in mechanobiology. We highlight the endeavors to mimic the dynamic properties of native ECM during pathophysiological processes like cellular homeostasis, lineage specification, development, aging, and disease progression. These insights may inform the design of accurate in vitro mechanomodulatory platforms that replicate ECM mechanics.