Summary: The placenta is the only mammalian organ that harbors a cancer-like genome while remaining functional and healthy. This Review highlights its high mutational load, structural variants, aneupl...

This study identifies the Apicomplexa-specific methyltransferase PCKMT and reveals how it works with the previously known AKMT in a two-step pathway that initiates parasite motility and invasion.

Inside cells, DNA is intimately associated with proteins, forming chromatin. The protein constituents of chromatin vary across the tree of life: histones are the principal building blocks of chromatin...

Chloroplast-stealing ciliates evolve, increasing reliance on their prey for all aspects of metabolism, including photosynthesis.

Nature Microbiology, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41564-026-02342-2Prioritizing prenatal screening to prevent Chagas disease

Author summary Although iron is essential for most cells, excess can be toxic, so uptake and storage must be carefully controlled. The ability to respond to iron is particularly important for parasite...