Review articles are our bread and butter. Here, we would like to offer some insights on how to craft a comprehensive and authoritative assessment of a field.

DNA computing takes advantage of DNA molecular interactions to achieve information processing for liquid-phase computing. This Review discusses designing rules, implementation strategies and biomedical applications of DNA computing circuits.

Large language models have received great attention owing to their capabilities to understand and generate human language. This Review aims to provide an overview of the development and deployment of large language models in medicine, including the challenges and opportunities they face.

The brain continuously receives, integrates and responds to an influx of sensory signals emerging from the internal organs; this crosstalk is difficult to interrogate causally. In this Review, we discuss developments in multifunctional implantable neurotechnologies aimed at establishing robust bioelectronic interfaces between the brain and the peripheral organs suitable for long-term studies of brain–body signalling.

Oxygen masks typically rely on an external oxygen supply, whether in the form of oxygen tanks or capsules. In response to ‘the ultimate bioengineering challenge’ competition, we present the design of a self-sustained oxygen mask using lightweight biocompatible materials to provide extended oxygen supply and water collection for low-resource settings.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines hold promise for creating new and improved immunizations; however, their delivery is challenging in terms of compliance, reactogenicity, cost and scalability. In response to ‘the ultimate bioengineering challenge’ competition, we propose an edible mRNA vaccine platform using lettuce chloroplasts.

Vaccine distribution in remote areas without reliable electricity or refrigeration options presents major challenges. In response to ‘the ultimate bioengineering challenge’ competition, we present the design of a biorefrigerator made of biodegradable, locally sourced materials that is engineered to preserve vaccines at optimal temperatures without requiring external energy.

Women’s health research is understudied and underprioritized. A holistic approach that leverages technological tools, fosters collaboration across sectors and addresses systemic biases is necessary to develop equitable healthcare.

In our ultimate bioengineering challenge competition, we asked early-career bioengineers to theoretically tackle some of the most pressing global health challenges. They have risen to the occasion with enthusiasm, creativity and innovation.

An article in Nature Communications reports a positron emission tomography (PET) reporter system to measure the biodistribution and translational persistence of an mRNA-encoded antigen in the whole body, providing a non-invasive and precise route to monitor the spatiotemporal dynamics of mRNA vaccine antigen expression in vivo.