This study reports the first in plant synthesis of luminescent and photo-responsive lignin by genetically engineering poplar trees to incorporate scopoletin into the lignin polymer. Through controlled enzyme expression, we achieved lignin with strong, stable luminescence, visible-range emission, and resistance to quenching. Additionally, the material exhibits pH-responsive fluorescence and reversible photo-dimerization, enabling light-controlled functionality. These unique properties open new opportunities for sustainable biomaterials with potential applications in environmental sensing, smart polymers, and advanced photonic materials.

The secretory pathway in eukaryotic cells is crucial for maintaining cellular function and physiological activities, as it ensures the accurate transport of proteins to specific subcellular locations or for secretion outside the cell. A research team led by Prof. GUO Yusong from the Division of Life Science at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has been extensively investigating the molecular mechanisms by which cargo proteins are recognized and loaded into transport vesicles in the secretory pathway. The team has successfully reconstituted the packaging of multiple disease-related cargo proteins into vesicles along the secretory route, providing a powerful tool for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of cargo loading. In addition, they developed an innovative analysis platform that integrates vesicle reconstitution with electron microscopy and proteomics, enabling systematic identification of vesicle protein composition and morphological features. This comprehensive approach has proven effective in uncovering novel cargo clients and cellular factors that mediate vesicular trafficking (Figure 1).

Researchers have developed a novel chemical process to recycle waste sourced from fishing nets and automotive parts

The opening of Arizona State University’s new medical school took a giant leap forward today with two important pieces of news that will accelerate activity as the school begins to prepare for its first class in August 2026.

Recently, a review study led by Professor Xuejun Liu from the College of Resources and Environmental Sciences at China Agricultural University and Tianxiang Hao et al. systematically analyzed the current status of China’s farmland carbon budget, providing a scientific solution to this dilemma. The related paper has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025602).

Recently, Guoqin Huang from Jiangxi Agricultural University and Kai Huang from Guangxi Hydraulic Research Institute systematically reviewed the multiple benefits of sugarcane intercropping in optimizing soil fertility. Their findings offer new insights for ecological restoration of dry sloping farmland in southern China. The related paper has been published in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025612).