The American Society for Cell Biology

10/23/2026

From MBoC: How do bacteria determine their size and shape?

Scientists have long known that bacterial cell size changes depending on nutrient conditions, but exactly how metabolism controls those dimensions remains an open question.

In “The phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system regulates cell length and width through semi-independent pathways,” researchers found that a sugar-import system called PTS helps regulate both the length and width of E. coli cells—but through different mechanisms. Cell length is largely controlled through cAMP signaling, while cell width is linked to levels of the metabolites PEP and pyruvate.

The findings reveal new connections between metabolism and the mechanisms bacteria use to control their size.

Read the research:
https://www.molbiolcell.org/doi/10.1091/mbc.E26-03-0129

10/22/2026

Honoring those who have helped shape cell biology.

Congratulations to Daniel Starr of the University of California, Davis on being named a 2026 ASCB Fellow.

This honor recognizes scientists whose research, mentorship, leadership, and service have made lasting contributions to both ASCB and the broader cell biology community.

Learn more:
https://www.ascb.org/society-news/fifteen-visionary-scientists-named-2026-ascb-fellows/

10/21/2026

From MBoC: Not all tubulin modifications do the same job.

Microtubules perform a remarkable range of functions within cells, but how cells fine-tune those functions is still being uncovered.

In “Mutating different α-tubulin acetylation sites has distinct effects on axon terminal morphogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster,” researchers investigated three lesser-studied acetylation sites in α-tubulin. They found that altering each site produced different effects on neuronal development, behavior, survival, and microtubule stability—suggesting that individual acetylation sites may help regulate distinct aspects of microtubule function.

Read the research:
https://www.molbiolcell.org/doi/10.1091/mbc.E25-10-0508

10/20/2026

What if AI could help design novel human antibodies against specific targets?

Join ASCB on November 17 at 12:00 pm ET for a free webinar with Perry Wasdin, PhD, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Learn how MAGE, a protein language model, works with LIBRA-seq to generate antigen-specific antibody sequences and accelerate antibody discovery.

Free for ASCB members and nonmembers.

https://www.ascb.org/ascb-meetings/generation-of-antigen-specific-paired-chain-anitibodies-using-large-language-models/

10/20/2026

Breakthrough discoveries begin with bold ideas.

Congratulations to David Breslow of Yale University, recipient of the 2026 ASCB Innovation in Research Award.

This award honors scientists whose recent discoveries have significantly advanced the field of cell biology through innovative research.

Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!

Learn more:
https://www.ascb.org/society-news/ascb-announces-2026-honorific-award-winners/

10/19/2026

Protecting the integrity of American science requires more than temporary action.

Following Congress's temporary block of proposed White House research regulations, ASCB is calling for permanent protections to safeguard federally funded science from political interference.

In a letter to Senate leaders, ASCB President Rong Li emphasized the importance of preserving scientific integrity, supporting innovation, and protecting America's leadership in life science research.

Read more about ASCB's efforts to advocate for lasting protections for the scientific community.

ASCB calls on Congress to permanently protect federally funded research from political interference and preserve the integrity of American science.

10/19/2026

From MBoC: What helps cells stay connected while moving together to build and reshape tissues?

In “A screen for adherens junction proteins regulating collective cell migration and te**is morphogenesis reveals important roles for the Rab GAP RN-tre and the kinase Par-1,” researchers used migrating muscle cells in Drosophila to investigate the proteins that help regulate cell adhesion and collective migration.

The screen identified 22 genes with important roles in te**is morphogenesis and revealed new functions for the kinase Par-1 and the Rab GAP RN-tre, helping expand our understanding of how cell-cell junctions support different types of tissue organization and movement.

Read the research:
https://www.molbiolcell.org/doi/10.1091/mbc.E26-05-0234

10/16/2026

From MBoC: How do cells know when it’s time to remove proteins that control cell division?

Researchers have identified a molecular switch that helps precisely time the degradation of E2F7 and E2F8, proteins that regulate cell cycle gene expression.

The study shows how the opposing activities of Cdk1 and PP2A control when these proteins are recognized for degradation, helping reset the cell’s transcriptional program as it exits mitosis and enters G1.

Read “Cdk1 and PP2A constitute a molecular switch controlling orderly degradation of atypical E2Fs”:
https://www.molbiolcell.org/doi/10.1091/mbc.E26-07-0323

10/16/2026

How early do immune cells emerge during vertebrate development?

In well-studied vertebrate models, immune cells first appear during somitogenesis. But research in annual killifish uncovered something unexpected: differentiated neutrophils appearing before gastrulation.

Join ASCB on October 28 at 11:00 am ET to explore this surprising developmental trajectory and what it could teach us about the origins of vertebrate immune cells.

Free for ASCB members and nonmembers.

Register:

Across well-studied vertebrate models, immune cells first emerge during somitogenesis, well after gastrulation has established the first three embryonic tissues. Our investigation of annual killifish – an emerging model organism adapted to ephemeral ponds that dry seasonally – revealed a strikin...

10/15/2026

Scientific excellence deserves recognition.

Congratulations to Hiromi Sesaki of Johns Hopkins University on being elected a 2026 ASCB Fellow.

ASCB is proud to recognize Dr. Sesaki for a career that exemplifies scientific excellence, leadership, and service to the cell biology community.

Learn more:
https://www.ascb.org/society-news/fifteen-visionary-scientists-named-2026-ascb-fellows/