Miriam Merad, MD, PhD, an internationally acclaimed immunologist and oncologist, has been awarded the title of Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur [Knight of the Legion of Honor] by the French Republic. The prestigious distinction, presented at the Consulate General of France in New York by the Ambassador of France to the United States, honors Dr. Merad’s groundbreaking contributions to macrophage biology and immunology and her leadership in transforming the landscape of translational research and precision medicine. One of France’s highest civilian honors, the Legion of Honor recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their fields and society at large. Dr. Merad was selected for her visionary research elucidating the role of innate immune cells in cancer and chronic inflammatory disease, as well as her commitment to fostering global scientific collaboration and advancing human health.

This review explores the complex interplay between the microbiome and human aging, highlighting how dysbiosis impacts host physiology and health, particularly in relation to genomic stability and telomere attrition. Recent advances in cellular and molecular biology have underscored the role of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors in human aging, with the microbiome emerging as a key determinant of host physiology and health. Dysbiosis—disruptions in microbiome composition—is linked to various age-related diseases and impacts genomic stability and telomere attrition, the progressive shortening of telomeres that limits cell division and contributes to aging. This review examines how microbiome dynamics influence aging by triggering inflammation, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and metabolic dysfunction, all of which affect two primary hallmarks of aging: genomic instability and telomere attrition. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing targeted interventions to restore microbiome balance and promote healthy aging, offering potential treatments to extend healthspan and alleviate aging-related diseases. The convergence of microbiome and aging research promises transformative insights and new avenues for improving global population well-being.

Using synchrotron X-ray nanotomography with detailed 3D imaging and in-situ mechanical testing, researchers are peering inside shark skeletons at the nanoscale, revealing a microscopic “sharkitecture” that helps these ancient apex predators withstand extreme physical demands of constant motion. After hundreds of millions of years of evolution, scientists can now finally see how shark cartilage works at the nanoscale – and learn from them.

Corals are the architects of reefs throughout tropical seas, providing protection and sustenance for the species that depend on them. Coral reefs protect coastlines from storm surge, put tourist dollars in coffers, and provide cultural richness in the way of food and fishing practices.

The loss of coral ecosystems is a critical problem that has propelled coral scientists into action to save species that may not survive the rapid pace of climate change and environmental degradation.

A recent publication by University of Guam Marine Laboratory scientists, Restoration innovation: Fusing microbial memories to engineer coral resilience, suggests a novel framework that pairs fundamental biology with applied biology to innovate in restoration ecology.

 

Marine Lab scientists have witnessed extreme bleaching events in Guam waters and are on the forefront of coral restoration. With ocean warming trends causing detrimental effects on coral reefs, researchers are working feverishly to unravel the complexities of these marine communities to protect them. They are finding there are massive unknowns in the basic biology of corals.

Fibroblasts play a central role in maintaining healthy tissue structures, as well as in the development and progression of diseases. For a long time, these specialised connective tissue cells were thought to represent a single, uniform cell type. A recent publication by researchers at the University of Leipzig Medical Center shows that fibroblasts in human tissue actually consist of distinct populations with specialised functions. This heterogeneity is key to developing targeted therapies in regenerative medicine and in the treatment of diseases. The findings have been published in the renowned journal Nature Cell Biology.