Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11143-w

De novo-designed enzymes use an activated cysteine nucleophile to hydrolyse polypeptide backbones in a sequence-dependent manner.

Nature, Published online: 14 October 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-11167-2

RFdiffusion methods are used to de novo design proteins with water-activating zinc-based active sites adjacent to a peptide substrate binding pocket, yielding highly active, programmable proteases with potential applications in therapeutics, biotechnology and bioremediation.

Nature, Published online: 08 July 2026; doi:10.1038/s41586-026-10712-3

Viscoelastic phase separation is used to fabricate non-collapsible, air-rich networks in high-water-content hydrogels containing silica aerogel beads, allowing air to permeate through the material and enabling a tenfold increase in oxygen permeability over pristine hydrogels.