Core Insights - This week, four research papers authored by Chinese scholars were published in the prestigious journal Cell, covering topics such as mitochondrial influence on pluripotency, a multimodal genetic screening platform, anti-aging mesenchymal progenitor cell therapy, and a key switch in complement protein attack [1][2][3][4]. Group 1: Mitochondrial Influence on Pluripotency - A study led by Professor Wu Jun from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center developed a new technique for enforced mitophagy, revealing the impact of mitochondria on cell pluripotency and demonstrating that reduced mitochondrial numbers delay pre-implantation mouse embryo development [3]. Group 2: Perturb-Multi Genetic Screening Platform - Professor Zhuang Xiaowei from Harvard University introduced Perturb-Multi, a novel platform that combines imaging and sequencing technologies to enable parallel perturbation of hundreds of genes in intact mammalian tissues, facilitating the discovery of genetic bases for complex cellular and tissue physiology [7]. Group 3: Anti-Aging Mesenchymal Progenitor Cell Therapy - Researchers Liu Guanghui, Wang Si, and Qu Jing from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Capital Medical University developed engineered human anti-aging mesenchymal progenitor cells (SRC) that exhibit resistance to aging, stress, and malignant transformation, significantly delaying multi-organ aging in primate models [11]. Group 4: Key Switch in Complement Protein Attack - A study by Zhicheng Wang from the University of Pennsylvania focused on the complement system, identifying a critical parameter—the surface density of potential complement attachment sites—that triggers a significant increase in complement activation, providing insights for the design of long-lasting drug carriers and biocompatible implants [15][17].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the potential role of fur animals in the transmission of coronaviruses to humans, highlighting a recent study that identifies a mink coronavirus (MRCoV) that uses the ACE2 receptor for cell entry, similar to SARS-CoV-2 [1][2][5]. Group 1: Research Findings - A new type of mink respiratory coronavirus (MRCoV) was isolated from farmed minks suffering from pneumonia, which uses the ACE2 receptor to infect mink, bats, monkeys, and human cells [2][5]. - The study revealed that despite structural differences in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of MRCoV compared to SARS-CoV-2, they share the same binding site on the ACE2 receptor [5]. - The research identified key determinants on ACE2 and MRCoV RBD that confer efficient binding capabilities, indicating a potential for cross-species transmission [5]. Group 2: Implications and Urgency - The findings underscore the need for enhanced monitoring of fur animal farms as reservoirs for emerging pathogens, emphasizing the urgency to mitigate future coronavirus outbreaks [5]. - The study suggests that protease inhibitors and polymerase inhibitors effective against SARS-CoV-2 can also block MRCoV infection, revealing a potential therapeutic strategy [5].