Biophysics sits at the fascinating intersection where the laws of physics meet the complexity of living systems. This field uses tools like light, electricity, and mechanical forces to decode how cells move, how proteins fold, and how our senses translate the world around us. Rather than just observing biology, biophysicists measure and model life to understand the fundamental machinery that powers every organism.

On Gist.Science, we make these discoveries accessible by curating the latest preprints directly from bioRxiv. Our team processes every new submission in this category, providing both clear, plain-language overviews and detailed technical summaries so readers of all backgrounds can grasp the cutting-edge science. Below are the most recent biophysics papers from bioRxiv, ready for you to explore.

Repetition-controllable gain-managed nonlinear fiber amplifier enables ultrashort, multiphoton imaging with reduced photodamage

The authors present a compact, repetition-controllable gain-managed nonlinear fiber amplifier that delivers high-energy, ultrashort near-infrared pulses to enable versatile, label-free multiphoton imaging of diverse biological samples while demonstrating that lower repetition rates can reduce photodamage.

Read, J., Xu, D., Yan, J., Rawlings, A., Chugh, S., Spalluto, M. C., Elkington, P. T., Kanczler, J., Lane, S. I. R., Mahajan, S., Xu, L.2026-04-24⚛️ biophysics

In silico model of axonal pathfinding during spinal cord regeneration in zebrafish larvae

This study presents an agent-based computational model that successfully simulates and validates the role of transient mechanical stiffness changes in guiding axonal regeneration across spinal cord lesions in zebrafish larvae, offering a valuable in silico platform for investigating regeneration mechanisms.

Neumann, O. F., Kravikass, M., John, N., Ramachandran, R. G., Steinmann, P., Zaburdaev, V., Wehner, D., Budday, S.2026-04-22⚛️ biophysics

Ultra-high field microstructural MRI of living cortical organoids

By leveraging a 28.2 T MRI system and a correlative 3D lightsheet microscopy workflow, this study establishes a non-destructive, high-resolution microstructural imaging platform for living cortical organoids that reveals detailed tissue architecture and maturation dynamics to bridge the gap between preclinical validation and clinical MRI biomarker development.

Nikolaeva, T., Jakobs, C. E., Yon, M., Adolfs, Y., Singer, R., Pasterkamp, R. J., Krug, J. R., Tax, C. M. W.2026-04-22⚛️ biophysics

Simulating Multi-Colour Single-Molecule Localisation Microscopy Using an RGB Camera

This paper demonstrates that RGB cameras offer a cost-effective and scalable solution for high-throughput multi-colour single-molecule localisation microscopy, achieving simultaneous classification of up to six fluorophores with high precision by leveraging intrinsic spectral sensitivity to overcome traditional trade-offs between spectral discrimination, imaging speed, and experimental complexity.

Danial, J., Kelly, A.2026-04-18⚛️ biophysics

Precise Alternation Between Image-Forming Sample Planes Enables Quantitative Monitoring of Receptor-Arrestin Interaction Dynamics at the Plasma Membrane of Live Cells

This study introduces an optical imaging stabilization approach integrating FREVR technology into a multiphoton microscope to achieve high-precision alternation between sample planes, enabling the quantitative monitoring of dynamic receptor-arrestin interactions at the plasma membrane of individual live cells while capturing physiological cell-to-cell variability without the need for signal averaging.

Killeen, T. D., Stoneman, M., Popa, I., Chen, Q., Raicu, V.2026-04-18⚛️ biophysics

A geometric-surface PDE model for cell-nucleus translocation through confinement

This paper introduces a geometric surface partial differential equation (GS-PDE) model to simulate cell-nucleus translocation through confined microchannels, successfully validating the approach against experimental data and identifying surface tension and confinement geometry as critical factors governing migration efficiency.

Ballatore, F., Madzvamuse, A., Jebane, C., Helfer, E., Allena, R.2026-04-17⚛️ biophysics

Ionic strength modulates structural disorder and protein oligomerization in the marginally disordered Phd transcription factor

This study demonstrates that the ionic strength of the environment acts as a conformational rheostat for the marginally disordered Phd transcription factor, modulating its transition from a fully disordered state to a partially ordered monomer and finally to a structured dimer, thereby regulating its function through a spectrum of disorder-to-order states.

Zavrtanik, U., Muruganandam, G., Prolic-Kalinsek, M., Hammerschmid, D., Sobott, F., Volkov, A. N., Loris, R., Hadzi, S.2026-04-17⚛️ biophysics

Topological defects and coherent myocardial chirality shape torsional heart contraction

This study establishes the mammalian heart as a chiral nematic topological material, demonstrating that organized myocardial fibre chirality and specific topological defects are essential for generating efficient torsional contraction, independent of systemic left-right anatomical patterning.

Kawahira, N., Yamamoto, T., Washio, T., Nakajima, Y., Yashiro, K., Xu, V., Kawaguchi, K., Nakano, A.2026-04-16⚛️ biophysics