Transcription factors are critical regulators of gene expression, but they have long been considered "undruggable" due to their lack of deep, well-defined binding pockets and their high degree of intrinsic disorder. To overcome this, UC Berkeley researchers have developed a new class of covalent monovalent degraders that utilize chemoproteomic platforms to target and eliminate these proteins. Unlike traditional inhibitors that must compete with natural ligands for a binding site, these compounds form a permanent covalent bond with specific, often disordered cysteine residues on the target transcription factor. This interaction induces structural destabilization of the protein, triggering its recognition and subsequent destruction by the cell's ubiquitin-proteasome system. This platform has already successfully produced potent degraders for major oncogenic drivers such as $\beta$-catenin (CTNNB1), MYC, and the androgen receptor variant AR-V7.

Biological systems naturally synthesize precise, sequence-defined polymers—proteins and nucleic acids—that perform a staggering array of functions. However, the chemical diversity of these polymers is limited by the set of twenty canonical $\alpha$-amino acids. To overcome this limitation, researchers at UC Berkeley have pioneered a method for the programmed biosynthesis of heteropolymers with expanded backbones. By engineering orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRS), such as variants of the pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase, the system can charge tRNAs with non-natural $\beta 2$-backbone substrates. These substrates are then incorporated by the ribosome into a growing polymer chain in vivo. This breakthrough allows for the creation of sequence-defined biomaterials that possess structural and chemical properties far beyond those of traditional proteins, including enhanced stability and novel folding patterns.

Addressing the global opioid crisis requires innovative pharmacological solutions that decouple effective pain relief from lethal side effects. Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a suite of novel morphine framework derivatives engineered with a modified molecular skeleton to alter their bioactivity profiles significantly. Unlike traditional opioids, these derivatives are designed to interact with receptors in a way that provides potent analgesia while bypassing the pathways responsible for respiratory depression and addiction. Furthermore, certain variants within this framework exhibit antagonistic properties that could serve as a powerful alternative to naloxone for reversing opioid overdoses.

Targeted protein degradation represents a transformative approach in drug discovery by using small molecules to hijack the cell's natural disposal machinery. In this advancement, UC Berkeley researchers have engineered a vinylsulfonyl covalent handle designed for the rational construction of monovalent degraders. Unlike traditional bivalent degraders (PROTACs), which can be large and difficult to deliver into cells, these monovalent molecules are more compact and specifically target a cysteine residue within DCAF16, a substrate receptor of the CUL4-DDB1 E3 ubiquitin ligase. By covalently "gluing" the target protein to DCAF16, the system triggers the ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal destruction of disease-causing proteins.

Developing structurally complex peptide macrocycles is a critical strategy for addressing "undruggable" protein-protein interactions. To expand the chemical space available for drug discovery, UC Berkeley researchers have developed a versatile synthesis method that embeds quinoline and other heterocycles directly into the macrocyclic backbone. The approach utilizes substituted 2-aminocarbonyl co-substrates to produce peptide hybrids featuring biaryl atropisomeric axes. These axes provide a unique form of axial chirality that can be engineered to be either conformationally mobile or stable, allowing for the precise three-dimensional "locking" of the peptide into a target-optimal shape. By integrating these rigid pharmacophores, the resulting macrocycles achieve enhanced topological diversity and superior binding affinity compared to traditional cyclic peptides.

This technology introduces a field-effect transistor (FET) designed with a ferroelectric (FE) material layer integrated directly into the gate-insulating stack. Developed by researchers at UC Berkeley, the device is distinguished by its ability to exhibit tunable negative differential resistance (NDR) within its output characteristics while remaining fully compatible with standard CMOS manufacturing processes. The device operates by manipulating the electrical polarization of the FE layer; at low drain-to-source voltage ($V_{DS}$), the positive polarization maintains a low threshold voltage ($V_{th}$), allowing current to increase. However, as $V_{DS}$ rises beyond a specific level, the polarization reduces and eventually flips, causing a sudden surge in $V_{th}$ and a corresponding rapid decrease in current. This unique transition creates an NDR region where the drain current drops even as the drain voltage increases, offering new possibilities for high-speed switching and compact circuit design.

As the demand for higher memory density in modern computing continues to grow, traditional static memory architectures face physical scaling limits. To address this, UC Berkeley researchers have developed a novel static memory bit-cell that utilizes negative differential resistance (NDR) ferroelectric field-effect transistor (FeFET) devices. By exploiting the specific NDR characteristics inherent in these FeFETs, a stable binary data latch can be formed using as few as two devices, providing a path toward significantly more compact storage than standard SRAM cells. The design further incorporates a transfer FET to manage reading and writing functions, offering a streamlined circuit that reduces complexity while maintaining high performance.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a multilayer coating designed to increase photosynthetically active radiation transmission while reflecting near-infrared light to reduce heat in controlled agricultural environments.