Special Feature

Method of the Year 2011

Nature Methods' choice for Method of the Year 2011 is genome editing with engineered nucleases. This collection of articles—and the related video—highlights how the ability to use engineered nucleases to make precise, tailored and specific changes to coding and noncoding sequences of the genome, in cells and in organisms of many species, could revolutionize the study of gene function. The Methods to Watch bring together possible future choices for Method of the Year.

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Editorial

Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Method of the Year 2011

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1852

The ability to introduce targeted, tailored changes into the genomes of several species will make it feasible to ask more precise biological questions.


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News Feature

Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Gene-editing nucleases

Monya Baker

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1807

Precise ways to modify the genome arose from unexpected places. Monya Baker reports.


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Primer

Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Primer: genome editing with engineered nucleases

Natalie de Souza

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1848

A brief description of tools for targeted cleavage and tailored modification of genomes is presented.


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Commentary

Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Gene editing: not just for translation anymore

Moira A McMahon, Meghdad Rahdar & Matthew Porteus

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1811

Engineered nucleases have advanced the field of gene therapy with the promise of targeted genome modification as a treatment for human diseases. Here we discuss why engineered nucleases are an exciting research tool for gene editing and consider their applications to a range of biological questions.


Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Zinc-finger nucleases: how to play two good hands

Mark Isalan

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1805

Zinc-finger nuclease dimers are more difficult to engineer than single DNA-binding domains, but the development of new methods could help.


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Methods to Watch

Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Single-cell methods

Natalie de Souza

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1819

Improved single-cell methods are helping to unravel biological complexity.


Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Functional genomic resources

Nicole Rusk

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1820

Tools to manipulate murine genes on a genome-wide scale and to phenotype their effects in animals are maturing.


Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Glycoproteomics

Allison Doerr

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1821

Methods for tackling the enormously complex glycoproteome are sorely needed.


Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Causal mutations in a haploid landscape

Nicole Rusk

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1822

Sequencing a haploid genome and understanding the impact of its variants requires technical and computational improvements.


Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Imaging life with thin sheets of light

Erika Pastrana

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1823

The revival of light-sheet microscopy opens new possibilities for the imaging of living processes.


Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Non–model organisms

Tal Nawy

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1824

Next-generation sequencing is broadening the application of genetic and genomic studies to the panoply of life.


Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

Light-based electrophysiology

Erika Pastrana

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1825

Genetically encoded voltage sensors are finally measuring up.


Special feature: Method of the Year 2011

RNA structures

Petya V Krasteva

doi:10.1038/nmeth.1826

Accurate methods for RNA-structure determination are being developed.


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