News & Views in 2011

MicroRNAs offer the most efficient method yet devised for reprogramming somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells.

Sepsis can be ameliorated by small-molecule inhibitors of bacterial sialidases.

Therapeutic angiogenesis is enhanced by coaxing smooth muscle cells to wrap around endothelial-cell tubes.

Increasing auxin levels at the right time and place during ovule and fiber development improves the yield and quality of cotton fibers.

An optical spectroscopy method can measure the affinities of ligands to membrane receptors that are embedded in their native membranes.

A natural system for ferrying RNA between cells is used to transport siRNA to the mouse brain.

Rerouting nitrogen flux in bacteria allows renewable production of biofuels from proteins.

Implantable devices that measure the cumulative release of biomarkers promise new diagnostic options.

Analysis of a test set of cell lines shows that induced pluripotent stem cells perform as well as embryonic stem cells in differentiating to motor neurons.

The affinities of small molecules for proteins in megadalton complexes can be measured by mass spectrometry.

New tools for site-specific genome targeting in human cells are generated from TALE proteins.

Sequencing technologies are poised to transform conventional strategies for crop improvement.

The use of a natural IgG transport system to deliver a mucosal vaccine is a step toward needle-free immunization.

Expressing zinc-finger nucleases in zygotes enables targeted transgene integration in the mouse and rat genomes.

Experimental haplotyping of whole genomes is now feasible, enabling new studies aimed at linking sequence variation to human phenotypes and disease susceptibility.

Screening for safe harbor sites in the genome may improve the safety of gene therapy.