2008—down, but not out - p113

Walter Yang

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-113

Full Text - 2008—down, but not out | PDF (302 KB) - 2008—down, but not out

Glial cells on the radar - pp114 - 116

Cormac Sheridan

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-114

Long thought of as passive bystanders, glial cells are coming under increasing scrutiny as mediators of inflammatory disease in the nervous system. Now, some drug makers are hoping they can be targeted pharmacologically. Cormac Sheridan reports.

Abstract - | Full Text - Glial cells on the radar | PDF (249 KB) - Glial cells on the radar

Avoiding the obvious - pp117 - 119

Sherry L Murphy & Kenneth D Sibley

doi:10.1038/bioe.2008.12

PDF (123 KB) - Avoiding the obvious

The next generation - p120

Fern Wickson

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-120a

Full Text - The next generation | PDF (378 KB) - The next generation

The next generation - pp120 - 121

Justin Chakma

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-120b

Full Text - The next generation | PDF (435 KB) - The next generation | Supplementary information

Gunvalson and PTC Therapeutics' community outreach - pp121 - 122

Stuart W Peltz

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-121

Full Text - Gunvalson and PTC Therapeutics' community outreach | PDF (670 KB) - Gunvalson and PTC Therapeutics' community outreach

DNA sequence patents are not in the grave yet - p122

Robert Cook-Deegan & Arti K Rai

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-122

Full Text - DNA sequence patents are not in the grave yet | PDF (613 KB) - DNA sequence patents are not in the grave yet

A lifeline for the biotech sector - pp123 - 124

Mark Kessel

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-123

With many small biotech companies teetering at the edge of a financial precipice, the US government should act swiftly to enact tax benefits allowing a refund of net operating losses.

Abstract - | Full Text - A lifeline for the biotech sector | PDF (452 KB) - A lifeline for the biotech sector

Charting a course through a perfect storm - pp125 - 127

Arthur Klausner

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-125

A venture capitalist gives his perspective on the outlook for life sciences ventures amid the perfect storm of the current economic downturn.

Abstract - | Full Text - Charting a course through a perfect storm | PDF (283 KB) - Charting a course through a perfect storm

The bioentrepreneur's road map - p128

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-128

Full Text - The bioentrepreneur's road map | PDF (256 KB) - The bioentrepreneur's road map

Proprietary science, open science and the role of patent disclosure: the case of zinc-finger proteins - pp140 - 144

Subhashini Chandrasekharan, Sapna Kumar, Cory M Valley & Arti Rai

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-140

A closer look at the large patent estate now covering both the engineering and use of zinc-finger proteins.

Abstract - | Full Text - Proprietary science, open science and the role of patent disclosure: the case of zinc-finger proteins | PDF (339 KB) - Proprietary science, open science and the role of patent disclosure: the case of zinc-finger proteins | Supplementary information

Recent patent applications in gene expression - p145

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-145

Full Text - Recent patent applications in gene expression | PDF (57 KB) - Recent patent applications in gene expression

Understanding genome browsing - pp153 - 155

Melissa S Cline & W James Kent

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-153

How can genome browsers help researchers to infer biological knowledge from data that might be misleading?

Abstract - | Full Text - Understanding genome browsing | PDF (956 KB) - Understanding genome browsing | Supplementary information

Protein promiscuity and its implications for biotechnology - pp157 - 167

Irene Nobeli, Angelo D Favia & Janet M Thornton

doi:10.1038/nbt1519

Abstract - | Full Text - Protein promiscuity and its implications for biotechnology | PDF (815 KB) - Protein promiscuity and its implications for biotechnology

Transgenic mice with defined combinations of drug-inducible reprogramming factors - pp169 - 171

Styliani Markoulaki, Jacob Hanna, Caroline Beard, Bryce W Carey, Albert W Cheng, Christopher J Lengner, Jessica A Dausman, Dongdong Fu, Qing Gao, Su Wu, John P Cassady & Rudolf Jaenisch

doi:10.1038/nbt.1520

The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells might be improved by replacing the reprogramming transgenes with small molecules. To provide cells suitable for small-molecule screening, Markoulaki et al. segregate the transgenes Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc through breeding, creating mice carrying all possible combinations of the four factors.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Transgenic mice with defined combinations of drug-inducible reprogramming factors | PDF (404 KB) - Transgenic mice with defined combinations of drug-inducible reprogramming factors | Supplementary information

Antigen-specific human polyclonal antibodies from hyperimmunized cattle - pp173 - 181

Yoshimi Kuroiwa, Poothappillai Kasinathan, Thillainayagen Sathiyaseelan, Jin-an Jiao, Hiroaki Matsushita, Janaki Sathiyaseelan, Hua Wu, Jenny Mellquist, Melissa Hammitt, Julie Koster, Satoru Kamoda, Katsumi Tachibana, Isao Ishida & James M Robl

doi:10.1038/nbt.1521

A reliable supply of antigen-specific human antibodies could be useful for treating many diseases. Kuroiwa et al. use multiple rounds of genetic modification and cloning to generate a calf carrying human immunoglobulin genes and lacking bovine immunoglobulin genes, and show that the hyperimmunized animal produces >2 g/l of antigen-specific human polyclonal antibodies.

Abstract - | Full Text - Antigen-specific human polyclonal antibodies from hyperimmunized cattle | PDF (503 KB) - Antigen-specific human polyclonal antibodies from hyperimmunized cattle | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Echelard

Solution hybrid selection with ultra-long oligonucleotides for massively parallel targeted sequencing - pp182 - 189

Andreas Gnirke, Alexandre Melnikov, Jared Maguire, Peter Rogov, Emily M LeProust, William Brockman, Timothy Fennell, Georgia Giannoukos, Sheila Fisher, Carsten Russ, Stacey Gabriel, David B Jaffe, Eric S Lander & Chad Nusbaum

doi:10.1038/nbt.1523

Gnirke et al. present a bead-based method for capturing sequences of interest in the human genome for massively parallel sequencing. Using long, biotinylated RNA probes to pull down PCR-amplified DNA fragments, they demonstrate sequencing of 2.5 Mbs of exons in 1,900 genes.

Abstract - | Full Text - Solution hybrid selection with ultra-long oligonucleotides for massively parallel targeted sequencing | PDF (763 KB) - Solution hybrid selection with ultra-long oligonucleotides for massively parallel targeted sequencing | Supplementary information

Prediction of high-responding peptides for targeted protein assays by mass spectrometry - pp190 - 198

Vincent A Fusaro, D R Mani, Jill P Mesirov & Steven A Carr

doi:10.1038/nbt.1524

Development of sensitive mass spectrometry–based assays for complex biofluids depends on the ability to identify signature peptides that produce the strongest signals. Fusaro et al. use protein physicochemical properties to predict high-responding peptides in data obtained from complex samples such as plasma.

Abstract - | Full Text - Prediction of high-responding peptides for targeted protein assays by mass spectrometry | PDF (431 KB) - Prediction of high-responding peptides for targeted protein assays by mass spectrometry | Supplementary information

Dynamic modularity in protein interaction networks predicts breast cancer outcome - pp199 - 204

Ian W Taylor, Rune Linding, David Warde-Farley, Yongmei Liu, Catia Pesquita, Daniel Faria, Shelley Bull, Tony Pawson, Quaid Morris & Jeffrey L Wrana

doi:10.1038/nbt.1522

Altered gene expression in tumors has been explored as a prognostic indicator of cancer outcome and treatment efficacy. Taylor et al. extend this approach by analyzing the coordinated expression of 'hub' proteins and their interacting partners as a means of predicting breast cancer prognosis.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Dynamic modularity in protein interaction networks predicts breast cancer outcome | PDF (650 KB) - Dynamic modularity in protein interaction networks predicts breast cancer outcome | Supplementary information

Fear factor - pp206 - 207

Genevive Bjorn

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-206

Job prospects are looking gloomy as the economic downturn runs its course, but there are bright spots for some.

Abstract - | Full Text - Fear factor | PDF (92 KB) - Fear factor

People - p208

doi:10.1038/nbt0209-208

Full Text - People | PDF (90 KB) - People