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The amount of genome-scale data on covalent histone modification patterns is rapidly increasing. This Review brings together current knowledge on how modification 'signatures' relate to the structure and function of chromatin, from regulatory elements and gene structure to organization in the nucleus.
To achieve their diverse regulatory functions, specific small RNA strands need to pair with the correct Argonaute protein partners. This Review discusses the recent substantial progress in understanding how small RNA sorting occurs in animals and plants.
Biases in synonymous codon usage are pervasive across taxa, genomes and genes, and understanding their causes has implications for molecular evolution and biotechnology. This article assesses the competing models for codon bias, in light of genome-scale and high-throughput data.
During development, boundaries between groups of cells that express different genes need to be established and maintained so that tissues can be patterned. This Review discusses the range of mechanisms — from feedback loops to physical forces — that have emerged as important for developmental boundaries.
Diseases are increasingly being found to reflect the perturbations of complex molecular networks. The principles of network medicine are being used to identify new disease genes, determine the functional significance of disease-associated mutations, and identify new drug targets and biomarkers.