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This Review distinguishes between three distinct routes by which similar genetic changes contribute to convergent evolution and discusses examples from diverse taxa. Convergent genetic evolution might result from the fact that some mutations both minimize pleiotropic effects and maximize adaptation.
There is an increasing realization of epigenetic dysregulation in cancer, which comprises both the mutation of genes encoding epigenetic regulators and the broader disruptions to chromatin states of the epigenome. This Review discusses our latest understanding of these phenomena, their convergence and the implications for cancer biology and therapeutics.
New tools for plant biotechnology are emerging, including synthetic promoters, 'tunable' transcription factors, genome-editing tools and site-specific recombinases. These tools promise to expand the range of plant biotechnology applications, especially when integrated with approaches for manipulating large DNA constructs.
Genetic exchanges between homologous chromosomes are essential for producing haploid gametes and increase genetic diversity. Recent advances have provided insights into the mechanisms that specify recombination hot spots and the regulation of the exchange of genetic material between mammalian chromosomes.
Populations of many species show phenotypic adaptations in order to maximize their fitness in local environments. This Review describes various strategies for characterizing the genomic underpinnings of these adaptations and the key findings that are emerging.
