RNA world: let-7 nips translation in the bud | PDF (212 KB)

p649 | doi:10.1038/nrg2197

Developmental biology: Bicoid gradient tried and tested | PDF (533 KB)

p650 | doi:10.1038/nrg2189

Plant genomics: Variation patterns | PDF (227 KB)

p650 | doi:10.1038/nrg2198

Evolution: How small change makes a big difference | PDF (508 KB)

p652 | doi:10.1038/nrg2180

Chromosome biology: Damage takes control | PDF (508 KB)

p652 | doi:10.1038/nrg2183

Developmental biology: Inside tubes | PDF (370 KB)

p654 | doi:10.1038/nrg2181

Technology: (Truly) on and off at the flick of a switch | PDF (370 KB)

p654 | doi:10.1038/nrg2184

Human genetics: Genome-wide association for HIV | PDF (242 KB)

p655 | doi:10.1038/nrg2190

Technology: On the trail of transcription factors | PDF (227 KB)

p655 | doi:10.1038/nrg2191

Genome–wide association studies provide new insights into type 2 diabetes aetiology

Timothy M. Frayling

p657 | doi:10.1038/nrg2178

Type 2 diabetes has been described as a geneticist's nightmare. Following a recent spate of impressive results from genome-wide association studies, the author looks at how they have advanced our understanding of this disease and informed future use of this approach towards identifying genetic variants in general.

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• Supplementary information

The Decapentaplegic morphogen gradient: from pattern formation to growth regulation

Markus Affolter & Konrad Basler

p663 | doi:10.1038/nrg2166

The authors use the well-studied example of Decapentaplegic (DPP) to illustrate key aspects of the morphogen concept. They discuss the well-established role of DPP in pattern formation as well as models for its less understood role in growth regulation.

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Mechanistic approaches to the study of evolution: the functional synthesis

Antony M. Dean & Joseph W. Thornton

p675 | doi:10.1038/nrg2160

The authors argue that a new approach, the functional synthesis, which combines evolutionary analyses of gene sequences with molecular biology experiments, opens new avenues to the study of the evolution of gene function and provides answers to some long-standing questions about evolutionary processes.

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The evolution of sex-biased genes and sex-biased gene expression

Hans Ellegren & John Parsch

p689 | doi:10.1038/nrg2167

Most of the differences between males and females are due to differences in expression levels of certain genes. These genes have several interesting properties, such as rapid sequence evolution and an odd distribution across the genome.

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Integrating physical and genetic maps: from genomes to interaction networks

Andreas Beyer, Sourav Bandyopadhyay & Trey Ideker

p699 | doi:10.1038/nrg2144

Integrating physical and genetic interaction data is essential if we are to fully understand cellular networks. The classification of interactions beyond the simple physical versus genetic divide promises to accelerate progress, as illustrated by recent successes in network integration.

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Translation matters: protein synthesis defects in inherited disease

Gert C. Scheper, Marjo S. van der Knaap & Christopher G. Proud

p711 | doi:10.1038/nrg2142

Numerous inherited diseases, with a surprisingly diverse range of phenotypes, are being found to arise from mutations that affect translation. Studies of these diseases are beginning to provide new insights into the functions of the protein synthesis machinery and its regulators.

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