Table of contents
October 2008 Vol 9 No 10
From the editors
p727 | doi:10.1038/nrg2465
Research Highlights
Human genomics: Which differences make us different? | PDF (141 KB)
p729 | doi:10.1038/nrg2460
Human genomics: Towards a full picture of genomic variation | PDF (149 KB)
p730 | doi:10.1038/nrg2461
Cancer genomics: More than one way.... | PDF (138 KB)
p730 | doi:10.1038/nrg2462
In brief
Gene regulation | Human genomics | Development | Genomics | PDF (128 KB)
p731 | doi:10.1038/nrg2463
Population genetics: Genetic geography | PDF (575 KB)
p732 | doi:10.1038/nrg2456
Epigenetics: Sequence-guided entry for MSL | PDF (132 KB)
p732 | doi:10.1038/nrg2457
Technology: DNA has nowhere to hide | PDF (124 KB)
p733 | doi:10.1038/nrg2458
Transcriptomics: There's nothing abnormal about chimeric RNA | PDF (139 KB)
p734 | doi:10.1038/nrg2459
In brief
Gene regulation | Evolution | Statistical genetics | MicroRNAs | PDF (129 KB)
p734 | doi:10.1038/nrg2464
Reviews
Genetic and genomic analyses of the division of labour in insect societies
Chris R. Smith, Amy L. Toth, Andrew V. Suarez & Gene E. Robinson
p735 | doi:10.1038/nrg2429
Social insects have been so successful because individuals cooperate, bringing direct benefit to the community and indirect benefit to themselves. The genetic and molecular basis of this cooperativity, and of the conflict that often underlies it, is beginning to be uncovered.
Human uniqueness: genome interactions with environment, behaviour and culture
Ajit Varki, Daniel H. Geschwind & Evan E. Eichler
p749 | doi:10.1038/nrg2428
What makes us human? This question can only be approached by integrating disparate disciplines, from molecular comparisons of genetic and genomic differences in humans and close evolutionary relatives, of organ-systems changes, and by considering the influence of the environment and culture.
The genetics of mammalian circadian order and disorder: implications for physiology and disease
Joseph S. Takahashi, Hee-Kyung Hong, Caroline H. Ko & Erin L. McDearmon
p764 | doi:10.1038/nrg2430
Many biological processes are regulated by circadian rhythms, which keep them in time with the Earth's 24-hour light–dark cycle. Elucidating the genetic control of circadian rhythms will help to understand the many diseases that can result when the clock goes wrong.
DNA vaccines: ready for prime time?
Michele A. Kutzler & David B. Weiner
p776 | doi:10.1038/nrg2432
In the past 16 years, there has been much excitement in the area of DNA vaccine development for a range of medical conditions. The recent licensure of DNA vaccines for veterinary use bodes well for applications in humans, in which progress has been slower.
Analysis
MicroRNAs in the Hox network: an apparent link to posterior prevalence
Soraya Yekta, Clifford J. Tabin & David P. Bartel
p789 | doi:10.1038/nrg2400
Hox clusters, which confer axial patterning on bilaterian embryos, also contain microRNAs. This analysis suggests that these microRNAs specifically target the Hox genes that lie to their 3' side, thereby reinforcing the dominance of posterior Hox genes over anterior ones.
Perspectives
Science and society
Disability and genetics in the era of genomic medicine
Jackie Leach Scully
p797 | doi:10.1038/nrg2453
Advances in genomics have implications for how disability is viewed by geneticists and the public alike. Better communication is needed so that the concerns of people with disabilities are taken into account — in terms of clinical applications and the wider societal context.
Timeline
Trends in large-scale mouse mutagenesis: from genetics to functional genomics
Yoichi Gondo
p803 | doi:10.1038/nrg2431
For decades, mutant mice have been used to model human disease and to functionally annotate the mammalian genome. Advances in generating mutants on a large scale — through both forward and reverse genetic approaches — have accelerated progress, as documented by this history of mouse mutagenesis.
