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In addition to the core hypoxic transcriptional pathway, several mechanisms exist to allow transcriptional diversity and specificity. This Review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms and factors that contribute to the tailoring of the appropriate hypoxic transcriptional response.
Recent transcriptomic studies have revealed that diverse small RNAs are transcribed from the regions around gene promoters. This Review considers questions prompted by the discovery of these transcripts; for example, what is their origin and are they functional?
Vertebrate limb development is a classic developmental model. In this Review the authors discuss how existing models of this process might be integrated and might form a framework for a systems approach to understanding organogenesis.
The article highlights how the process of engineering biological systems has contributed to our understanding of how endogenous systems are put together and function — from a quantitative description of gene expression and signal transduction to controlling spatial organization and cell–cell interactions.
Results from genome-wide association studies support the view that qualitative disorders can be interpreted as being the extremes of quantitative dimensions. Research on quantitative traits could have far-reaching implications for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the problematic extremes of these traits.
Four leading researchers contribute their personal opinions on recent progress and current challenges in induced pluripotent stem cell research. Their varied perspectives suggest that for clinical applications there is cause for optimism, tempered with caution, and they highlight exciting recent advances in reprogramming and differentiation.