Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
Mutations that affect the MECP2 protein, which binds methylated DNA, cause the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome. Exciting advances are being made in understanding how MECP2 defects affect the interpretation of DNA methylation marks to cause specific disease phenotypes.
Effective gene drive systems for spreading genes that can block the transmission of insect-borne pathogens are much needed. Naturally occurring selfish genetic elements have enormous potential that can be exploited to control of some of the world's most devastating diseases.
Although an abundance of candidate genes have been highlighted as possible determinants of human longevity, only one finding has been replicated. Larger and longer-running studies, careful consideration of study design, and improved analyses hold the key to future progress.
Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are often thought of as Mendelian, but are in fact good examples of multifactorial traits. Advances in IEM diagnosis and management lie in combining dynamic measurements of metabolic flux with a range of omics data.
Increasing evidence indicates that ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling has specific and tightly controlled functions in the regulation of gene expression during mammalian differentiation. Recent studies also link chromatin-remodelling activities to other key events in the differentiation process.
Many of the already characterized non-coding RNAs, including small interfering RNAs, microRNAs and small nucleolar RNAs, guide or target RNP complexes to specific nucleic-acid sequences. How did such chimeric RNA–protein enzymes evolve? And why are they common in some but not other organisms?
The ability to integrate data from different sources is crucial in many areas of biological research, particularly systems biology. This article argues that problems with life-science databases are holding back research, and proposes some practical solutions.
