T reg induction by a rationally selected mixture of Clostridia strains from the human microbiota

Atarashi, K. et al. Nature http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature12331 (10 July)

The authors selected 17 strains of bacteria from the human microbiota that could induce Treg cells, showing that all these strains were Clostridia. Oral administration of a combination of the strains improved disease in mouse models of colitis.

Generation of inner ear sensory epithelia from pluripotent stem cells in 3D culture

Koehler, K.R. et al. Nature http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature12298 (10 July)

This study describes a new in vitro model of inner ear differentiation for investigating inner ear development and disorders that uses three-dimensional culture of mouse embryonic stem cells.

Evidence for APOBEC3B mutagenesis in multiple human cancers

Burns, M.B. et al. Nat. Genet. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ng.2701 (14 July)

An APOBEC cytidine deaminase mutagenesis pattern is widespread in human cancers

Roberts, S.A. et al. Nat. Genet. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ng.2702 (14 July)

Two new studies analyse the role of APOBEC cytidine deaminases, which are involved in RNA editing and retrovirus or retrotransponson restriction, in human cancers. The reports provide evidence that APOBEC-mediated mutagenesis is prevalent in many cancers and suggest that these mutations are functionally linked to cancer development.

Exosomes mediate the cell-to-cell transmission of IFN-α-induced antiviral activity

Li, J. et al. Nat. Immunol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ni.2647 (7 July)

The authors report a new mechanism by which interferon-α (IFN-α) exerts an antiviral response to hepatitis B virus. IFN-a stimulates the release of exosomes containing antiviral molecules from nonpermissive liver cells to permissive hepatocytes.

The fat mass and obesity associated gene ( Fto ) regulates activity of the dopaminergic midbrain circuitry

Hess, M.E. et al. Nat. Neurosci. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nn.3449 (30 June)

The authors show that FTO affects the activity and function of midbrain dopaminergic neurons and reward-related behaviors in mice.