Outlook

Epigeneticists are harnessing genome-editing technologies to tackle a central question hanging over the community — does their field matter?

Genome-editing presents many opportunities. But the advent of human-germline editing brings urgency to ethical discussions, says Jennifer Doudna.

Rather than emphasize risks that are not entirely new, talks about germline editing should focus more on the benefits, argues George Church.

Tim Lu's synthetic-biology research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge combines biological engineering with electronics and computer science to create bacteria that make structural proteins containing tiny semi-conductors called quantum dots. He explains how genome-editing techniques are furthering his research and their role in treating disease.

Although yet to complete clinical trials, genome editing has already shown promise against a globally important disease.

Genome editing allows much smaller changes to be made to DNA compared with conventional genetic engineering. In terms of agriculture, this might win over public and regulator opinion.

Although treatments for breast cancer have come a long way over the past few generations, researchers are still puzzling over some tough questions.

Mutations in BRCA genes predispose women to cancer, but outside influences shape the ultimate risk.

Mammogram screenings are an established part of women's health care, but are they more trouble than they are worth?

Technology is allowing researchers to generate vast amounts of information about tumours. The next step is to use this genomic data to transform patient care.

Breast cancer, one of the most common and deadly malignancies, has undoubtedly plagued humans since the dawn of our species. The history of the fight against the disease is one of lurching progress against a backdrop of misery. But recent decades have seen greatly improved treatments and increased survival. By Will Tauxe.

Reliable markers could eliminate surgery and radiation therapy for many women diagnosed with a type of cancer that often does not progress beyond its non-invasive form.

Screening mammograms catch some cancers that pose little threat. Alexandra Barratt explains why she may decide to skip the scans.

Targeting the immune system to fight breast cancer was all but dismissed in the 1990s, but the strategy is making a big comeback with the possibility of a breast-cancer vaccine.

A push to expand the success of a pair of antibody-based drugs is buying some women years of freedom from breast cancer.

Gathering and understanding the deluge of biomedical research and health data poses huge challenges. But this work is rapidly changing the face of medicine.

The effort to catalogue proteins goes deeper in a push to make genetics research deliver practical benefits.

Big data's war on cancer is still in the early stages, but the front line is advancing.