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This Review provides an overview of different approaches for measuring nascent RNA synthesis. It discusses the complementary strengths of these different methods and how they have contributed to a mechanistic understanding of transcription regulation.
In eukaryotes, circular RNAs (circRNAs) carry out important biological roles by acting as microRNA or protein sponges, regulating protein function or through cap-independent translation. New technologies for identifying and characterizing circRNAs will increase our knowledge of their biogenesis and function in health and disease.
Two recent studies report innovative RNA base editing tools: adenine editing without the requirement for exogenous enzymes, and a new ability to edit cytosines.
A study in Nature Ecology and Evolution reports the genome sequence of the Komodo dragon and describes genomic features that may underlie its distinct physiology.
A study in Nature Genetics shows that genomic rearrangements that cause extensive changes to chromatin topology do not alter expression for the majority of genes.
The cGAS–STING pathway forms a major DNA-sensing mechanism in mammalian cells. This Review summarizes the current knowledge of cGAS–STING signalling and regulation, highlighting emerging evidence of its role in monogenic inflammatory diseases and cancer and new therapeutic opportunities.
This Review discusses advances in RNA-sequencing technologies and methods over the past decade and outlines adaptations that are enabling a fuller understanding of RNA biology, from when and where an RNA is expressed to the structures it adopts.
A recent study in Science demonstrates how capturing gene expression over a developmental time course enables the discovery of dynamic expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) that would otherwise be challenging to find.
Genomic studies often rely on individual-based consent approaches for tribal members residing outside of their communities. Tsosie et al. argue that this consent model fails to acknowledge the risks to small groups such as tribes, which can implicate the community as a whole.
Earth’s landscapes and biodiversity are being eroded at an unprecedented pace and scale. This Review argues that genomics tools need to be adopted in restoration ecology to help reverse the environmental destruction caused by humans.
A study in Nature emphasizes that the diversity of genetic ancestries represented by large-scale genomic studies needs to be increased in order to ensure that their findings — and any resulting advances in health care — are relevant to everyone, regardless of ethnicity.
New research in Cell describes the technique of ‘DNA microscopy’, in which the spatial distribution of mRNAs is inferred through sequencing DNA tags, without direct visualization.
A study in Nature Methods describes a light-activated dynamic looping (LADL) system, which consists of a synthetic architectural protein that rapidly induces long-range chromatin interactions in response to blue light.
In most human genes, RNA 3ʹ end cleavage and polyadenylation can occur at multiple, alternative sites, enabling the expression of distinct transcripts. Novel techniques to sequence RNA 3ʹ ends, coupled with innovative computational methods for studying the list of polyadenylation sites that they generate, have uncovered the roles of alternative cleavage and polyadenylation in both health and disease.
A study in Genome Biology reports an unbiased screen for human genomic regions at which interindividual variation in DNA methylation is consistent across cell types and tissues, providing new targets for studying epigenetic links to disease.
Global genomic diversity can provide new opportunities for discovery and translation into therapies, as well as a better understanding of population disease risks. This Review considers the value of examining diverse populations to better understand genetic contributors to disease risk and trait variation.
