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Li Zhao recalls a 2006 paper by Levine et al. that, by identifying a handful of de novo genes, outlined a potentially universal process of de novo gene birth and propelled forward this field of research.
Legnini et al. report in Nature Methods their new optogenetic method for controlling gene expression in organoids that can be coupled with single-cell and spatial transcriptomics.
Guhlin et al. sequenced the genomes of almost the entire extant population of the critically-endangered kākāpō, revealing genetic variants for fitness-related traits that can inform conservation strategies.
Luis Barreiro highlights a 2007 paper by Tishkoff et al. that identified genetic variants associated with lactose persistence in East African populations, representing one of the first examples of convergent evolution in humans.
In this Comment, Ahmad Abou Tayoun advocates for studies inclusive of historically under-represented populations to ensure equitable global access to genomic newborn screening.
Marnie Blewitt highlights the visionary 1961 paper by Mary Lyon in which she proposed that dosage compensation in female mammals involves X-inactivation and recognized its implications for sex-specific phenotypes in X-linked disorders.
Breda et al. developed a method for gene editing bone marrow cells in vivo, circumventing the need for toxic conditioning regimens such as chemotherapy or radiation.
In April 2023, leading experts met with members of US Congress to discuss strategies to ensure global food security. Following on from this, Pamela Ronald emphasizes the role that plant genetics has in achieving these goals.
Two studies published in Nature investigate the genetic mechanisms of sex bias in cancers and implicate Y chromosome genes in contributing to the aggressiveness of bladder cancer and colorectal cancer in men.
Jacobs et al. report in Science that different co-repressors repress the transcriptional activity of different subsets of enhancers associated with genes of different function.
Leon Mutesa highlights a 2009 article by Yehuda and Bierer that considered the relevance of epigenetic mechanisms to post-traumatic stress disorder, which inspired his own research on the importance of DNA methylation changes in trauma survivors.
A study in Nature reports a strong association between asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections and the HLA-B*15:01 allele and reveals mechanistic insights into its protective effect.
Liang et al. report in Nature that complementary Alu sequences allow an enhancer to find its cognate promoter over long distances, potentially through the formation of RNA duplexes.
Fay-Wei Li recalls a 1966 paper by Klekowski and Baker, who built on their observation that homosporous pteridophytes have many more chromosomes than heterosporous lineages to generate hypotheses on the evolutionary impact of polyploidy.
Single-cell omics approaches are providing unprecedented insights into cellular function and dysfunction. This Editorial highlights the remarkable potential of these technologies and their profound impact on our understanding of biology and disease.
