Research highlights

Nature Genetics 42, 737 (2010). doi:10.1038/ng0910-737

Research highlights

Nature Genetics 42, 737 (2010). doi:10.1038/ng0910-737

Variable evolutionary signatures at the heart of enhancers

Nature Genetics 42, 734 (2010). doi:10.1038/ng0910-734

Authors: Ross C Hardison

What is the best way to identify regulatory DNA sequences such as enhancers, promoters, insulators and silencers? A new study shows that specific binding by a coactivator protein identifies enhancers that are invisible to common detection methods based on evolutionary constraint.

Infectious diseases not immune to genome-wide association

Nature Genetics 42, 731 (2010). doi:10.1038/ng0910-731

Authors: Paul I W de Bakker & Amalio Telenti

Two genome-wide association studies for meningococcal disease and tuberculosis identify new loci associated with susceptibility to these infectious diseases. They highlight a role for the acquired and innate immune systems in host control of several human pathogens and demonstrate that denser genotyping platforms and population-specific reference panels are necessary for genetic studies in African populations.

Putting a finger on the switch

Nature Genetics 42, 733 (2010). doi:10.1038/ng0910-733

Authors: James J Bieker

The transition from fetal to adult β-like globin expression is a key step in the maturation of the red blood cell lineage. Two new studies show that the KLF1 zinc finger protein uses direct and indirect means to regulate the final switch from fetal to adult globin expression and that monoallelic loss of KLF1 expression leads to persistence of fetal hemoglobin.

Cite site

Nature Genetics 42, 729 (2010). doi:10.1038/ng0910-729

We now have adapted our preprint archive, Nature Precedings, to host project descriptions, community standards papers and funder policies. Citable project descriptions provide a guide to the resources available and create a mechanism to give data producers citation credit.

An experimental drug called olaparib has been shown to shrink tumours in women whose advanced cancers were caused by faults in their BRCA genes.

Research highlights

Nature Genetics 42, 653 (2010). doi:10.1038/ng0810-653

Using a new, rapid and less expensive DNA sequencing strategy, scientists have discovered genetic alterations that account for most cases of Kabuki syndrome, a rare disorder that causes multiple birth defects and mental retardation.