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Open Access
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Article |
Base-editing mutagenesis maps alleles to tune human T cell functions
Massive-scale mutational screening across 385 genes reveals a wide spectrum of alleles that govern tunable T cell functions, including cytokine production and cytotoxicity.
- Ralf Schmidt
- , Carl C. Ward
- & Alexander Marson
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Article
| Open AccessCell-type-directed design of synthetic enhancers
Deep learning models were used to design synthetic cell-type-specific enhancers that work in fruit fly brains and human cell lines, an approach that also provides insights into these gene regulatory elements.
- Ibrahim I. Taskiran
- , Katina I. Spanier
- & Stein Aerts
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Article
| Open AccessTargeted design of synthetic enhancers for selected tissues in the Drosophila embryo
Deep learning and transfer learning were used to design tissue-specific enhancers in the Drosophila embryo that were active and specific, validating this approach to achieve tissue-, cell type- and cell state-specific expression control.
- Bernardo P. de Almeida
- , Christoph Schaub
- & Alexander Stark
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News |
How CRISPR gene editing could help treat Alzheimer’s
Some researchers hoping that gene-editing technology can conquer forms of Alzheimer’s caused by genetic mutations.
- Tosin Thompson
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News |
CRISPR 2.0: a new wave of gene editors heads for clinical trials
Landmark approval of the first CRISPR therapy paves the way for treatments based on more efficient and more precise genome editors.
- Heidi Ledford
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News & Views |
An expanded genomic database for identifying disease-related variants
An expanded version of a human-genome database called gnomAD, containing 76,156 whole-genome sequences, has enabled investigation of how variants in non-protein-coding regions of the genome affect health.
- Ryan S. Dhindsa
- & Slavé Petrovski
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Article |
A genomic mutational constraint map using variation in 76,156 human genomes
A genomic constraint map for the human genome constructed using data from 76,156 human genomes from the Genome Aggregation Database shows that non-coding constrained regions are enriched for regulatory elements and variants associated with complex diseases and traits.
- Siwei Chen
- , Laurent C. Francioli
- & Konrad J. Karczewski
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Article
| Open AccessA human embryonic limb cell atlas resolved in space and time
Using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, human embryonic limb development across space and time and the diversification and cross-species conservation of cells are demonstrated.
- Bao Zhang
- , Peng He
- & Sarah A. Teichmann
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Article |
Genetic risk converges on regulatory networks mediating early type 2 diabetes
Integration of multiomics data with functional analysis of pancreatic tissues from individuals with early-stage type 2 diabetes indicates that the genetic risk converges on RFX6, which regulates chromatin architecture at multiple risk loci.
- John T. Walker
- , Diane C. Saunders
- & Marcela Brissova
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Obituary |
Evelyn Fox Keller (1936–2023), philosopher who questioned gender roles in science
Mathematical biologist, philosopher and historian of science who challenged the vision of science as a masculine activity.
- Marga Vicedo
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News |
World’s biggest set of human genome sequences opens to scientists
The whole genomes of 500,000 people in the UK Biobank will help researchers to probe our genetic code for links to disease.
- Ewen Callaway
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Research Briefing |
The genetic diversity of Bantu-speaking populations helped to shape African history
Analysis of a massive genomic data set reveals the profound effects that the movement of Bantu-speaking peoples had on Africa’s biological, linguistic and cultural landscape. These findings provide valuable insights for a wide range of disciplines and serve as a comprehensive data set of ancient and modern African individuals for comparative studies.
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Research Briefing |
Whole-genome alignment with primates reveals DNA elements conserved in humans
By comparing DNA sequences across hundreds of species of primates and other mammals, an analysis identifies non-coding regulatory elements that are conserved only in primates and that could have important roles in complex traits and diseases in humans.
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News & Views |
An immune-cell transcription factor tethers DNA together
A transcription factor in immune cells forms an unexpectedly ladder-like complex with two DNA molecules, allowing the expression of genes that these cells need to suppress harmful immune responses.
- Zhi Liu
- & Ye Zheng
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Article
| Open AccessMSL2 ensures biallelic gene expression in mammals
After loss of MSL2, a class of dosage-sensitive genes transitions from biallelic to monoallelic expression, whereby one allele remains active, retaining active histone modifications and transcription factor binding, and the other allele is silenced, exhibiting loss of promoter–enhancer contacts and the acquisition of DNA methylation.
- Yidan Sun
- , Meike Wiese
- & Asifa Akhtar
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Article
| Open AccessIdentification of constrained sequence elements across 239 primate genomes
Whole-genome alignment of 239 primate species reveals noncoding regulatory elements that are under selective constraint in primates but not in other placental mammals, that are enriched for variants that affect human gene expression and complex traits in diseases.
- Lukas F. K. Kuderna
- , Jacob C. Ulirsch
- & Kyle Kai-How Farh
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Article
| Open AccessThe genetic legacy of the expansion of Bantu-speaking peoples in Africa
We gathered genetic data for 1,763 individuals from 147 populations across 14 African countries, and 12 Late Iron Age individuals, to trace the expansion of Bantu-speaking peoples over the past 6,000 years.
- Cesar A. Fortes-Lima
- , Concetta Burgarella
- & Carina M. Schlebusch
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Nature Podcast |
Audio long read: Apple revival — how science is bringing historic varieties back to life
Genomic studies of heirloom apples could help safeguard the future of the fruit.
- Christopher Kemp
- & Benjamin Thompson
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News |
‘Treasure trove’ of new CRISPR systems holds promise for genome editing
An algorithm that can analyse hundreds of millions of genetic sequences has identified DNA-cutting genes and enzymes that are extremely rare in nature.
- Sara Reardon
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News & Views |
Ancient DNA uncovers past migrations in California
Genomic data from ancient humans who lived up to 7,400 years ago, sampled from across California and Mexico, unveil patterns of migration that could explain how some Indigenous languages spread in parts of North America.
- Alan Izarraras-Gomez
- & Diego Ortega-Del Vecchyo
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Article |
Phages overcome bacterial immunity via diverse anti-defence proteins
A study reports the discovery and characterization of four distinct families of phage-encoded anti-defence proteins that inhibit a variety of bacterial defence systems.
- Erez Yirmiya
- , Azita Leavitt
- & Rotem Sorek
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Article |
Genetic continuity and change among the Indigenous peoples of California
Genome-wide analyses of ancient DNA from individuals from California and Mexico shed light on the spread of Mexican ancestry to California and how it correlates with linguistic flow.
- Nathan Nakatsuka
- , Brian Holguin
- & David Reich
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News |
Massive genetic study finds genes linked to cannabis addiction
Data from more than one million genomes offer fresh insights into excessive cannabis use and its relationship to other diseases.
- Lilly Tozer
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News |
UK first to approve CRISPR treatment for diseases: what you need to know
The landmark decision could transform the treatment of sickle-cell disease and β-thalassaemia — but the technology is expensive.
- Carissa Wong
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Article
| Open AccessEmbryo-scale reverse genetics at single-cell resolution
We present the ‘zebrafish single-cell atlas of perturbed embryos’, single-cell trancriptomic data of developing zebrafish embryos across various timepoints and with genetic perturbations.
- Lauren M. Saunders
- , Sanjay R. Srivatsan
- & Cole Trapnell
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Article
| Open AccessSingle-cell, whole-embryo phenotyping of mammalian developmental disorders
A study reports single-cell RNA-sequencing profiles for more than 1.6 million cell nuclei from 101 whole mouse embryos including 22 mutant and 4 wild-type genotypes, from one experiment.
- Xingfan Huang
- , Jana Henck
- & Malte Spielmann
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News |
First trial of ‘base editing’ in humans lowers cholesterol — but raises safety concerns
Super-precise gene-editing approach switches off a gene in the liver that regulates ‘bad’ cholesterol.
- Miryam Naddaf
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News |
AI that reads brain scans shows promise for finding Alzheimer’s genes
Machine-learning approach detects Alzheimer’s disease with an accuracy of more than 90% — a potential boon for clinicians and scientists developing treatments.
- Max Kozlov
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News |
Engineered yeast breaks new record: a genome with over 50% synthetic DNA
Highly edited strain survives and replicates despite containing 7.5 artificial chromosomes.
- Katherine Bourzac
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Perspective |
Functional genomics and systems biology in human neuroscience
Technical developments and large collaborative research networks in neurogenomics promise rapid progress in neuroscience, but translation of results from model systems to human brains is limited by sample availability, technical challenges and ethical issues.
- Genevieve Konopka
- & Aparna Bhaduri
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Article |
Latent human herpesvirus 6 is reactivated in CAR T cells
Genomics analyses reveal that in vitro culture of CAR T cells can lead to reactivation of a latent herpesvirus, which might be involved in complications in patients receiving associated cell therapies.
- Caleb A. Lareau
- , Yajie Yin
- & Ansuman T. Satpathy
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Article |
TNRC18 engages H3K9me3 to mediate silencing of endogenous retrotransposons
Trinucleotide-repeat-containing 18 (TNRC18), which has poorly understood functions, is now identified as an H3K9me3-specific reader that silences endogenous retroviruses.
- Shuai Zhao
- , Jiuwei Lu
- & Gang Greg Wang
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Article
| Open AccessAutoantibodies against type I IFNs in humans with alternative NF-κB pathway deficiency
Inborn errors of the alternative NF-κB pathway in humans impair the development of AIRE-expressing medullary thymic epithelial cells, thereby underlying the production of autoantibodies against type I IFNs and predisposition to viral diseases
- Tom Le Voyer
- , Audrey V. Parent
- & Anne Puel
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Where I Work |
How to make petunias naturally orange
Biotechnologist Sara Abdou explores the genetics that regulate colour in ornamental flowers.
- Nikki Forrester
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News |
How to keep wildcats wild: ancient DNA offers fresh insights
Ancient-genomics studies are boosting efforts to save Scotland’s endangered ‘Highland tigers’ — and keep them separate from domestic cats.
- Ewen Callaway
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Research Highlight |
Woolly-rhino genome emerges from cave hyena’s fossilized poo
Analysis shows that the now-extinct beast split into two populations almost half a million years ago.
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Nature Video |
How would a starfish wear trousers? Science has an answer
Gene expression reveals the story behind starfishes’ strange five-armed body plans
- Shamini Bundell
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Research Briefing |
Genome rewriting generates mouse models of human diseases
Many human diseases lack accurate mouse models because it is technically difficult to create extensively genetically humanized mice. A technique that allows large stretches of DNA to be rapidly rewritten in mouse embryonic stem cells can be used to produce improved animal models.
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Nature Podcast |
A new hydrogel can be directly injected into muscle to help it regenerate
A soft and conductive material shows promise for muscle rehabilitation, and why starfishes have such strange body plans.
- Nick Petrić Howe
- & Shamini Bundell
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Article |
Condensin dysfunction is a reproductive isolating barrier in mice
Species divergence in condensin regulation and centromere organization between the mice Mus musculus domesticus and Mus spretus drives chromosome decondensation and mis-segregation in their F1 hybrid oocytes, reducing female fertility.
- Warif El Yakoubi
- & Takashi Akera
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Article
| Open AccessMouse genome rewriting and tailoring of three important disease loci
This study describes a method to insert large stretches of exogenous DNA into mammalian genomes, which is used to insert human ACE2 loci into mouse to produce a model of human SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Weimin Zhang
- , Ilona Golynker
- & Jef D. Boeke
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News Explainer |
Is CRISPR safe? Genome editing gets its first FDA scrutiny
Advisers to the US regulatory agency will examine the safety profile of a CRISPR-based treatment for sickle-cell disease.
- Heidi Ledford
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News & Views |
Anti-COVID drug accelerates viral evolution
Molnupiravir, an antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, induces numerous mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome that can increase the rate at which the virus evolves — yielding viral variants that might survive and be passed on.
- Sergei L. Kosakovsky Pond
- & Darren Martin
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Research Highlight |
Ancient DNA reveals traces of elusive first humans in Europe
Europe’s earliest Homo sapiens seemed to have vanished without a genetic legacy — but genomic studies now show otherwise.
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News |
Mysterious mouse mummies found atop lofty volcanoes
Naturally freeze-dried leaf-eared mice found above 6,000 metres show mammals can dwell at extraordinary heights.
- Anil Oza
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Editorial |
How to share data — not just equally, but equitably
Just as with many natural resources, wealthy countries have been extracting scientific data from poorer nations for centuries. Researchers are changing that.
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News Feature |
Apple revival: how science is bringing historic varieties back to life
Exploring the genomes of half-forgotten and heirloom apple varieties could help to ensure the future of the incomparable fruits.
- Christopher Kemp
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Career Column |
Methods section too short? Use online protocols to make complex techniques understandable
New wet-lab methods can be hard to share owing to their complexity, but with a little extra effort, you can give users a leg-up in getting started.
- Lars Borm
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