Once considered an unimportant curiosity, Z-DNA is now recognized to provide an on-the-fly mechanism to regulate how an RNA transcript is edited.

When the nucleic acid spirals to the left, it takes on a zig-zag shape known as Z-DNA that appears to regulate RNA editing.

A gene responsible for the free-moving, primitive nature of fetal cells is expressed in some breast cancer cells in mice and humans.

Pauses may help cells fine-tune gene expression.

Researchers are just beginning to scratch the surface of how several newly recognized epigenetic changes function in the genome.

To expand the basic nucleotide alphabet, many species modify their DNA with epigenetic marks.

Solving a long-standing structural puzzle will open the door to understanding one of the cell’s most enigmatic machines.

Researchers use the CRISPR/Cas system to express three transcription-factor genes, changing the identities of mouse cells.

Endurance exercise and metabolism are linked to transcriptional activation of human telomeres, researchers propose.

Key Alzheimer’s disease–related protein may be a transcriptional regulator.

Susan Lindquist has never shied away from letting her curiosity guide her research career.

Assistant Professor, Department of Cell and Tissue Biology, University of California, San Francisco. Age: 39

Researchers apply the genome-editing technology to alter histones at distant gene enhancers, controlling gene expression.

The recent discovery of super-enhancers may offer new drug targets for a range of diseases.

Researchers devise a way to preserve bits of paper containing synthetic gene networks, which can be easily stored and widely distributed. Rehydrated, transcription and translation “come to life.”

The oviducts of pigs exhibit different gene expression profiles depending on their exposure to sperm with either an X or a Y chromosome, a study shows. 

Scientists have recently discovered that enhancers are often transcribed into RNAs. But they’re still not sure what, if anything, these eRNAs do.

Transcriptional landscape of the fetal brain; how a parasitic worm invades plants; difficulties reproducing “breakthrough” heart regeneration method; oxytocin and dishonesty

Consortium annotates the human genome with cell type-specific information about transcription start sites, active enhancers, and their expression throughout the body.