Top 7 genetics papers

A snapshot of the highest-ranked articles in genetics and related areas in the past 30 days

Written byAlison McCook
| 3 min read

Register for free to listen to this article
Listen with Speechify
0:00
3:00
Share
linkurl:1. Mapping transcriptomes;http://f1000.com/2136965?key=xj849p1lvpmyvk0 While mapping every transcriptional start site and operon of Helicobacter pylori at single-nucleotide resolution, the authors identify novel small RNAs, reveal the widespread nature of antisense transcription, and unveil a new technique to investigate the genomic complexities of other important pathogens, such as Salmonella and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. CM Sharma et al, linkurl:Nature,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20164839?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 464:250-5, 2010. Evaluated by N. Ahmed, Institute of Life Sciences, India; M. Hensel, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU); S. Ho Sui and F. Brinkman, Simon Fraser University; S. Vogt and T. Raivio, University of Alberta; A. Danielli and V. Scarlato, University of Bologna. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/2136965?key=xj849p1lvpmyvk0
DNA
Image: Wikimedia commons, Zephyris
linkurl:2. Epigenetics in mind;http://f1000.com/4303956?key=4djjldzr13n01dm The body's tendency to silence the expression of one parental allele in favor of the other -- a phenomenon known as genomic imprinting -- is much more widespread in the brain than scientists have believed, according to a new genome-wide study in mice. Surprisingly, more than 1300 genes expressed in the mouse brain appear to exhibit "parent-of-origin" epigenetic effects. C. Gregg, et al., linkurl:Science,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20616232?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 329:643-8, 2010. Evaluations by R. Sapolsky, Stanford University; ME Carter and L. de Lecea, Stanford University; J. Messing, Rutgers University; Y Ikeuchi and A Bonni, Harvard Medical School; D Sweatt, University of Alabama at Birmingham. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/4303956?key=4djjldzr13n01dm linkurl:3. Translation goes local;http://f1000.com/3168959?key=0y2v7jkprk9bfyz Protein synthesis is a complicated game, but for the first time researchers have shown direct interaction between a transmembrane receptor, called DCC, and the translational machinery in rodent neurons, a step that likely facilitates localized protein production. J. Tcherkezian, et al., linkurl:Cell,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20434207?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 141:632-44, 2010. Evaluations by K Kwan and CB Chien, University of Utah; J Heraud and M Kiebler, Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; W Kroeze and B Roth, University of North Carolina; L Desgroseillers, University of Montreal, Canada; L Columbus, University of Virginia. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/3168959?key=0y2v7jkprk9bfyz linkurl:4. No RNA "dark matter"?;http://f1000.com/3374960?key=b9ky6xh68fhgln7 Most of the DNA that's transcribed into RNA in fact codes for proteins, a finding that disputes previous studies that suggested that the majority of mammalian transcripts are non-coding "dark matter." H. van Bakel et al. linkurl:PLoS Biol,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20502517?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m May; 8(5):e1000371, 2010. A Siepel, Cornell University; S Macdonald, University of Kansas; A Sellam and A Nantel, National Research Council of Canada; D Reines, Emory University School of Medicine. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/3374960?key=b9ky6xh68fhgln7 linkurl:5. Super E. Coli;http://f1000.com/3517956?key=19571mgrn0v6s9j The mother cell of E. coli maintains a constant growth rate throughout its replicative life (hundreds of cell divisions), despite accumulating damage and an increased probability of death, suggesting that growth and aging are decoupled, unlike all other studied aging models. P. Wang et al., linkurl:Curr Biol,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20537537?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 2010 May 26, 20:1099?1103. Evaluated by R Kishony, Harvard University; T Meier, Max Planck Inst Biophysics; Yves Barral, ETH. linkurl:Free F1000 Evaluation;http://f1000.com/3517956?key=19571mgrn0v6s9j linkurl:6. How autophagosomes form;http://f1000.com/3425956?key=0x5ck35f5d8hsbj Under conditions of starvation, autophagosomes form to resupply the cell by bringing nutrients from the cytosol or other organelles to the lysosomes, ensuring the cell's survival. New findings reveal an essential ingredient to this mysterious process: the outer membrane of mitochondria. DW Hailey et al. linkurl:Cell,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20478256?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 141:656-67, 2010. Evaluated by R Gross, University of Wuerzburg, Germany; M Markaki and N Tavernarakis, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Greece; Y Xiang and Y Wang, University of Michigan, E Lau and Z Ronai, The Burnham Institute. linkurl:Free F1000 evaluation;http://f1000.com/3425956?key=0x5ck35f5d8hsbj linkurl:7. New tumor targets?;http://f1000.com/4759956?key=4491vf3hl9g0vnw A scan of 1800 megabases of DNA from 441 tumors reveals more than 2500 somatic mutations, providing the mutation "spectra" for cancers, including protein kinases and G-protein-coupled receptors, some of which may serve as druggable targets. Z. Kan et al, linkurl:Nature,;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/20668451?dopt=Abstract&holding=f1000%2Cf1000m 466:869-73, 2010. Evaluated by T Ried, National Cancer Institute; D Nierlich, University of California, Los Angeles; S Gutkind, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. linkurl:Free F1000 evaluation;http://f1000.com/4759956?key=4491vf3hl9g0vnw The F1000 Top 7 is a snapshot of the highest ranked articles from a 30-day period on Faculty of 1000 Genomics & Genetics, as calculated on October 28, 2010. Faculty Members evaluate and rate the most important papers in their field. To see the latest rankings, search the database, and read daily evaluations, visit linkurl:http://f1000.com.;http://www.f1000.com/
**__Related stories:__***linkurl:Top 7 hidden jewels;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57789/
[26th October 2010] *linkurl:Top 7 papers in biochemistry;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57753/
[19th October 2010] *linkurl:Top 7 papers in neuroscience;http://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/57742/
[12th October 2010]
Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

The Scientist Logo
Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member? Login Here

Meet the Author

Share
February 2026

A Stubborn Gene, a Failed Experiment, and a New Path

When experiments refuse to cooperate, you try again and again. For Rafael Najmanovich, the setbacks ultimately pushed him in a new direction.

View this Issue
Human-Relevant In Vitro Models Enable Predictive Drug Discovery

Advancing Drug Discovery with Complex Human In Vitro Models

Stemcell Technologies
Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Redefining Immunology Through Advanced Technologies

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance in AAV Manufacturing with Analytical Ultracentrifugation

Beckman Coulter Logo
Conceptual multicolored vector image of cancer research, depicting various biomedical approaches to cancer therapy

Maximizing Cancer Research Model Systems

bioxcell

Products

Sino Biological Logo

Sino Biological Pioneers Life Sciences Innovation with High-Quality Bioreagents on Inside Business Today with Bill and Guiliana Rancic

Sino Biological Logo

Sino Biological Expands Research Reagent Portfolio to Support Global Nipah Virus Vaccine and Diagnostic Development

Beckman Coulter

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Partners with Automata to Accelerate AI-Ready Laboratory Automation

Refeyn logo

Refeyn named in the Sunday Times 100 Tech list of the UK’s fastest-growing technology companies