Here are summaries of a selection of the papers published by GCB faculty in March 2021:
AGING
Terrie Moffitt, Avshalom Caspi and team used the Dunedin cohort to examine the pace of aging. By examining 19 biomarkers throughout various ages, they were able to see that some people age faster than others, putting them at higher risk for age-related illnesses earlier in life. Read more
DNA METHYLATION
Terrie Moffitt and Avshalom Caspi were part of a team that identified major differences in DNA methylation across multiple peripheral tissues and different blood cell types, with each sample type being characterized by a unique signature across multiple genomic loci. Read more
DEVELOPMENT
Greg Wray and team investigated the molecular mechanisms that cause starfish to develop their five-point bodies. Read more
Greg Wray was part of a team that used cerebral organoids derived from human, gorilla, and chimpanzee cells to study developmental mechanisms driving evolutionary brain expansion. Read more
DISEASE
Ashley Chi and team discovered that Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) promotes ferroptosis by regulating the S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2). This could provide new therapeutic options for tumors driven by the YAP protein. Read more
Arthur Moseley and Charlie Gerbach were part of a collaboration that used table-isotope tracing in isolated perfused hearts and in living animals to specifically map the fates of α-ketoacids (BCKA) in the heart. Read more
NEW METHODS
Tim Reddy, Charlie Gersbach and team established the genome-wide binding patterns of five AP-1 subunits by using CRISPR to introduce a common antibody tag on each subunit. Read more
Tim Reddy, Andrew Allen and team developed a statistical model that corrects technical biases in STARR-seq data and improves detection of regulatory elements. Read more
Lingchong You and team developed a framework to improve computational efficiency and develop mechanistic insight into the dynamics of colony growth and pattern formation. Read more
Amy Goldberg was part of a team that devised a mechanistic model, consisting of an admixture model, a quantitative trait model, and a mating model. They then analyzed the behavior of the mechanistic model in relation to the model parameters and found that it is possible for the decoupling of genetic ancestry and phenotype to proceed quickly, and that it occurs faster if the phenotype is driven by fewer loci. Read more
REVIEWS
Amy Goldberg and Katharine Korunes reviewed a collection of recent PLOS Genetics publications that exemplify recent progress in human genetic admixture studies. They also discuss potential areas for future work. Read more
Paul Magwene and colleagues summarized the current understanding of the different clinical presentations and health outcomes that are associated with pathogenicity and virulence of cryptococcal strains with respect to specific genotypes and phenotypes. Read more
Matthew Hirschey and team revisit the historical discovery of key post-translational modifications, quantify the current landscape of covalent protein adducts, and assess the role that new computational tools will play in the future of this field. Read more