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Frank Steemers and colleagues report a new method for genome-wide haplotyping based on contiguity-preserving transposition and combinatorial indexing. They apply this method to assemble over 95% of the heterozygous variants in a human genome into long, accurate haplotype blocks.
Evan Eichler and colleagues present a detailed characterization of the chromosome 15q13.3 microdeletion region. They identify complex structural polymorphisms and find that the rearrangement breakpoints cluster in palindromic GOLGA8 core duplicons, providing evidence that this repeat and its palindromic architecture underlie the evolutionary and disease-related instability of this region.
Chetan Bettegowda, Bert Vogelstein and colleagues identify somatic mutations of SUZ12 in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors from individuals with and without neurofibromatosis. SUZ12 encodes a chromatin-modifying protein and is located adjacent to the NF1 gene on chromosome 17q11. The data support a 'three-hit' model of tumor suppression.
Sanwen Huang and colleagues report a comprehensive analysis of genetic variation in tomato based on the genome sequencing of 360 distinct accessions. The work provides insights into the history of tomato domestication and represents a rich resource for studying the genetic basis of trait variation in this important crop plant.
Ali Gharavi and colleagues report a genome-wide association analysis of IgA nephropathy in over 20,000 individuals of European and East Asian ancestry. They identify genome-wide significant signals at three new loci near VAV3, CARD9 and ITGAM-ITGAX and correlations between genetic risk and pathogen diversity.
Gregor Andelfinger and colleagues identify mutations in SGOL1 that cause a novel cohesinopathy characterized by chronic atrial and intestinal dysrhythmia, termed CAID syndrome. SGOL1 encodes a component of the cohesin complex, suggesting that cardiac and gut rhythm are regulated by this complex.
Timothy Frayling, Joel Hirschhorn, Peter Visscher and colleagues report a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for adult height in 253,288 individuals. They identify 697 variants in 423 loci significantly associated with adult height and find that these variants cluster in pathways involved in growth and together explain one-fifth of the heritability for this trait.
Fernando González-Candelas and colleagues report the whole-genome sequencing of 69 Legionella pneumophila strains linked to recurrent outbreaks in Alcoy, Spain, over the course of 11 years. They characterize the evolution and epidemiology of this environmental pathogen.
William Lee and colleagues present a systematic analysis of noncoding somatic mutations in 863 tumor samples representing over 20 cancer types. They identify new mutation hotspots as well as genes with frequent mutations in their promoter regions, including WDR74 and SDHD.
Kristijan Ramadan and colleagues report the identification of three individuals from two families with biallelic inactivating mutations in SPRTN causing early onset hepatocellular carcinoma and defects in the DNA replication stress response. Functional studies confirmed critical roles for SPRTN in G2/M checkpoint response and DNA replication.
James Cerhan and colleagues report genome-wide association and meta-analysis studies to identify genetic susceptibility loci for diffuse large B cell lymphoma. They identify four loci that influence genetic susceptibility to this B cell malignancy.
The Malaria Genomic Epidemiology Network reports a large multicenter association study for severe malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum in 11,890 cases and 17,441 controls from 12 locations in Africa, Asia and Oceania. They examine 27 loci previously associated with severe malaria and replicate associations at the HBB, ABO, ATP2B4, G6PD and CD40LG loci, but they fail to replicate other previously reported associations.
Brazil's success in applying a systems approach to agricultural productivity has been rapidly followed by an expansion in postgraduate training with particular strength in agronomy, plant molecular biology and biotechnology. Research publications with international impact will be a key to sustaining and exporting these successes.
The NLRC4 inflammasome mediates the rapid release of proinflammatory cytokines in response to various microbial stimuli, but its role in the pathology of human diseases remains unknown. Two new studies now report gain-of-function mutations in the NLRC4 gene that cosegregate with distinct autoinflammatory syndromes in affected families.
