Multiple Copies of Ribosomal RNA Genes Aid Yeast Genome Integrity
Japanese researchers identified mechanisms through which ribosomal RNA gene sequences help protect the genome following DNA damage by comparing four Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with 20, 40, 80, or 110 copies of genes coding for rRNA. They found that strains with fewer copies of rDNA genes were more sensitive to DNA damage by chemicals or ultraviolet light, apparently due to a role for these rDNA copies in recombination repair and sister chromatid cohesion.
Team Maps Methylome During Cellular Differentiation
Laurent, Wong, et al, Genome Research
Using bisulfite sequencing with the Illumina Genome Analyzer, researchers from Singapore and the US mapped and compared DNA methylation patterns in human cells during three progressive stages of differentiation: embryonic stem cells, skin-like cells derived from embryonic stem cells, and primary neonatal skin cells. In the process, the team identified shared and cell type-specific methylation patterns, providing insights into how gene regulation shifts during development.
That "awkward compromise"
That "awkward compromise" quote is taken out of context (and not from my post, but from a subsequent comment I wrote) - here's the surrounding text:
"The CSHL policy (ask permission before reporting) is a compromise between these two competing desires; perhaps it's an awkward compromise, but I think it's important to acknowledge that the dilemma they're facing is not trivial."
Note that I was actually defending the new policy of CSHL in this exchange against fairly vigorous criticism. I welcome CSHL's clarification of their policy and respect their attitude towards protecting presenters who wish to present unpublished data, although I do hope that other conferences end up adopting more open policies.
I'd encourage readers to read my full post to get a sense of my actual views, as the description here does not provide an accurate picture at all.
And seriously, Daily Scan writers - I know you want to go for the most sensational angle, but was that piece of hardcore quote mining really necessary?
Hey Dan, Sorry about that.
Hey Dan, Sorry about that. We weren't trying to be sensational or to take anything out of context -- just to keep things short for readers. It seems you can read the phrase "awkward compromise" to place emphasis on the "awkward" (negative connotation) or on the "compromise" (positive connotation) so we actually thought that was a nice way of referring to the different angles of the debate.
OK, in the cold light of 60
OK, in the cold light of 60 minutes later I can see that my response there was unnecessarily harsh - I do appreciate the link and the fostering of further discussion on the issue!
I just wanted to clarify that I am not criticising CSHL's response to the issue, which has been both prompt and clear. I apologise for the extraneous criticism; it's been a long day...