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Genetics and the Battle of the Sexes

At evolgen, a blogger sums up recent research on sexually antagonistic genes. Several papers look across species, from human, mouse, and fruit fly, at the effect of X-linked copies of genes -- genes from the X-chromosome that are duplicated and appear on autosomes and are expressed in a biased fashion in male- and female-specific tissues. In one paper, Brian Oliver of the NIH looked across different Drosophila species to conclude that natural selection drives male-biased genes off the X chromosome independently of the effects of X inactivation during spermatogenesis.

The Scan

Positive Framing of Genetic Studies Can Spark Mistrust Among Underrepresented Groups

Researchers in Human Genetics and Genomics Advances report that how researchers describe genomic studies may alienate potential participants.

Small Study of Gene Editing to Treat Sickle Cell Disease

In a Novartis-sponsored study in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that a CRISPR-Cas9-based treatment targeting promoters of genes encoding fetal hemoglobin could reduce disease symptoms.

Gut Microbiome Changes Appear in Infants Before They Develop Eczema, Study Finds

Researchers report in mSystems that infants experienced an enrichment in Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Finegoldia and a depletion of Bacteroides before developing eczema.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Specificity Enhanced With Stem Cell Editing

A study in Nature suggests epitope editing in donor stem cells prior to bone marrow transplants can stave off toxicity when targeting acute myeloid leukemia with immunotherapy.