In this week's Science, a group of international researchers reports on new details about the genome of Amborella trichopoda, the oldest of all angiosperms. In one paper, the team published the plant's comprehensive nuclear genome, offering insights into the diversification of flowering plants. In a second paper, the scientists present the complete mitochondrial genome of Amborella, showing that much of it was acquired by horizontal gene transfer with other organisms such as mosses. In the final paper, the group discusses the use of next-generation sequence technologies, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and whole-genome mapping to assemble a high-quality genome sequence for the plant. "As the only extant member of an ancient lineage, Amborella provides a unique window into the earliest events in angiosperm evolution," the team notes.
GenomeWeb Daily News has more on these papers here.
Also in Science, the journal named clinical genomics as an area to watch in 2014, stating that, in the coming year, more and more doctors will request patients' genomic sequences — either in their entirety or partially — in order to diagnose diseases and guide treatments. "Several studies will explore whether sequencing should become part of newborn screening and even guide the medical care of healthy people," while there will be increasing discussion about whether incidental results from sequencing should be revealed to patients, Science says.
Science also notes that its predictions for 2013 did OK, generating some mixed results. It gives itself a thumbs-up on calling out single-cell sequencing and connectomes as some of this year's trends.