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Another Dimension

In Futurism, Kristin Houser outlines an approach for mapping the 3D structure of the human genome.

Using "tyramide signal amplification sequencing," or TSA-Seq, she explains, a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign-led team mapped chromosomal distances from nuclear structures known as "nuclear speckles" in leukemia cells — work they reported in the Journal of Cell Biology yesterday.

"Eventually, the researchers hope to map the 3D positions of genes in other types of cells, focusing on how the positions might change as the cells age or become diseased," Houser notes. "The more we learn about the structure of the human genome, the better equipped we'll be to eventually write a genome of our own."

The Scan

RNA Editing in Octopuses Seems to Help Acclimation to Shifts in Water Temperature

A paper in Cell reports that octopuses use RNA editing to help them adjust to different water temperatures.

Topical Compound to Block EGFR Inhibitors May Ease Skin Toxicities, Study Finds

A topical treatment described in Science Translational Medicine may limit skin toxicities seen with EGFR inhibitor therapy.

Dozen Genetic Loci Linked to Preeclampsia Risk in New GWAS

An analysis of genome-wide association study data in JAMA Cardiology finds genetic loci linked to preeclampsia that have ties to blood pressure.

Cancer Survival Linked to Mutational Burden in Pan-Cancer Analysis

A pan-cancer paper appearing in JCO Precision Oncology suggests tumor mutation patterns provide clues for predicting cancer survival that are independent of other prognostic factors.