In Science this week, collaborators from Amgen's DeCode Genetics and Reykjavik University report a high-resolution map of human genetic recombination using more than 28,000 whole-genome sequences from parent-child pairs. Using the map, which has a resolution of 682 base pairs, the investigators identified more than 4.5 million crossover recombinations and more than 200,000 de novo mutations (DNMs). They also find that the rate of DNMs that occur within 1,000 basepairs of a crossover hotspot is nearly 50-fold greater than the genomic average, suggesting that crossovers play a role in new mutation formation. Coding regions of the genome were less likely to have crossovers and therefore less likely to exhibit variation due to mutation or recombination. GenomeWeb has more on this, here.
Also in Science, an international group of scientists discuss existing restrictions on the sharing and use of ethically approved genome sequencing data and argue for clear policies that will ensure the availability of such data to the research community. The authors say current guidelines fail to address "the tensions between the importance of free and unconditional use of these data and the 'right' of the data producers to the first publication," and that the growth of the genomic science field has left existing open-data initiatives in need of updating. "Advancing the genomics field requires strong affirmative policies toward open and unrestricted data sharing that promote inclusive community-driven research and training," they add. GenomeWeb also covers this, here.