Congratulations to the winners of the Editors’ Choice Awards for outstanding articles published in GENETICS in 2017! The journal’s Editorial Board considered a diverse range of articles, finding many papers worthy of recognition. After much deliberation, they settled on one exceptional article for each of the three award categories: molecular genetics, quantitative genetics, and population and evolutionary genetics. Check out some of the best GENETICS had to offer in 2017!

EDITORS’ AWARD IN MOLECULAR GENETICS

Linlin Zhang

Genetic Basis of Melanin Pigmentation in Butterfly Wings

Linlin Zhang, Arnaud Martin, Michael W. Perry, Karin R. L. van der Burg, Yuji Matsuoka,  Antónia Monteiro, and Robert D. Reed

Genetics April 2017, 205: 1537–1550

Editors’ Note

Butterfly wing patterns are a model system for studying the evolution and development of adaptive traits. Zhang et al. combine RNA-seq and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to characterize and functionally assess genes that are involved in butterfly wing pattern development. Focusing their approach on the melanin pigmentation pathway showed that, while some melanin genes have deeply conserved function across insects, some play expanded roles in butterfly wings to tune the coloration of specific pattern elements.

See also: Behind the Cover: CRISPR in Color

EDITORS’ AWARD IN QUANTITATIVE GENETICS

Yuelong (John) Guo

Networks Underpinning Symbiosis Revealed Through Cross-Species eQTL Mapping

Yuelong Guo, Sylwia Fudali, Jacinta Gimeno, Peter DiGennaro, Stella Chang, Valerie M. Williamson, David McK. Bird, and Dahlia M. Nielsen

Genetics August  2017, 206: 2175–2184

Editors’ Note

Inter-species interactions are common among plants, animals, and microbes. Existing analysis tools often focus on only one of the species involved in an interaction; to address this issue, Guo et al. developed an approach that concurrently identifies genes in both interacting partners. They apply this methodology to plants infected with a parasitic nematode and construct cross-species gene networks to identify cause-and-effect relationships between genes from both partners.

EDITORS’ AWARD IN POPULATION AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS

Philipp Messer

Evolution of Resistance Against CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Drive

Robert L. Unckless, Andrew G. Clark, and Philipp W. Messer

Genetics February 2017, 205: 827–841

Editors’ Note

CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive (CGD) can spread a genetically modified allele to fixation within a species and is a promising tool for pest control. Unckless, Clark, and Messer examine the likelihood that resistance to gene drive will evolve prior to driver fixation, thus potentially limiting the ability of the driver to transform whole populations. Their results shed light on strategies for engineering drivers with lower potential for resistance and the possibility of using resistance as a mechanism for controlling CGD.

See also: Behind the Cover: Attack of the 50 Foot Mosquito

, ,
View all posts by Editorial Staff »

Read more in

  • Ed Grell at his dissecting microscope using ether to anesthetize his flies.

    In Memoriam: Ellsworth Herman Grell (1932–2023), a pioneer of Drosophila genome engineering and annotation

    Ellsworth (Ed) Grell blessed the Drosophila community through three enduring legacies: as a pioneer of chromosome mechanics, as a primary organizer and synthesizer of genetic knowledge in Drosophila, and as a graceful mentor to those fortunate to have known him personally. Ed grew up in rural Nebraska, completed his undergraduate studies at Iowa State, and…

  • Congratulations to the #Fungal24 Poster Award winners!

    We are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA Poster Awards for posters presented at the 32nd Fungal Genetics Conference! Undergraduate and graduate student members of GSA were eligible for the awards, and a hard-working team of judges made the determinations. Congratulations to all! Felicia Ebot Ojong, The University of Georgia My research is focused…

  • Poster presentation tips for TAGC 2024

    You’ve been selected to present a poster at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March—you’ve celebrated, made plans to attend, now what? This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your research and engage with fellow members of the genetics community, so you want to make sure you’re prepared. We wanted to offer you some tips…

  • Maximize your TAGC 2024 experience 

    A guide to all that National Harbor & DC have to offer Are you joining us for The Allied Genetics Conference 2024 in March? Make the most of your #TAGC24 experience in National Harbor! We know the science will keep you busy, but you deserve to unwind and have some fun, so we’ve curated a…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Petrosky

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah PetroskyMultimedia SubcommitteeUniversity of Pittsburgh Research Interest I am interested in understanding adaptation that has been happening recently in populations by dissecting the ways that genes underlying an adaptation…

  • TAGC 2024 Early Career Award Winners

    GSA is pleased to announce the winners of the early career awards presented at The Allied Genetics Conference 2024. These awards are specific to particular TAGC communities and recognize early career scientists’ outstanding work on their respective research organisms. The awardees will present their talks in keynote sessions at TAGC 2024.  Don’t miss the opportunity…

  • Preeminent geneticists recognized with revamped GSA Awards

    In 2022, GSA’s Board of Directors launched an audit to review the five major awards conferred by the Society. Today, we are thrilled to announce the recipients of the reimagined GSA Awards, including the new Genetics Society of America Early Career Medal. The scientists honored this year are recognized by their peers for their outstanding…

  • Fly Board funds outreach programs to spread the word about Drosophila research

    In 2020, the Fly Board voted to use part of its reserve fund to support efforts to increase trainee participation as well as equity and diversity in the Drosophila community. An awards committee decides how the money will be spent each year, and from 2020–2022, the committee posted a very broad call for applications from…

  • New members of the GSA Board of Directors: 2024–2026

    We are pleased to announce the election of four new leaders to the GSA Board of Directors: 2024 Vice President/2025 President Brenda Andrews Professor, University of Toronto It’s an honor to continue my association with the Society by serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors. I have broad knowledge of the ongoing activities…

  • A rose-ringed parakeet, one of three parrot species used in the study.

    Parrot plumage study aids breeders and endangered natural populations

    Yellow coloration is maladaptive in the wild but prized by breeders. People have long been fascinated with birds, which exhibit one of the widest ranges of coloration among vertebrates. Parrots, in particular, have captivated humans by their ability to mimic human speech and spectacular plumage. Brightly colored feathers are used primarily to attract mates, intimidate…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Sarah Gilmour

    We’re taking time to get to know the members of the GSA’s Early Career Scientist Committees. Join us to learn more about our early career scientist advocates. Sarah GilmourMultimedia SubcommitteeStowers Institute for Medical Research Research Interest Questions of evolution have always fascinated me. I am extremely fortunate to be starting out my research career in a…