Celebrate our centennial by checking out the Highlights below or the full Table of Contents here!

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

This Month’s Centennial Articles

A new century of GENETICS, pp. 1-2

Mark Johnston

Editor-in-Chief Mark Johnston launches the second century of GENETICS and our year-long centennial celebrations.

Sewall Wright on evolution in Mendelian populations and the “Shifting Balance,” pp. 3-4

Nicholas H. Barton

Associate Editor Nicholas H. Barton introduces Sewall Wright’s 1931 GENETICS Classic, Evolution in Mendelian populations, a remarkable synthesis of population genetics and its application, presenting, in essentially its modern form, the population genetics of allele frequency evolution.

Theodosius Dobzhansky on hybrid sterility and speciation, pp. 5-7

Jerry A. Coyne

Jerry A. Coyne introduces Theodosius Dobzhansky’s 1936 GENETICS Classic, Studies on hybrid sterility. II. Localization of sterility factors in Drosophila pseudoobscura hybrids. Recognizing that explaining the existence of species was identical to explaining the origin of “isolating mechanisms” that prevent gene flow, Dobzhansky’s 1936 work was the first concerted effort to work out the genetic changes producing a puzzling reproductive barrier: hybrid sterility.

Admixture models and the breeding systems of H. S. Jennings: a GENETICS connection, pp. 9-13

Noah A. Rosenberg

The first population genetics work published in GENETICS was H.S. Jennings on The numerical results of diverse systems of breeding, the second article of the journal’s first issue. Associate Editor Noah A. Rosenberg describes how he and Amy Goldberg uncovered a surprising connection between their work on genetic admixture on the X chromosome and the 1916 article, showing how Jennings uncovered the X-chromosomal behavior of the Hardy-Weinberg model and anticipated questions of interest in modern admixture studies.

The centenary of Genetics: bridges to the future, pp. 15-23

Barry Ganetzky and R. Scott Hawley

In the first article published in the first issue of GENETICS, Calvin Bridges provided the world with evidence that genes lie on chromosomes and laid the groundwork for much of the century of genetic research that has followed. In this Perspectives article, Barry Ganetzky and R. Scott Hawley describe the lasting impact the work has had on modern research and how Bridges’ ideas have been built upon and refined.

The differences between cis- and trans-gene inactivation caused by heterochromatin in Drosophila, pp. 93-106

Yuriy A. Abramov, Aleksei S. Shatskikh, Oksana G. Maksimenko, Silvia Bonaccorsi, Vladimir A. Gvozdev, and Sergey A. Lavrov

The heterochromatin position-effect–in which a gene’s expression is disrupted by insertion into heterochromatin–remains enigmatic. The authors characterized position-effect variegation in a new Drosophila system using a high throughput approach. They found opposing effects on genes expression that varied at different developmental stages. Cis– repression near the new eu-heterochromatin border was independent of trans-inactivation of reporter genes on the homologous, non-rearranged chromosome, with distinct molecular features.

Spindle assembly and chromosome segregation requires central spindle proteins in Drosophila oocytes, pp. 61-75

Arunika Das, Shital J. Shah, Bensen Fan, Daniel Paik, Daniel J. DiSanto, Anna Maria Hinman, Jeffry M. Cesario, Rachel A. Battaglia, Nicole Demos, and Kim S. McKim

Oocytes segregate chromosomes in the absense of centrosomes, and the central spindle plays a conserved and critical role in this acentrosomal process. Das et al. investigate central spindle protein function in acentrosomal spindle assembly and chromosome segregation, identifying genes that interact with the Kinesin 6 Subito and the Chromosome passenger complex component Incenp. They also identify cytokinesis proteins and downstream effectors that are required for homologous chromosome bi-orientation at metaphase I. These results suggest a novel meiotic function for proteins normally involved in mitotic anaphase and cytokinesis.

Deep history of East Asian populations revealed through genetic analysis of the Ainu, pp. 261-272

Choongwon Jeong, Shigeki Nakagome, and Anna Di Rienzo

The Ainu descend from prehistoric Japanese hunter-gatherers. Jeong et al. use genome-wide variation data to show that they represent one of the deepest branches of human diversity in East Asia, basal to all present-day East Asian farmers. Interestingly, they do not detect signatures of a connection between the Ainu and Tibetans, rejecting a long-held hypothesis based on Y chromosome data. Unlike other East Asians, the Ainu are more closely related to northeast than central Siberians, suggesting a potential connection between the Ainu ancestors and Beringian populations, whose descendants became the first people of the Americas.

Genetical genomics of behavior: a novel chicken genomic model for anxiety behavior, pp. 327-340

Martin Johnsson, Michael J. Williams, Per Jensen, and Dominic Wright

The identification of genes responsible for behavioral variation has ramifications ranging from medical research to evolutionary theory on personality syndromes. To identify the genes underlying anxiety behaviors the authors used a combination of conventional and expression QTL analysis, and an advanced intercross between wild and domestic chickens. This approach yielded 10 potentially causal genes for anxiety that were also correlated with mouse anxiety behavior and human pyschiatric disorders, indicating the potentially translatable nature of genes underlying anxiety.

Gonadal mosaicism induced by chemical treatment of sperm in Drosophila melanogaster, pp. 157-174

Dan L. Lindsley, Robert W. Hardy, Pedro Ripoll, and Dart Lindsley

Newly induced mutations occasionally appear as mosaics in which only part of the animal expresses the mutation, complicating interpretation of genetic screens. Until now, it was unclear how the frequency and degree of gonadal mosaicism is determined following chemical mutagenesis in Drosophila. The authors show that DNA strands modified by alkylating agents are stable and mutagenic. Each replication of an alkylated strand can result in misreplication and a mutation-bearing daughter nucleus. Daughter nuclei subsequently replicate faithfully and their descendants comprise the embryonic syncytium, from which the gonadal progenitor nuclei are selected.

Genome-wide structural variation detection by genome mapping on nanochannel arrays, pp. 351-362

Angel C. Y. Mak, Yvonne Y. Y. Lai, Ernest T. Lam, Tsz-Piu Kwok, Alden K. Y. Leung, Annie Poon, Yulia Mostovoy, Alex R. Hastie, William Stedman, Thomas Anantharaman, Warren Andrews, Xiang Zhou, Andy W. C. Pang, Heng Dai, Catherine Chu, Chin Lin, Jacob J. K. Wu, Catherine M. L. Li, Jing-Woei Li, Aldrin K. Y. Yim, Saki Chan, Justin Sibert, Željko Džakula, Han Cao, Siu-Ming Yiu, Ting-Fung Chan, Kevin Y. Yip, Ming Xiao, and Pui-Yan Kwok

Comprehensive whole genome structural variation detection is challenging using current approaches. Mak et al. show that genome mapping with long, fluorescently labeled DNA molecules imaged on nanochannel arrays can be used for locally phased whole genome structural variation detection without sequencing. The authors generated genome maps from a trio from the 1000 Genomes Project and identified structural variations >5 kb in size. The individuals have many more structural variants than previously published, including some with the potential to disrupt gene function.

Identifying regulators of morphogenesis common to vertebrate neural tube closure and Caenorhabditis elegans gastrulation, pp. 123-139

Jessica L. Sullivan-Brown, Panna Tandon, Kim E. Bird, Daniel J. Dickinson, Sophia C. Tintori, Jennifer K. Heppert, Joy H. Meserve, Kathryn P. Trogden, Sara K. Orlowski, Frank L. Conlon, and Bob Goldstein

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common and severe birth defects, yet the functions of most NTD genes are unknown. Sullivan-Brown et al. used Caenorhabditis elegans to study NTD gene homologs, finding sptf-3 and members of the WAVE complex were required for Caenorhabditis elegans gastrulation, a process that shares characteristics with vertebrate neural tube closure. Nckap1, a WAVE complex member, was also required for neural tube closure in Xenopus embryos. This work provides a new platform for studying the in vivo roles of NTD genes.

Rapid short-read sequencing and aneuploidy detection using MinlON Nanopore technology, pp. 37-44

Shan Wei and Zev Williams

MinION is a portable nanopore-based sequencer primarily designed for single-molecule sequencing of long DNA fragments (>6 kb). Wei and Williams describe a library preparation and data analysis method to enable rapid sequencing of short fragments (<1 kb) and demonstrated its clinical applicability by performing aneuploidy detection in prenatal and miscarriage samples, with sequencing in less than 4 hours. This broadens the application of MinION technology, making it a promising tool for applications that involve rapid short-read sequencing.
,
View all posts by Editorial Staff »

Read more in

  • Collage of 2021 Rosalind Franklin Award recipients

    Where are they now? Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award recipients share updates on their research

    Rosalind Franklin Young Investigator Award applications are open–make sure you submit your application or nomination of a colleague by September 30, 2024.

  • University of Minnesota researchers map genome of the last living wild horse species

    The study, published in G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, is part of larger conservation efforts to save Przewalski’s horse.

  • Congratulations to the Spring 2024 DeLill Nasser Awardees!

    GSA is pleased to announce the recipients of the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics for Spring 2024! Given twice a year to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, DeLill Nasser Awards support attendance at meetings and laboratory courses. The award is named in honor of DeLill Nasser, a long-time GSA supporter and National Science Foundation…

  • Carolyn Damilola headshot

    Carolyn Damilola: an NFS Rising Scientist on a lifelong quest to learn more

    Carolyn Damilola is an NFS Rising Scientist from Nigeria doing respiratory system research and paving the way for scientists from underrepresented communities through mentorship.

  • Text over a blue background image: Apply for up to $2,000 for your project from the Starter Culture Microgrant Program.

    What does a good microgrant proposal look like?

    Members of the Microgrant Review Committee share their tips for a successful proposal.

  • A blurred image of a human face is shown against a dark background.

    The first piece of the facial recognition puzzle

    New research in GENETICS gives a first peek at the molecular pathway involved in recognizing faces.

  • New Senior Editor Amy MacQueen joins GENETICS

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Genome Integrity and Transmission section. We’re excited to welcome Amy MacQueen to the editorial team.

  • Close up of an adult zebrafish with blue and white stripes in an aquarium with red lighting.

    Block party on the zebrafish sex chromosome

    Research in G3 identifies a gene regulatory block of the zebrafish genome responsible for overseeing the maternal-to-zygotic-transition.

  • Lemna Minor, the common duckweed

    Unraveling the mysteries of duckweed: epigenetic insights from Spirodela polyrhiza

    Research published in G3 offers insight into the impact of DNA methylation on clonal propagation in asexually reproducing plants.

  • Luciano Marraffini headshot

    A microbiologist’s quest to understand CRISPR in bacterial self-defense

    2024 Genetics Society of America Medal recipient Luciano Marraffini determined how CRISPR-Cas systems destroy genetic targets with precision, paving the way for gene editing technology development.

  • Elaine Ostrander headshot

    Unlocking mysteries of trait and disease heritability in dogs

    2024 Edward Novitski Prize recipient Elaine Ostrander, a pioneer of the domestic dog model, discovered numerous genes affecting dog size, morphology, behavior, and disease susceptibility—many of which have relevance in humans.

  • NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS Grant to Support Culture Change in Genetics

    GSA and collaborators Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue and Reclaiming STEM Institute launch NSF-funded BIO-LEAPS project to support culture change in genetics 

    We are thrilled to announce that the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is collaborating with the Personal Genetics Education & Dialogue (PGED) based in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and the Reclaiming STEM Institute (RSI) on a Leading Culture Change Through Professional Societies of Biology (BIO-LEAPS) grant from the U.S. National Science…

  • Daman Saluja: Navigating Science and Policy in India

    In the Paths to Science Policy series, we talk to individuals who have a passion for science policy and are active in advocacy through their various roles and careers. The series aims to inform and guide early career scientists interested in science policy. This series is brought to you by the GSA Early Care­er Scientist…

  • Deborah Andrew headshot

    A fly geneticist’s journey into discovering rules of organ development

    2024 George W. Beadle Award recipient Deborah Andrew discovered new genes and pathways in Drosophila salivary gland organogenesis. Now, her work can help optimize cell secretion in therapeutic applications and fight malaria.

  • Małgorzata Gazda's headshot

    Małgorzata Gazda: How receiving the DeLill Nasser Award helped her land her dream job

    Have you ever experienced an event that changes the course of your life, or in this case, your career? Małgorzata (Gosia) Gazda is Assistant Professor at the University of Montreal and in 2022, she received the DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics, which she used to attend and present at the 2022 Population,…

  • Hongyu Zhao joins GENETICS as new Senior Editor

    A new senior editor is joining GENETICS in the Statistical Genetics and Genomics section. We’re excited to welcome Hongyu Zhao to the editorial team.

  • Julio Molina Pineda at TAGC 2024

    GSA Member Julio Molina Pineda Receives DeLill Nasser Award, Shines at TAGC 2024 

    “At any career stage, the GSA membership is an amazing investment for any genetics professional!” Julio Molina Pineda is a PhD Candidate in Cell and Molecular Biology and a Research Assistant at the University of Arkansas, and a Doctoral Academy Fellow at the Lewis Lab. In 2023, Julio was awarded the DeLill Nasser Award for…

  • 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…

  • The Fly Meeting is one-of-a-kind! Dros 2025 organizers share their excitement

    The 66th Annual Drosophila Research Conference promises to be a meeting rich with the latest in Drosophila research as well as opportunities to advance your career and connect with a global community of 1,400+ scientists. The organizers Todd Nystul, Michelle Bland, Leila Rieder, Amanda Crocker, and Justin Crocker are hard at work, planning a conference…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Olufemi Osonowo

    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. Olufemi Adekunle OsonowoCareer Development SubcommitteeDalhousie University Research Interest Metabolomics and genomics are two distinct but complimentary approaches that offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of complex traits, such…

  • Early Career Leadership Spotlight: Hector Mendoza

    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. Hector MendozaCommunication and Outreach SubcommitteeUniversity of Michigan Research Interest My research goals converge around the evolution of sexual reproduction. During my doctoral program, I investigated mitochondrial inheritance, a mechanism…