The transcription machinery used to regulate gene expression and self-renewal in human embryonic stem cells is different from that found in other cells.

A genome-organizing protein that is present only in the olfactory system of mice has been found to orchestrate changes in the relative numbers of different odor-sensing neurons on the basis of how active these neurons are.

A protein that can recognize regions of DNA with a high proportion of unmethylated CpG dinucleotides, and then recruit polycomb group proteins to these CpG islands, has been identified.

A transmembrane protein uses distinct mechanisms to regulate the movement of specific toll-like receptors-key immune system components involved in detecting pathogens-to their final locations inside cells.

Islands of non-methylated DNA are shown to perform a similar epigenetic role in many different vertebrate species.

Individual granule cells within the cerebellum-the region of the brain that coordinates movement and supports the learning of new motor skills-receive both sensory and motor input streams: an arrangement that may help the brain to use feedback to fine-tune movement.

Sensory neurons in the olfactory system develop from two different regions of the ectoderm, the olfactory placode and the cranial neural crest, whereas sensory neurons within the eye and ear develop from just one region.

A gene that codes for a transcription factor that is involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism also has a role in the regulation of circadian rhythms.

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (Lsd1) has an essential role during both the early and later stages of blood cell development.