Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte has published a paper in Nature detailing how, for the first time, scientists can insert DNA at a target location into the non-dividing cells that make up the majority of adult organs and tissues. The technique, which the team showed was able to partially restore visual responses in blind rodents, will open new avenues for basic research and a variety of treatments, such as for retinal, heart and neurological diseases.

 

Martin Hetzer's lab has discovered that two proteins --- which are part of large gatekeeping complexes in the membrane surrounding the nucleus --- interact with the DNA inside and influence gene expression in key regions of the genome called super-enhancers, which determine cell identity. Experiments perturbing these proteins caused related gene expression to go awry without influencing their gatekeeping function. So far, every membrane protein found to be dysfunctional seems to cause a human disease. 

Terrence Sejnowski and colleagues have published a paper in eLife describing how, every night, electrical waves of activity circle around each side of the brain  to help consolidate memory while we sleep . The  " Princess Leia "  brainwaves --- dubbed so for their dual hair bun-like shapes --- could one day be targeted to develop new methods of treating post-traumatic stress disorder .  

The Salk Institute has been awarded a coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator --- America's largest independent charity and nonprofit evaluator --- for its strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. Receiving the highest ranking for six straight years puts Salk in rare company --- only 4 percent of charities evaluated achieve that status.