title: The year in human and medical genetics. Highlights of 2007-2008.
abstract: The breadth and scope of new information makes difficult a selection of topics to be included in a limited review of highlights of the year. Admittedly, the choices are idiosyncratic. The eight topics presented here are (1) structural and copy number variants in the human genome; (2) progress in defining genetic factors in the etiology of schizophrenia; (3) microRNAs in central nervous system development and function; (4) progress in elucidation of risk factors for complex common disorders through large scale association studies; (5) epigenetics and the epigenomic era; (6) reprogramming of somatic cell nuclei to generate pluripotent stem cells; (7) new concepts regarding factors involved in sexual differentiation; and (8) Duffy blood group antigens: new concepts, and new discoveries on the role of these antigens in malaria and HIV-AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics, College of Health Sciences, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. dmsmith@uci.edu
authors.forename: Moyra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics