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		Research article Lack of global meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, and paucity of tissue-specific gene expression on the Drosophila X chromosome Lyudmila M Mikhaylova, Dmitry I Nurminsky BMC Biology 2011, 9:29 (4 May 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary X inactivation during meiosis in males is thought to drive observed biases in the location of genes on the sex chromosomes. In Drosophila however the X chromosome seems to remain active in meiosis, suggesting that other forces may be more important.
		Research article Architectures of archaeal GINS complexes, essential DNA replication initiation factors Takuji Oyama, Sonoko Ishino, Seiji Fujino, Hiromi Ogino, Tsuyoshi Shirai, Kouta Mayanagi, Mihoko Saito, Naoko Nagasawa, Yoshizumi Ishino, Kosuke Morikawa BMC Biology 2011, 9:28 (28 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central
		Research article Expression of constitutively active erythropoietin receptor in pyramidal neurons of cortex and hippocampus boosts higher cognitive functions in mice Derya Sargin, Ahmed El-Kordi, Amit Agarwal, Michael Müller, Sonja M Wojcik, Imam Hassouna, Swetlana Sperling, Klaus-Armin Nave, Hannelore Ehrenreich BMC Biology 2011, 9:27 (28 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary Erythropoietin has positive effects on the brain due to blood oxygenation. An additional contribution, via direct action on neurons that express its receptor, is now supported by the superior cognitive performance of transgenic mice that express a constitutively active variant of this receptor in pyramidal neurons.
		Commentary Butterfly eyespot serial homology: enter the Hox genes James Hombría BMC Biology 2011, 9:26 (28 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary Homeotic (Hox) genes specify segmental diversity during early development. Commenting on a recent paper in EvoDevo on the role of the Hox gene Antennapedia in the specification of butterfly eyespots, James Castelli-Gair Hombría speculates on the evolutionary conservation of eyespot development.
		Commentary Promiscuity and preferences of metallothioneins: the cell rules Andrew W Foster, Nigel J Robinson BMC Biology 2011, 9:25 (28 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary Metalloproteins are vital for many cellular functions, but it is not known how they select their specific metal. Commenting on a recent paper in BMC Biology, Foster and Robinson explain the many regulatory factors whereby their preferences may be set or overcome by cells.
		Research article Polyploidization increases meiotic recombination frequency in Arabidopsis Ales Pecinka, Wei Fang, Marc Rehmsmeier, Avraham A Levy, Ortrun Mittelsten Scheid BMC Biology 2011, 9:24 (21 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary In evolutionary terms, polyploidy has both costs and benefits for an organism. Help in quantifying these is given by an elegant assay involving fluorescent Arabidopsis seeds, which shows that polyploids have an elevated rate of meiotic recombination.
		Comment The miswired brain: making connections from neurodevelopment to psychopathology Kevin J Mitchell BMC Biology 2011, 9:23 (12 April 2011) Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary In a brief comment, Kevin Mitchell discusses the implications of the convergence of neuropsychiatric genetics on genes involved in neurodevelopment, outlining the challenge of linking the primary mutations to the final pathology, and explaining how mouse models can help.
		Review Learning to live together: mutualism between self-splicing introns and their hosts David R Edgell, Venkata R Chalamcharla, Marlene Belfort BMC Biology 2011, 9:22 (11 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary The relationship between self-splicing introns and hosts is often seen as one of molecular parasitism. Edgell, Chalamcharla and Belfort review ways in which they may actually show cooperation rather than conflict.
		Commentary Toward forward genetic screens in malaria-causing parasites using the piggyBac transposon Brendan S Crabb, Tania F de Koning-Ward, Paul R Gilson BMC Biology 2011, 9:21 (31 March 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed
		Question and Answer Q&A: Who is H. sapiens really, and how do we know? Mason Liang, Rasmus Nielsen BMC Biology 2011, 9:20 (31 March 2011) Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| 1 comment \| Editor’s summary Modern sequencing technology has made it possible to scavenge the DNA of extinct hominin ancestors for evidence of interbreeding with Homo sapiens. Liang and Nielsen examine the evidence, what it tells us and how sure we can be
		Methodology article A next-generation sequencing method for overcoming the multiple gene copy problem in polyploid phylogenetics, applied to Poa grasses Philippa C Griffin, Charles Robin, Ary A Hoffmann BMC Biology 2011, 9:19 (23 March 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed
		Research article The scavenging of superoxide radicals promotes apoptosis induced by a novel cell-permeable fusion protein, sTRAIL:FeSOD, in tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-resistant leukemia cells Hongyun Tang, Yong Qin, Jianyong Li, Xingguo Gong BMC Biology 2011, 9:18 (19 March 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed
		Question and Answer Q&A: What is biophysics? Huan-Xiang Zhou BMC Biology 2011, 9:13 (2 March 2011) Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary In a Q&A to mark the relaunch of PMC Biophysics as BMC Biophysics, Huan-Xiang Zhou explains the scope of modern biophysics and its impact on physics as well as on biology.
		Comment Biophysics - whence, whither, wherefore - or Hold that hyphen Walter B Gratzer BMC Biology 2011, 9:12 (2 March 2011) Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| 1 comment \| Editor’s summary In one of two special articles to mark the relaunch of PMC Biophysics as BMC Biophysics, Walter Gratzer takes an eclectic route through the history of the field from lethal experiments with ‘animal electricity’ in the 19th century to Crick and the revolutionary impact of x-ray crystallography.
		Research article Isomin: a novel cytoplasmic intermediate filament protein from an arthropod species Caterina Mencarelli, Silvia Ciolfi, Daniela Caroti, Pietro Lupetti, Romano Dallai BMC Biology 2011, 9:17 (28 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| F1000 Biology \| Editor’s summary Arthropods are generally thought not to bother scaffolding their cells with cytoplasmic intermediate filaments, on account of their external body armour. Mencarelli and colleagues however now report that contrary to received wisdom, a novel intermediate filament bolsters gut cells of the lowly soil springtail.
		Commentary History and phylogeny of intermediate filaments: Now in insects Harald Herrmann, Sergei V Strelkov BMC Biology 2011, 9:16 (28 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary In the light of a BMC Biology paper reporting intermediate filaments in an insect cell, where they were thought not to exist, Herrmann and Strelkov examine the defining criteria for intermediate filaments and discuss their functional versatility.
		Research article Haploinsufficiency and the sex chromosomes from yeasts to humans Michaela de Clare, Pınar Pir, Stephen G Oliver BMC Biology 2011, 9:15 (28 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary Haploinsufficient genes are highly conserved among eukaryotes, and have a special evolutionary relationship with the mating-type chromosomes of yeast and sex chromosomes of humans.
		Research article Evc2 is a positive modulator of Hedgehog signalling that interacts with Evc at the cilia membrane and is also found in the nucleus Helen J Blair, Stuart Tompson, Yu-Ning Liu, Jennifer Campbell, Katie MacArthur, Chris P Ponting, Victor L Ruiz-Perez, Judith A Goodship BMC Biology 2011, 9:14 (28 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed
		Commentary Quantitative imaging strategies pave the way for testable biological concepts Olivier Hamant BMC Biology 2011, 9:10 (25 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary Quantified imaging is providing new insights into development. Olivier Hamant comments on a study in BMC Plant Biology that precisely quantifies cell growth and microtubule behavior in the jigsaw geometry of a leaf.
		Commentary Computational and phylogenetic validation of nematode horizontal gene transfer Elizabeth H Scholl, David Bird BMC Biology 2011, 9:9 (22 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary Horizontal gene transfer from bacteria is suggested to be an important factor in nematode niche adaptation. Scholl and Bird comment on recent BMC Evolutionary Biology research which helps substantiate this hypothesis.
		Research article Resolving the infection process reveals striking differences in the contribution of environment, genetics and phylogeny to host-parasite interactions David Duneau, Pepijn Luijckx, Frida Ben-Ami, Christian Laforsch, Dieter Ebert BMC Biology 2011, 9:11 (22 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central
		Commentary Not just another genome Diethard Tautz BMC Biology 2011, 9:8 (4 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary The genome of Daphnia pulex reveals a surprising number of novel genes compared with other arthropod genomes. Tautz suggests how environmental factors and life-cycle quirks may explain this remarkable genomic plasticity, and consequent rate of adaptation, in Daphnia.
		Commentary Modularity of gene-regulatory networks revealed in sea-star development Carmel McDougall, Bernard M Degnan BMC Biology 2011, 9:6 (31 January 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary A recent study in BMC Biology illustrates how conserved regulatory gene networks pattern sea star and sea urchin embryos. McDougall and Degnan discuss how such networks are emerging as phylogenetic characters that can be redeployed during evolution.
		Research article The activation mechanism of Irga6, an interferon-inducible GTPase contributing to mouse resistance against Toxoplasma gondii Nikolaus Pawlowski, Aliaksandr Khaminets, Julia P Hunn, Natasa Papic, Andreas Schmidt, Revathy C Uthaiah, Rita Lange, Gabriela Vopper, Sascha Martens, Eva Wolf, Jonathan C Howard BMC Biology 2011, 9:7 (28 January 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary The activation mechanism of a GTPase that confers resistance to intracellular parasites reveals surprising similarities with the hydrolytic mechanism of the signal recognition particle and its receptor.
		Methodology article Visualization of protein interactions in living Drosophila embryos by the bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay Bruno Hudry, Séverine Viala, Yacine Graba, Samir Merabet BMC Biology 2011, 9:5 (28 January 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary Hudry and colleagues use bimolecular fluroescence complementation to visualize the interaction of several Hox protein partners in Drosophila embryos, demonstrating the potential of this technology to monitor dynamic protein interactions in vivo.

	All
		Research article Lack of global meiotic sex chromosome inactivation, and paucity of tissue-specific gene expression on the Drosophila X chromosome Lyudmila M Mikhaylova, Dmitry I Nurminsky BMC Biology 2011, 9:29 (4 May 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary X inactivation during meiosis in males is thought to drive observed biases in the location of genes on the sex chromosomes. In Drosophila however the X chromosome seems to remain active in meiosis, suggesting that other forces may be more important.
		Research article Architectures of archaeal GINS complexes, essential DNA replication initiation factors Takuji Oyama, Sonoko Ishino, Seiji Fujino, Hiromi Ogino, Tsuyoshi Shirai, Kouta Mayanagi, Mihoko Saito, Naoko Nagasawa, Yoshizumi Ishino, Kosuke Morikawa BMC Biology 2011, 9:28 (28 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central
		Research article Expression of constitutively active erythropoietin receptor in pyramidal neurons of cortex and hippocampus boosts higher cognitive functions in mice Derya Sargin, Ahmed El-Kordi, Amit Agarwal, Michael Müller, Sonja M Wojcik, Imam Hassouna, Swetlana Sperling, Klaus-Armin Nave, Hannelore Ehrenreich BMC Biology 2011, 9:27 (28 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary Erythropoietin has positive effects on the brain due to blood oxygenation. An additional contribution, via direct action on neurons that express its receptor, is now supported by the superior cognitive performance of transgenic mice that express a constitutively active variant of this receptor in pyramidal neurons.
		Commentary Butterfly eyespot serial homology: enter the Hox genes James Hombría BMC Biology 2011, 9:26 (28 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary Homeotic (Hox) genes specify segmental diversity during early development. Commenting on a recent paper in EvoDevo on the role of the Hox gene Antennapedia in the specification of butterfly eyespots, James Castelli-Gair Hombría speculates on the evolutionary conservation of eyespot development.
		Commentary Promiscuity and preferences of metallothioneins: the cell rules Andrew W Foster, Nigel J Robinson BMC Biology 2011, 9:25 (28 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary Metalloproteins are vital for many cellular functions, but it is not known how they select their specific metal. Commenting on a recent paper in BMC Biology, Foster and Robinson explain the many regulatory factors whereby their preferences may be set or overcome by cells.
		Research article Polyploidization increases meiotic recombination frequency in Arabidopsis Ales Pecinka, Wei Fang, Marc Rehmsmeier, Avraham A Levy, Ortrun Mittelsten Scheid BMC Biology 2011, 9:24 (21 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary In evolutionary terms, polyploidy has both costs and benefits for an organism. Help in quantifying these is given by an elegant assay involving fluorescent Arabidopsis seeds, which shows that polyploids have an elevated rate of meiotic recombination.
		Comment The miswired brain: making connections from neurodevelopment to psychopathology Kevin J Mitchell BMC Biology 2011, 9:23 (12 April 2011) Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary In a brief comment, Kevin Mitchell discusses the implications of the convergence of neuropsychiatric genetics on genes involved in neurodevelopment, outlining the challenge of linking the primary mutations to the final pathology, and explaining how mouse models can help.
		Review Learning to live together: mutualism between self-splicing introns and their hosts David R Edgell, Venkata R Chalamcharla, Marlene Belfort BMC Biology 2011, 9:22 (11 April 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary The relationship between self-splicing introns and hosts is often seen as one of molecular parasitism. Edgell, Chalamcharla and Belfort review ways in which they may actually show cooperation rather than conflict.
		Commentary Toward forward genetic screens in malaria-causing parasites using the piggyBac transposon Brendan S Crabb, Tania F de Koning-Ward, Paul R Gilson BMC Biology 2011, 9:21 (31 March 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed
		Question and Answer Q&A: Who is H. sapiens really, and how do we know? Mason Liang, Rasmus Nielsen BMC Biology 2011, 9:20 (31 March 2011) Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| 1 comment \| Editor’s summary Modern sequencing technology has made it possible to scavenge the DNA of extinct hominin ancestors for evidence of interbreeding with Homo sapiens. Liang and Nielsen examine the evidence, what it tells us and how sure we can be
		Methodology article A next-generation sequencing method for overcoming the multiple gene copy problem in polyploid phylogenetics, applied to Poa grasses Philippa C Griffin, Charles Robin, Ary A Hoffmann BMC Biology 2011, 9:19 (23 March 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed
		Research article The scavenging of superoxide radicals promotes apoptosis induced by a novel cell-permeable fusion protein, sTRAIL:FeSOD, in tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-resistant leukemia cells Hongyun Tang, Yong Qin, Jianyong Li, Xingguo Gong BMC Biology 2011, 9:18 (19 March 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed
		Question and Answer Q&A: What is biophysics? Huan-Xiang Zhou BMC Biology 2011, 9:13 (2 March 2011) Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary In a Q&A to mark the relaunch of PMC Biophysics as BMC Biophysics, Huan-Xiang Zhou explains the scope of modern biophysics and its impact on physics as well as on biology.
		Comment Biophysics - whence, whither, wherefore - or Hold that hyphen Walter B Gratzer BMC Biology 2011, 9:12 (2 March 2011) Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| 1 comment \| Editor’s summary In one of two special articles to mark the relaunch of PMC Biophysics as BMC Biophysics, Walter Gratzer takes an eclectic route through the history of the field from lethal experiments with ‘animal electricity’ in the 19th century to Crick and the revolutionary impact of x-ray crystallography.
		Research article Isomin: a novel cytoplasmic intermediate filament protein from an arthropod species Caterina Mencarelli, Silvia Ciolfi, Daniela Caroti, Pietro Lupetti, Romano Dallai BMC Biology 2011, 9:17 (28 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| F1000 Biology \| Editor’s summary Arthropods are generally thought not to bother scaffolding their cells with cytoplasmic intermediate filaments, on account of their external body armour. Mencarelli and colleagues however now report that contrary to received wisdom, a novel intermediate filament bolsters gut cells of the lowly soil springtail.
		Commentary History and phylogeny of intermediate filaments: Now in insects Harald Herrmann, Sergei V Strelkov BMC Biology 2011, 9:16 (28 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary In the light of a BMC Biology paper reporting intermediate filaments in an insect cell, where they were thought not to exist, Herrmann and Strelkov examine the defining criteria for intermediate filaments and discuss their functional versatility.
		Research article Haploinsufficiency and the sex chromosomes from yeasts to humans Michaela de Clare, Pınar Pir, Stephen G Oliver BMC Biology 2011, 9:15 (28 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central \| Editor’s summary Haploinsufficient genes are highly conserved among eukaryotes, and have a special evolutionary relationship with the mating-type chromosomes of yeast and sex chromosomes of humans.
		Research article Evc2 is a positive modulator of Hedgehog signalling that interacts with Evc at the cilia membrane and is also found in the nucleus Helen J Blair, Stuart Tompson, Yu-Ning Liu, Jennifer Campbell, Katie MacArthur, Chris P Ponting, Victor L Ruiz-Perez, Judith A Goodship BMC Biology 2011, 9:14 (28 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed
		Commentary Quantitative imaging strategies pave the way for testable biological concepts Olivier Hamant BMC Biology 2011, 9:10 (25 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary Quantified imaging is providing new insights into development. Olivier Hamant comments on a study in BMC Plant Biology that precisely quantifies cell growth and microtubule behavior in the jigsaw geometry of a leaf.
		Commentary Computational and phylogenetic validation of nematode horizontal gene transfer Elizabeth H Scholl, David Bird BMC Biology 2011, 9:9 (22 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary Horizontal gene transfer from bacteria is suggested to be an important factor in nematode niche adaptation. Scholl and Bird comment on recent BMC Evolutionary Biology research which helps substantiate this hypothesis.
		Research article Resolving the infection process reveals striking differences in the contribution of environment, genetics and phylogeny to host-parasite interactions David Duneau, Pepijn Luijckx, Frida Ben-Ami, Christian Laforsch, Dieter Ebert BMC Biology 2011, 9:11 (22 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Cited on BioMed Central
		Commentary Not just another genome Diethard Tautz BMC Biology 2011, 9:8 (4 February 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary The genome of Daphnia pulex reveals a surprising number of novel genes compared with other arthropod genomes. Tautz suggests how environmental factors and life-cycle quirks may explain this remarkable genomic plasticity, and consequent rate of adaptation, in Daphnia.
		Commentary Modularity of gene-regulatory networks revealed in sea-star development Carmel McDougall, Bernard M Degnan BMC Biology 2011, 9:6 (31 January 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary A recent study in BMC Biology illustrates how conserved regulatory gene networks pattern sea star and sea urchin embryos. McDougall and Degnan discuss how such networks are emerging as phylogenetic characters that can be redeployed during evolution.
		Research article The activation mechanism of Irga6, an interferon-inducible GTPase contributing to mouse resistance against Toxoplasma gondii Nikolaus Pawlowski, Aliaksandr Khaminets, Julia P Hunn, Natasa Papic, Andreas Schmidt, Revathy C Uthaiah, Rita Lange, Gabriela Vopper, Sascha Martens, Eva Wolf, Jonathan C Howard BMC Biology 2011, 9:7 (28 January 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary The activation mechanism of a GTPase that confers resistance to intracellular parasites reveals surprising similarities with the hydrolytic mechanism of the signal recognition particle and its receptor.
		Methodology article Visualization of protein interactions in living Drosophila embryos by the bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay Bruno Hudry, Séverine Viala, Yacine Graba, Samir Merabet BMC Biology 2011, 9:5 (28 January 2011) Abstract \| Full text \| PDF \| PubMed \| Editor’s summary Hudry and colleagues use bimolecular fluroescence complementation to visualize the interaction of several Hox protein partners in Drosophila embryos, demonstrating the potential of this technology to monitor dynamic protein interactions in vivo.