Top advances in functional genomics and translational biology for 2014.

Abstract

Over the past several years, the development of new technologies and techniques has continuously accelerated the pace of discovery and translation in cardiovascular genetics research and the year 2014 turned out to be no exception. Many of the great scientific advances done in the year 2014 were characterized by being multidisciplinary collaborative efforts using an array skillsets and knowledge aiming to increase our understanding of molecular, cellular, and genetic determinants of cardiovascular disease, drug responses, and patient outcomes. The American Heart Association Functional Genomics and Translational Biology Council (www.my.americanheart.org/fgtbcouncil) provides an international and multidisciplinary platform for advancing discoveries from genetics, systems, and translational biology and facilitates their application in global cardiovascular health and disease to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. With input from the Early Career Committee of the Council of Functional Genomics and Translational Biology, we considered many great advances published during 2014 and selected 10 outstanding ones. In this Special Report, we summarize these advances. The scientific understanding of how cells respond to environmental changes and maintain a dynamic equilibrium took a large leap forward with the discovery of large intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs). These key regulators of cellular processes are defined as nonprotein coding transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides whose identification has been made possible by advances in RNA sequencing. Han et al1 identified a family of such lincRNA transcripts in the Myh6/7 locus of normally functioning myocytes, which they named myosin heavy-chain–associated RNA transcripts (Mhrts). These lincRNAs were present in myocardium but not endocardium or epicardium by in situ RNA analysis, and were reduced in response to stress, such as transverse aortic constriction. The authors demonstrated a cardioprotective effect of this lincRNA by inducing expression of Mhrt779 (the most abundant of the family of lincRNAs identified at the locus) at the …