Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Peterman et al. (dmm049911 ) use cutaneous injury models to identify interactions between resident immune cells (cyan) and somatosensory axons (depth-coded) in the epidermis of adult zebrafish, providing a powerful model for dissecting mechanisms potentially altered in peripheral neuropathies. Image courtesy of Eric Peterman. Cover image is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license .
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EDITORIAL
DMM Outstanding Paper Prize 2022 winners: Tamihiro Kamata, Jennifer K. Sargent and Mark A. Warner
Summary: DMM announces the winners of the DMM Outstanding Paper Prize for Research and Resource articles published in 2022.
PERSPECTIVE
Maximizing biomedical research impacts through bioethical considerations
Summary: Integrating bioethical frameworks and methodologies with biomedical research can have a key positive influence on the research's societal outcomes.
REVIEWS
Intestinal barrier dysfunction: an evolutionarily conserved hallmark of aging
Summary: Studies in model organisms have shown that age-onset intestinal barrier dysfunction is linked to systemic health decline. Targeting intestinal barrier integrity is, therefore, a promising approach to prolong health span.
Evolution and immunopathology of chikungunya virus informs therapeutic development
Summary: Although chikungunya virus (CHIKV) cases are rising globally, therapeutic options remain extremely limited. Here, we provide an overview of CHIKV pathogenesis and explore recent advances in strategies to prevent and treat infections.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Antimicrobial peptides do not directly contribute to aging in Drosophila, but improve lifespan by preventing dysbiosis
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides are important immune molecules to fight microbes that are upregulated upon aging. Our results suggest that their upregulation upon aging is likely a consequence of aging, rather than a cause.
Genetic dissection of triplicated chromosome 21 orthologs yields varying skeletal traits in Down syndrome model mice
Summary: A Down syndrome mouse mapping panel shows that triplicated Dyrk1a plays a sex-specific role in some skeletal phenotypes. Triplicated genes may interact and cause improved or worsened skeletal measurements.
PRDM1 DNA-binding zinc finger domain is required for normal limb development and is disrupted in split hand/foot malformation
Editor's choice: Zebrafish Prdm1a proline/serine-rich and zinc finger domains are required to regulate fin induction, outgrowth and anterior/posterior patterning. Human PRDM1 variants containing disruptions in these domains cause split hand/foot malformation.
Upregulation of Tribbles decreases body weight and increases sleep duration
Summary: In vivo analysis in Drosophila, combined with in silico analysis of human genetic variants, reveals that Tribbles, which is involved with cell growth and division, metabolism, inflammation and cancer, also controls body weight and sleep.
Probing the pathogenicity of patient-derived variants of MT-ATP6 in yeast
Summary: Yeast studies provide biochemical data arguing for the pathogenicity of m.8950G>A, m.9025G>A and m.9029A>G, and neutral character of m.8843T>C, m.9016A>G, m.9058A>G, m.9139G>A and m.9160T>C, variants in MT-ATP6.
Mechanistic studies in Drosophila and chicken give new insights into functions of DVL1 in dominant Robinow syndrome
Summary: Mutations affecting the C-terminus of DVL1, a protein involved in Robinow syndrome, alter the balance of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling in the chicken limb and Drosophila wing.
Overexpression screen of chromosome 21 genes reveals modulators of Sonic hedgehog signaling relevant to Down syndrome
Summary: Human chromosome 21 genes modulate Sonic hedgehog signaling, a pathway essential for organ development that is dysregulated in Down syndrome.
Fibroblast-derived EGF ligand neuregulin 1 induces fetal-like reprogramming of the intestinal epithelium without supporting tumorigenic growth
Summary: Pathways involved in regenerative responses may also promote tumorigenesis; however, the fibroblast-derived EGF ligand neuregulin 1 protects the intestinal epithelium from injury, but does not support tumorigenic growth.
Zebrafish cutaneous injury models reveal that Langerhans cells engulf axonal debris in adult epidermis
Summary: We introduce new models for studying axon degeneration with high spatiotemporal resolution, revealing that skin-resident immune cells known as Langerhans cells engulf axonal debris in zebrafish skin.
Therapeutic targeting of vascular malformation in a zebrafish model of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
Summary: The vascular abnormalities in a zebrafish genetic model of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia were prevented by synergistic inhibition of the MEK and mTOR pathways downstream of Vegf, suggesting a potential novel therapeutic approach.
RESOURCE ARTICLE
The Mouse Models of Human Cancer database (MMHCdb)
Summary: The Mouse Models of Human Cancer database (MMHCdb) is a comprehensive resource for knowledge about diverse in vivo mouse models of human cancer.
FIRST PERSON
PREPRINT HIGHLIGHTS
DMM Journal Meeting 2024: Pre-clinical Modelling of Human Genetic Disease and Therapy

Registration is now open for our 2024 Journal Meeting. Rapid advances in gene editing and genetic technologies have revolutionised our ability to model human genetic disease and provided new hope for gene therapies. At this Meeting, we will present the very latest advances in modelling human genetic disease.
A new call for papers is underway

Showcase your latest research in our upcoming special issue Translating Multiscale Research in Rare Disease, coordinated by DMM Editors Monica Justice, Karen Liu and Monkol Lek, and Guest Editor Kate Rauen. The deadline for submitting articles to the special issue is Monday 6 November 2023.
Moving towards heart success – Disease Models & Mechanisms Special Issue

DMM's most recent special issue compiles articles that aim to move heart failure to heart success by fundamentally addressing the roots of failure to identify curative strategies.
Adult zebrafish as advanced models of human disease

Editor-in-Chief Liz Patton and Editorial Board member Rich White discuss the unique advantages of adult zebrafish for studying human disease biology. Read the Open Access Editorial here.
The Forest of Biologists

The Forest of Biologists is a biodiversity initiative created by The Company of Biologists, with support from the Woodland Trust. For every Research and Review article published in Disease Models & Mechanisms a native tree is planted in a UK forest. In addition to this we are protecting and restoring ancient woodland and are dedicating these trees to our peer reviewers. Visit our virtual forest to learn more.