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 2023: Infectious Diseases Through an Evolutionary Lens

The abstract submission deadline for our 2023 Journal Meeting ‘Infectious Diseases Through an Evolutionary Lens’ is 14 July 2023. Find out more and register 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.
Propose a new Workshop for 2025

Do you have an idea for a Workshop? If so, click here. We are now accepting proposals for our 2025 Workshops programme. As the scientific organiser, your involvement will be focused on the science. We'll take care of all the logistics. In 2025 we'll continue our efforts to diversify our Workshop programme and will be reserving one of our Workshops for an application from a Global South country to host an event overseas.
How stromal cells restrict liver cancer invasion

In our recent editor’s choice, Liqin Zhu and colleagues describe how they used in vitro liver spheroid models consisting of both parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells to reveal a hepatoprotective role for peritumoral hepatic stellate cells in liver tumorigenesis.
And from perspective… Hacking haematopoiesis – emerging tools for examining variant effects

Thousands of genomic loci have been linked to hematopoietic traits and diseases, yet many await functional validation. Michael Gundry and Vijay G. Sankaran discuss recent advances in genome editing and the challenges associated with using these techniques to assess variant function in primary hematopoietic cells. a celebration of the achievements of female scientists, and a call to action for a culture shift in science.