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This article discusses the appropriation of Soviet science in Romania during the late 1940s. To achieve this, I discuss various publications on biology, anthropology, heredity and genetics. In a climate of major political change, following the end of the Second World War, all scientific fields in Romania were gradually subjected to political pressures to adapt and change according to a new ideological context. Yet the adoption of Soviet science during the late 1940s was not a straightforward process of scientific acculturation. Whilst the deference to Soviet authors remained consistent through most of Romanian scientific literature at the time, what is perhaps less visible is the attempt to refashion Romanian science itself in order to serve the country's new political imaginary and social transformation. Some Romanian biologists and physicians embraced Soviet scientific theories as a demonstration of their loyalty to the newly established regime. Others, however, were remained committed to local and Western scientific traditions they deemed essential to the survival of their discipline. A critical reassessment of the late 1940s is essential to an understanding of these dissensions as well as of the overall political and institutional constraints shaping the development of a new politics of science in communist Romania., (Crown Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The Elizabeth W. Jones Award for Excellence in Education recognizes an individual who has had a significant impact on genetics education at any education level. Seth R. Bordenstein, Ph.D., Centennial Professor of Biological Sciences at Vanderbilt University and Founding Director of the Vanderbilt Microbiome Initiative, is the 2020 recipient in recognition of his cofounding, developing, and expanding Discover the Microbes Within! The Wolbachia Project., (Copyright © 2020 by the Genetics Society of America.)

As biodiversity loss continues to accelerate, there is a critical need for education and biomonitoring across the globe. Portable technologies allow for in situ molecular biodiversity monitoring that has been historically out of reach for many researchers in habitat nations. In the realm of education, portable tools such as DNA sequencers facilitate in situ hands-on training in real-time sequencing and interpretation techniques. Here, we provide step-by-step protocols as a blueprint for a terrestrial conservation genetics field training program that uses low-cost, portable devices to conduct genomics-based training directly in biodiverse habitat countries., Competing Interests: I have read the journal's policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: There is an ongoing collaboration between Field Projects International and Inkaterra Hotels to repeat a genomics-based field conservation program again in Peru. In this case, the program fees will cover airfare and room/board for any instructors, including the authors, and possibly provide minimal compensation if funds permit.

Addgene (www.addgene.org) is a nonprofit organization that facilitates biomedical research and discovery by improving access to useful research materials and information. To fulfill this mission, Addgene works with hundreds of laboratories all over the world to collect high-quality published plasmids and data for the repository that can then be distributed to academic institutions and used to further research. Biological resource centers such as Addgene are an important part of the scientific infrastructure. They play a key role in helping scientists overcome logistical barriers to sharing, improving experimental reproducibility, and optimizing use of limited resources., Competing Interests: I am an employee of Addgene.

Background: It is considered general knowledge among physicians and epidemiologists that biological and social aspects associated with being male or female have a strong influence on health and disease. Integrating these aspects into research is necessary to counteract the problems--including ethical problems--resulting from a different evidence basis for men and women. From January 2011 to June 2014 the Federal Ministry of Education and Research supported the network "Sex-/Gender-Sensitive Research in Epidemiology, Neuroscience and Genetics/Cancer Research" with three subprojects, which aimed to promote gender-sensitive research practices. The concepts and results are presented in this article., Methods: The subproject gathered data (literature analyses, questionnaires) and offered programs for young scientists. Experiences and results were collected and generalized, for instance, in the form of definitions of terms., Results: 50 young scientists have taken part in the training program, identifying associations and barriers in sex-/gender-sensitive research. Among others, a working definition for "sex-/gender-sensitive research" was developed, as well as definitions for the terms "sex-specific" (for biological characteristics that are specific to men or women) and "sex-/gender-dependent" or "sex-/gender-associated" (for biological and social factors, for which the extent of occurrence differs between the sexes)., Preliminary Assessment: The concepts realized by the network are well suited to stimulate further development and discussions. The definition of terms is an important base for a productive and high-yielding interdisciplinary collaboration.

Competing Interests: The author has declared that no competing interests exist.

The International Congresses have played an important role in the history of genetics. The Eighth International Congress, which in 1948 was held in Sweden, celebrated the conclusion of the war against Nazism and many new decisive scientific advances. It also signaled a hardening of the fight against Lysenkoism, which was growing in strength in the Soviet Union. A rare document is available from the Congress--an amateur film made by a young delegate, Nils Nybom. With its help a living description can be given of the scientific and political melees in which the delegates were involved.

Large-scale, population-based studies of genetic epidemiology are under way or planned in several countries, including the UK. The results will have many implications for GPs and their patients. Primary care has much to contribute to this research, and basing genetic epidemiology studies in primary care will confer several advantages. These include enhanced public engagement, building on the personal relationships and trust that are at the core of primary care practice; methodological factors that will strengthen study design; and the potential of linkage of multiple datasets and between networks of research practices. Essential development work with primary care professionals and the public is, however, required for this to happen, and, if undertaken, this work will have the additional important benefit of increasing the uptake of new knowledge into general practice.

Understanding that phylogenies depict the evolutionary history of species is a critical concept for undergraduate biology students. We present an inquiry-based laboratory exercise exploring this concept in the context of the human phylogeny. This activity reinforces several important biological concepts and skills. Bolstered concepts include that evolution is descent with modification, that evolution is a genetic process, and that humans are closely related to apes. In terms of thinking skills, the lab gives students practice with hypothetical-deductive thinking, quantifying patterns from complex data, and evaluating evidence.

The long civilization of China traces its origin to the development of agriculture. Early records and archaeological findings demonstrate the success of plant and animal breeding in contributing to human livelihood and the national economy. Teaching and research in modern genetics began in China in the 1920s with individuals who received advanced training in the West. Over the following 30 years, notable contributions to genetics, both basic and applied, were made by Chinese scientists in universities and research institutions. Unfortunately, these activities were brought to a virtual standstill first by the official advocacy of Lysenkoism, followed by ten years of Cultural Revolution. Schools were closed and scientific research was interrupted. Not until 1978 did the universities begin to enroll new students and scientific research, including genetics, again receive endorsement. Since then, Chinese scientists have resumed contacts with colleagues in other countries and publication of their research findings in national and international journals. The material summarized in this article covers a long time span and a broad spectrum of scientific subjects and events. Representative examples of Chinese contributions to various areas of genetics are cited to depict the history, current status, and prospects for the development of genetics in China. After many ups and downs and despite limitations in material resources, the study of genetics in China seems to be on a sound footing, with a relatively complete system in place for training workers in this discipline.

Genetic Epidemiology is a discipline which studies the incidence of diseases among the population, trying to quantify at the same time the individual risk of developing them. In Oncology, it is based on the analysis of the patients genealogies and on the study of the polymorphisms in their DNA with specific markers. Its operation requires a laboratory duly equipped with the techniques of Molecular Biology, a section responsible of data collection regarding patients and relatives and another area for the computer processing of data and results. Its funding shall be through public agencies, but the private companies related with this field must be aware of the need to participate in these projects.