Seeing X Chromosomes in a New Light

Fascinating - the gist is that females turn off one of the X chromosomes in each of their cells. Meaning that "that some cells, the father’s goes dormant, and in others, the mother’s does." An except:

While scientists have known about this so-called X-chromosome inactivation for more than five decades, they still know little about the rules it follows, or even how it evolved. 

In the journal Neuron, a team of scientists has unveiled an unprecedented view of X-chromosome inactivation in the body. They found a remarkable complexity to the pattern in which the chromosomes were switched on and off. 

At the same time, each copy of the X chromosome contains versions of genes not found on its partner. So having two X chromosomes gives females more genetic diversity than males, with their single X chromosome. Because of that, females have a genetic complexity that scientists are only starting to understand.

Read more in the NYT.

Thanks, +Claire Richard