Editorials in 2013

Methods to sequence the DNA and RNA of single cells are poised to transform many areas of biology and medicine.

The dangers of phototoxicity in fluorescence microscopy experiments are too often ignored.

A narrative can effectively communicate scientific information. But when telling a perfect story becomes an end in itself, the scientific process can be easily compromised.

Wording criticism constructively is important before and after publication.

Sound experimental design and analysis require improved statistical training.

To correctly interpret human genetic variation in hereditary disorders, researchers and clinicians should populate databases that distribute aggregated information on the clinical significance of these variants.

Like software before it, open-source hardware promises to encourage collaborative tinkering and promote access to innovative technologies.

Obtaining anatomical maps and molecular information of brain circuits and their activity patterns in relation to specific behaviors is instrumental to understanding brain function.

New reporting standards for Nature journal authors are intended to improve transparency and reproducibility.

European and US initiatives aiming to improve our understanding of the brain will require important leaps in technological development.

Methods for targeted genome editing are developing at a fast pace. Are there barriers to their widespread use in research?

The online versions of published research articles can challenge the prevalence of the offline PDF but will require added effort by authors and journals.

New method and tool developments are helping to bring targeted proteome analysis technologies to a broader array of biologists.