Cover image

Cover Star fields symbolize gene expression patterns within two individuals of different ages. The change in the pattern of stars indicates age-related changes in the levels of different transcript isoforms through alternative splicing. The neurons in the background allude to the similarity between changes in gene expression patterns in the human brain associated with aging and neurodegeneration. A hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases is the formation of inclusion bodies, which are also represented in the aged individual by the appearance of larger star clusters. (Cover illustration by James Tollervey, inspired by the art of Christopher Bucklow [http://chrisbucklow.com]. Neuron image courtesy of Paul De Koninck, Laval University [www.greenspine.net]. [For details, see Tollervey et al., pp. 1572–1582.])