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The generation of functional genomics datasets is surging, because they provide insight into gene regulation and organismal phenotypes (e.g., genes upregulated in cancer). The intent behind functional genomics experiments is not necessarily to study genetic variants, yet they pose privacy concerns due to their use of next-generation sequencing. Moreover, there is a great incentive to broadly share raw reads for better statistical power and general research reproducibility. Thus, we need new modes of sharing beyond traditional controlled-access models. Here, we develop a data-sanitization procedure allowing raw functional genomics reads to be shared while minimizing privacy leakage, enabling principled privacy-utility trade-offs. Our protocol works with traditional Illumina-based assays and newer technologies such as 10x single-cell RNA sequencing. It involves quantifying the privacy leakage in reads by statistically linking study participants to known individuals. We carried out these linkages using data from highly accurate reference genomes and more realistic environmental samples.Persistent cancer cells are the discrete and usually undetected cells that survive cancer drug treatment and constitute a major cause of treatment failure. These cells are characterized by their slow proliferation, highly flexible energy consumption, adaptation to their microenvironment, and phenotypic plasticity. Mechanisms that underlie their persistence offer highly coveted and sought-after therapeutic targets, and include diverse epigenetic, transcriptional, and translational regulatory processes, as well as complex cell-cell interactions. Although the successful clinical targeting of persistent cancer cells remains to be realized, immense progress has been made in understanding their persistence, yielding promising preclinical results.In this issue of Cell, Liu et al. present FucoID, a glycosyltransferase-mediated tagging platform, to biochemically label and capture antigen-specific T cells. PS-1145 With this technology, the authors isolate and characterize tumor-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells in murine tumor models. FucoID shows promise as a tool to enhance the understanding of anti-tumor immune responses.In this issue of Cell, Gouwens et al. establish the state of the art for defining inhibitory cell types in the mouse neocortex. By combining morphological, electrophysiological, and transcriptomic features to classify interneurons in the mouse visual cortex, this work provides a roadmap for understanding the diversity of cell types and their functional role in cortical computations.Immune checkpoints are key regulatory mechanisms integral to the maintenance of self-tolerance and execution of antigen-specific immune responses. In recent years, they have been leveraged to treat both autoimmune disease and various forms of cancer with much success. This SnapShot illustrates known immune checkpoint interactions in APC-mediated T cell modulation. To view this SnapShot, open or download the PDF.Strategies for installing authentic ADP-ribosylation (ADPr) at desired positions are fundamental for creating the tools needed to explore this elusive post-translational modification (PTM) in essential cellular processes. Here, we describe a phospho-guided chemoenzymatic approach based on the Ser-ADPr writer complex for rapid, scalable preparation of a panel of pure, precisely modified peptides. Integrating this methodology with phage display technology, we have developed site-specific as well as broad-specificity antibodies to mono-ADPr. These recombinant antibodies have been selected and characterized using multiple ADP-ribosylated peptides and tested by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence for their ability to detect physiological ADPr events. Mono-ADPr proteomics and poly-to-mono comparisons at the modification site level have revealed the prevalence of mono-ADPr upon DNA damage and illustrated its dependence on PARG and ARH3. These and future tools created on our versatile chemical biology-recombinant antibody platform have broad potential to elucidate ADPr signaling pathways in health and disease.Ependymoma is the third most common pediatric tumor with posterior fossa group A (PFA) being its most aggressive subtype. Ependymomas are generally refractory to chemotherapies and thus lack any effective treatment. Here, we report that elevated expression of CXorf67 (chromosome X open reading frame 67), which frequently occurs in PFA ependymomas, suppresses homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA repair. Mechanistically, CXorf67 interacts with PALB2 and inhibits PALB2-BRCA2 interaction, thereby inhibiting HR repair. Concordantly, tumor cells with high CXorf67 expression levels show increased sensitivity to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, especially when combined with radiotherapy. Thus, our findings have revealed a role of CXorf67 in HR repair and suggest that combination of PARP inhibitors with radiotherapy could be an effective treatment option for PFA ependymomas.Metastases account for most cancer-related deaths, yet the mechanisms underlying metastatic spread remain poorly understood. Recent evidence demonstrates that senescent cells, while initially restricting tumorigenesis, can induce tumor progression. Here, we identify the metalloproteinase inhibitor TIMP1 as a molecular switch that determines the effects of senescence in prostate cancer. Senescence driven either by PTEN deficiency or chemotherapy limits the progression of prostate cancer in mice. TIMP1 deletion allows senescence to promote metastasis, and elimination of senescent cells with a senolytic BCL-2 inhibitor impairs metastasis. Mechanistically, TIMP1 loss reprograms the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of senescent tumor cells through activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Loss of PTEN and TIMP1 in prostate cancer is frequent and correlates with resistance to docetaxel and worst clinical outcomes in patients treated in an adjuvant setting. Altogether, these findings provide insights into the dual roles of tumor-associated senescence and can potentially impact the treatment of prostate cancer.