Sequencing and Analysis of the Hydra Genome
Chapman, Kirkness et al., Nature
An international research collaboration reports their sequencing and analysis of the Hydra magnipapillata genome, and compare it to the genomes of several other organisms. "The Hydra genome has been shaped by bursts of transposable element expansion, horizontal gene transfer, trans-splicing, and simplification of gene structure and gene content that parallel simplification of the Hydra life cycle," the authors write. They team suggests that comparisons of the Hydra genome to the reported sequences of other animals have helped them to elucidate the evolution of several of the organism's characteristics.
Pfizer Licensing Deal with WARF Allows Firm to Develop hESC-based Therapies, Discovery Tools
The agreement is the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation's 35th licensing deal with its 27th corporate partner for its IP portfolio related to isolating and differentiating hESCs. Pfizer is also the largest company and only pure-play pharma that WARF has disclosed as a licensee.
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