Connection Between Epigenome, Selective Mutability, Evolution, and Human Disease
Li, Harris et al., PLoS Genetics
Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine and elsewhere propose a "connection between the epigenome, selective mutability, evolution, and human disease" based on the findings of their study on associations of structural mutability with germline DNA methylation and with non-allelic homologous recombination mediated by low-copy repeats. "Combined evidence from four human sperm methylome maps, human genome evolution, structural polymorphisms in the human population, and previous genomic and disease studies consistently points to a strong association of germline hypomethylation and genomic instability," the Baylor-led team writes.
Is $10,000 Significant?
May 11, 2009
The US National Institutes of Health announced that it is seeking comments on whether or not it should tighten conflict-of-interest standards for researchers receiving NIH grants, reports Science Insider. According to the Federal Register (PDF), NIH is particularly interested in hearing about expanding the scope of regulation and disclosure, how a "significant financial interest" should be defined, and how to identify and manage institutional-level conflict. Comment deadline is July 7.