Human Genetic Variation Alters Anthrax Toxin Sensitivity
Martchenko, Candille et al., PNAS
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine show that genetic variation affecting capillary morphogenesis gene 2, or CMG2, dramatically alters toxin sensitivity in humans. In its analysis, the team reports on "a CMG2 single-nucleotide polymorphism occurring frequently in African and European populations [that they found] independently altered toxin uptake." The group goes on to suggest "testing of genomically characterized human cell populations may offer a broadly useful strategy for elucidating effects of genetic variation on infectious disease susceptibility."
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September 03, 2010
NIH has awarded some grants for biomedical research at the International Space Station, reports Technology Review's Brittany Sauser on the Delta-V blog. NIH and NASA are teaming up to learn more about health issues in microgravity. The research will include experiments on the effects of bacteria and other microorganisms that have been shown to become more virulent in space, and the effects of prolonged space travel on astronauts' bones, Sauser says. The experiments will begin here on Earth, and then researchers will prepare them for launch and work with astronauts to continue them on the space station.