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."
Big Blue and the Genome
October 06, 2009
IBM is getting in on the $1,000 genome race — and plan to bring that cost even lower, to $100. The company's approach is based on what it calls "DNA transistor," reports the New York Times. (Our sister publication GenomeWeb Daily News covers this here.) IBM plans to develop a silicon-based system containing a million nanopores through which DNA can be ratcheted to sequence a genome in a few hours. "To bring about an era of personalized medicine, it isn't enough to know the DNA of an average person," says IBM's Gustavo Stolovitzky. "As a community, it became clear we need to make efforts to sequence in a way that is fast and cheap." However, Elaine Mardis tells the Times that previous attempts to develop a silicon-based nanopore system didn't pan out. "DNA strands seem to have a mind of their own," she says.