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."
The Bowels of FDA
January 14, 2010
If you’ve wondered about the inner workings of FDA, there’s a new spot on their website that introduces just what FDA does. According to NPR, this site is part of FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg’s three-phase plan to make the agency more transparent. This first phase is public outreach and coming up will be efforts to keep the public informed on daily activities at FDA and then to have information for industries that FDA regulates.