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."
To Buy or Not to Buy
December 04, 2009
At Forbes's Science Business blog Matthew Herper wonders whether Amgen should acquire Human Genome Sciences. Biotech analyst Geoffrey Porges says it should, and that the price tag could be as high as $6.5 billion. Porges points out that Benlysta, Human Genome's lupus drug, is "one of the hotter biotech products" and that Amgen has more to offer Human Genome than GlaxoSmithKline, which has the rights to co-market Benlysta, does. "[Porges] argues that Amgen could do a lot more for Human Genome than Glaxo could, by immediately increasing manufacturing capacity, an existing sales force that visits the rheumatologists and dermatologists," Herper writes.