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.
Despite $1.1M in Incentives, LabCorp Mum on Expanding in Burlington
After LabCorp succeeded in securing $1.1 million in local government cash incentives to expand in Burlington, NC, the lab giant has made no promises that it would do so in the city, its hometown.
Burlington last month swiftly approved the incentives, which will be doled out over four years.
The deal, which does not include new hires, was for LabCorp to use the incentive to add a $27.6-million, 110,000-square-foot lab building at its York Court campus in the city. The incentives represent 2 percent of LabCorp’s $27.6-million expansion investment.
But a local news report said that "company officials wouldn’t say for certain" that it will expand in Burlington. The report said LabCorp will make a final decision but did not say when that decision will be made — even as construction is expected to wrap up by December 2011.
The lab is also considering expansing in Gilford, near Greensboro, a short drive to the west from Burlington.
According to the report, Burlington's incentive policy "requires existing companies [to] invest at least $1.5 million in building expansions or equipment to qualify for tax breaks or payouts." The city doesn’t require new jobs to pay incentives.
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