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."
Discussing Decode
November 25, 2009
It was a confluence of technology, timing, and the economy that led to Decode Genetics' filing for bankruptcy last, says this Nature News post-mortem. The article also warns that personal genomics companies, like Decode's DecodeMe, may also be in trouble as the "services are not seen as a medical necessity." At his blog, Misha Angrist adds what Daniel MacArthur characterizes as "a very brief but eloquent rant." Angrist says the Nature News article is "still trotting out the same tired tropes." He adds: "Just because something is not a medical necessity, does it follow that it is worthless?"