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."
Diversification is a Good Thing
January 13, 2009
Daniel MacArthur follows up on Steven Pinker's NYT story about having his genome sequenced with a blog post on the diversification of consumer genomics. All four of the current consumer genomics companies have staked their claim, with 23andMe focusing on fun, deCodeMe on academics, Navigenics on medical accuracy, and Knome on boutique offering. A newcomer mentioned by Pinker piques MacArthur's curiosity: Counsyl, whose "universal carrier screen" will check parents to see if they carry genes that put their children at risk for more than a hundred serious diseases like cystic fibrosis and alpha thalassemia. "There's virtually no information out there in the public domain about Counsyl beyond a basic teaser site, but Pinker's description would suggest a new participant in the consumer genomics arena that falls heavily at the ‘medical’ end of the spectrum," MacArthur writes.