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.
Earnings Up, But Not to Expectations
February 13, 2012
The Laboratory Corporation of America marked a three percent increase in earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011, reports the Associated Press. LabCorp's net income for Q4 was $135.4 million, or $1.34 per share, as compared to $131.8 million, or $1.26 per share, for 2010. "The adjusted earnings topped Wall Street estimates, but the revenue figure was slightly below Wall Street expectations and its forecast for 2012 revenue was short of estimates," the AP notes. The Sample's sister publication GenomeWeb Daily News has more here.