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.
J&J Chief (Partially) Steps Down
February 22, 2012
Johnson & Johnson's William Weldon is to resign his role as the company's chief executive, reports The New York Times. Weldon will remain chairman. "The news of Mr. Weldon's retirement comes as Johnson & Johnson has struggled to emerge from a swarm of product recalls, manufacturing lapses, and government inquiries that tarnished the name of a company that was once one of the nation's most trusted household brands," the Times says, adding that Weldon took the brunt of the blame. He will be succeeded by Alex Gorsky, who currently leads the company's medical device and diagnostics business.