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."
'Lab Coat to No Lab Coat'
July 06, 2010
Blogger LabMom at The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love examines children's misconceptions of scientists — as demonstrated by a Fermilab exercise — which she says are formed at a very young age. Cartoon scientists, she says, "influence our kids' ideas much more than even close contact with actual scientists." She adds that the best way to expose children to what scientists are really like is to bring them to the lab, so that they can see for themselves. In the Fermilab experiment, she says, seventh graders were asked to illustrate and describe scientists both before and after a visit to the facility and their drawings shows that "exposure therapy" is efficacious. DrugMonkey's post on the Fermilab project has generated several comments. Becca notes the "lab coat to no-lab-coat" change, while reader Namnezia says "I like how the gender often changes from male to female after the visit," adding that "if the scientist stays male, then he grows a goatee."