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.
LabCorp Posts 3.6-Percent Rise in Q2 Revenue, Plans to ‘Advance’ Its ‘Personalized Medicine’ Play
LabCorp this morning reported that second-quarter revenue increased 3.6 percent to around $1.2 billion atop a 2.4-percent rise in testing volume.
Excluding the consolidation of its joint venture in Ontario, Canada, revenue would have increased 4.3 during the period atop 1.6-percent rise in testing volume.
For the three months ended June 30, selling, general, and administrative costs fell to $237.3 million from $266 million in the year-ago period.
LabCorp said net earnings for the quarter rose to $136.4 million from $104.2 million year over year, and included $10.2 million in pre-tax restructuring and other costs associated with its closing of “redundant and underutilized facilities.”
"We will continue to focus on our priorities of gaining new customers, maintaining price, and controlling costs while advancing our leadership in personalized medicine," CEO David King said in a statement.
LabCorp said it had around $226.6 million in cash and short-term investments as of June 30.
The company said it expects 2009 revenue to grow by 4 percent over 2008, exclusive of whatever Monogram Biosciences brings to the table. LabCorp in June announced it plans to acquire Monogram for $107 million. Today, the company said it expects to close the acquisition during the third quarter.
This is how LabCorp's principal rival Quest Diagnostics faired during the second quarter.