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."
Linda Avey Versus the New York Times
March 04, 2010
Over at her blog, Linda Avey, a co-founder of 23andMe who left the company last fall to start an Alzheimer's disease research foundation, is calling out the New York Times' Andrew Pollack. According to Avey, Pollack "has been digging around, looking for dirt and hoping to stir up controversy for a story he's apparently writing about the personal genetics industry." There's no article published yet in the Times – Pollack's newest piece discusses a failed drug trial for an Alzheimer's disease treatment – and Avey doesn't say in her post what Pollack is after. She does, however, admonish Pollack for attacking the "fledgling industry" and says that the goal of 23andMe is "to remove the barriers of access to [genetic] data." Pollack, she writes, could even benefit as these "data-empowered people … may just help lead us into a new age of personalized health." Avey didn't seem to mind the Times' coverage of 23andMe's spit parties, so this has the Daily Scan wondering what Pollack is working on.