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.
A Little Bit for You, Some for You, and, Yes, You Too
February 19, 2009
With its $8.2 billion from the stimulus package nearly in hand, the NIH says the money will mainly fund grant applications they have already received and will supplement existing grants. A smaller portion of the pie will go to funding new "challenge grants" that would award $500,000 a year for two years and be subject to stringent reporting requirements. According to Science Insider, acting director Raynard Kington says that "that NIH would be 'embarrassed' if institutions did not spend the money or boost their local economies."