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."
Myriad Genetics' Lab Head to Retire; Director Steps Down
February 03, 2010
The head of Myriad Genetics' lab business will retire, the company said yesterday, according to a report in the Associated Press.
Greg Critchfield, who has been with the Salt Lake City-based company for 11 years, "will retire … to focus on philanthropy."
He will be replaced by Mark Capone, chief operating officer of the unit. Capone, who has been with Myriad for more than seven years, has been responsible for managing its sales force and laboratory operations.
Meantime, a story in Business Week online said yesterday that Myriad director Mark Skolnick will step down from the board, "but will remain with the company as a part-time employee in the capacity of senior scientist emeritus." He has been a director of the company since 1991.
The departures were reported as part of the company's fiscal second-quarter earning release. Here's a GenomeWeb News brief on that report, as well as its article on the latest development in the ACLU's lawsuit against Myriad and the US Patent and Trademark Office over its BRCA1 and 2 gene patents.