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 Possible Cut
February 16, 2012
Part of the payroll tax cut agreement between the US House of Representatives and the Senate affects clinical labs. According to Bloomberg Businessweek, the current plan includes a 2 percent cut in Medicare payments to clinical labs in 2013. Additionally, Goldman Sachs'Isaac Ro says in a research note on the pending legislation that "we believe that these potential unexpected cuts highlight ongoing pricing risk to the US clinical lab industry in an environment centered on austerity and reducing healthcare costs."