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."
Quality, Not Quantity
June 26, 2009
The US may need to have "fewer but better" top research institutions, the president of the Association of American Universities, Robert Berdahl, says. In February, Berdahl wrote a letter to Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), asking, among other things: "How many research universities does the United States realistically require in order to maintain its agenda of innovation and advanced training?" Alexander and three other members of Congress have now asked the National Academies this week "to study and report on the 'top 10 actions' that the government and research universities could take to maintain the quality of the universities and ensure the nation's economic growth," says the Chronicle of Higher Education.