Sequencing and Analysis of the Hydra Genome
Chapman, Kirkness et al., Nature
An international research collaboration reports their sequencing and analysis of the Hydra magnipapillata genome, and compare it to the genomes of several other organisms. "The Hydra genome has been shaped by bursts of transposable element expansion, horizontal gene transfer, trans-splicing, and simplification of gene structure and gene content that parallel simplification of the Hydra life cycle," the authors write. They team suggests that comparisons of the Hydra genome to the reported sequences of other animals have helped them to elucidate the evolution of several of the organism's characteristics.
Quest Makes No Mention of Esoteric-Testing Results in Q3 Earnings
October 20, 2009
Quest Diagnostics did not mention its esoteric-testing business today when it reported its third-quarter financial results — a noteworthy omission because in July the company attributed its second-quarter revenue gain to its "focus on esoteric and gene-based testing."
Officials may comment on the segment during the firm’s earnings call, which is currently underway.
Reporting its third-quarter results, Quest said total revenue rose 3.9 percent and clinical testing increased 4.3 percent amid a 23-percent drop-off in drugs-of-abuse testing volume. It also said profits during the period jumped 74.5 percent.
Total revenue for the three months ended Sept. 30 rose to $1.9 billion from $1.8 billion in the year-ago period. Quest also said revenue per requisition increased 4.3 percent, while underlying volume in clinical testing, measured by the number of requisitions, “continued to grow” in the quarter. It did not elaborate.
Reported testing volume was unchanged from the prior year and reflected a 23-percent decline in drugs-of-abuse testing volume, “which is sensitive to hiring trends,” and which reduced the company's consolidated volume by 1.7 percent.
In a statement, CEO Surya Mohapatra attributed the revenue rise to “increased demand in testing for cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, allergies and Vitamin D levels.”
Profit for the quarter surged 74.5 percent to $192 million from $110 million. S,G&A spending rose 3 percent to $441.6 million.
The No. 1 reference lab in the US said it had around $247 million as of Sept 30.
Looking ahead, Quest said it expects 2009 revenue to grow 3 percent over 2008.
Earlier this month Quest debuted a PCR-based assay designed to predict response to the anticoagulant Plavix and was granted a second emergency use authorization for a 2009 H1N1 flu test made by its Focus Diagnostics subsidiary.
