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.
SACGHS on Gene Patents
February 05, 2010
The Health and Human Service's Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society is expected to release six recommendations concerning gene patents, reports ScienceInsider. One of the recommendations advises that Congress exempt gene patents from infringement liability, which ScienceInsider says would "potentially allowing anyone to use any gene patent" and that has drawn the ire of some industry folks.
At Patent Docs, Donald Zuhn notes that BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood says that these recommendations "would undermine the U.S. patent system and the Bayh-Dole technology transfer system that have served our nation so well." Former Senator Bayh adds that these changes are trying "to reimpose the failed policies of the past, policies that just didn't work."
