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."
Score One for Open Access
October 06, 2008
Publishing company Springer has acquired BioMed Central, the largest open access publisher with more than 180 peer-reviewed journals. Springer's Derk Haank said in a statement, "This acquisition reinforces the fact that we see open access publishing as a sustainable part of STM publishing, and not an ideological crusade." Over at Open Access News, Peter Suber's already parsing the news, starting with his reasoning that Springer will maintain the open access status of all the BMC journals. He adds that this deal should not be seen "as a sign of BMC's failing health. On the contrary. ... The purchase is a sign of Springer's confidence that BMC will continue its long, steady climb from the red to the black."