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."
Stimulating Spam
April 09, 2009
Jonathan Eisen has been keeping an eye on a new kind of e-mail that has been appearing in his inbox -- "science stimulus spam." On his blog, he posts excerpts from three different companies that in their e-mails extol their respective virtues and say they are there to help you. They also want part of your stimulus money, but it doesn't look like they come out and say it that baldly.