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.
Taking on H5N1
January 05, 2007
NIH announced that a vaccine for H5N1 avian flu designed by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has entered clinical trials. The DNA-based vaccine is the first to start human trials, according to NIH. If all goes well with this vaccine, it could help pave the way for development of other DNA-based, rather than virus-based, vaccines.
