Connection Between Epigenome, Selective Mutability, Evolution, and Human Disease
Li, Harris et al., PLoS Genetics
Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine and elsewhere propose a "connection between the epigenome, selective mutability, evolution, and human disease" based on the findings of their study on associations of structural mutability with germline DNA methylation and with non-allelic homologous recombination mediated by low-copy repeats. "Combined evidence from four human sperm methylome maps, human genome evolution, structural polymorphisms in the human population, and previous genomic and disease studies consistently points to a strong association of germline hypomethylation and genomic instability," the Baylor-led team writes.
US Clinical Laboratories Acquires Georgia's Augusta Lab
Clinical labs in Augusta, Ga., just got some renewed competition.
Texas-based US Clinical Laboratories has acquired Georgia's Augusta Laboratory for an undisclosed sum, marking USCL's second lab buy in the state in five weeks.
Founded in 1985, Augusta Lab serves northeastern Georgia and specializes in servicing nursing and skilled-nursing homes, and provides walk-in testing in Augusta, where it is based.
Terms of the deal will enable Augusta Lab founder and President Jan Schöler to retain his existing position, and will require him to oversee the labs' integration and USCL's ongoing strategy of expanding into neighboring states.
Indeed, the buy "is a good illustration of our strategy of entering markets where we can obtain the synergies of multiple acquisitions as well as the prospect of strong internal growth," USCL CEO Rod Proto said.
As I wrote in June, the Augusta Lab deal follows USCL's acquisition of Vidalia Lab Services for an undisclosed sum. That deal marked the lab's first foray beyond its home base of Houston.
Both buys enable USCL to "offer our testing services to the eastern half of Georgia on a very cost effective basis," Proto said, adding that "the combination of our existing capabilities with those of Augusta Lab will offer the opportunity to bring services to clients that Augusta Lab has not traditionally served."
Founded in 2010, privately held USCL was indeed "created … to pursue opportunities and growth strategies in the laboratory-testing industry."
With the Augusta Lab acquisition, the company now has five lab and 14 draw stations.
News of the deal comes on the same day as another lab, Solstas Lab Partners, announced its acquisition of a trio of labs — one based in Birmingham, Ala. and two located in Wilmington, Del. — as part of its own strategy to significantly expand east and west of its Greensboro, NC, headquarters.
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