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.
The Wave-Makers
February 09, 2012
The folks over at FierceBiotech and FiercePharma have put together a list of 25 people who wield influence over biopharma. The list includes a Wall Street analyst, CEOs, and an assistant attorney general. Prominently figured on the list are NIH Director Francis Collins (He created a new transitional medicine center and "got it funded to the tune of $575 million."), Craig Venter (He has "boldness and imagination."), and Roche's Severin Schwan (He is a "difference maker in the business of targeted cancer drugs.") The list also mentions influential figures like University of California, San Francisco chancellor Susan Desmond-Hellmann, Andrew Dillon at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, and Biocon's Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.