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."
You Win Some, You Lose Some
August 24, 2009
TruGenetics, which in June was offering free genetic scans to its first 10,000 customers, has not been able to secure funding. John Fossella at Genes to Brains to Mental Health and Bertalan Meskó at Science Roll both post the letter they've received from TruGenetics. "Despite our best efforts and contrary to our expectations, our funding sources did not come through and to date, we have been unable to secure funding for launching our genome scanning program," it says.
Complete Genomics has had better luck. The company announced it raised $45 million in its most recent funding round, according to Xconomy.