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."
Q&A: Corrado Priami Explains Why Computer Science is Systems Biology's Best Foundation
Priami, head of the University of Trento Centre for Computational and Systems Biology, believes that computer science — not mathematics — is the best "candidate for laying the foundation of systems biology."
New to GenomeWeb? Register quickly here.