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: Ivo Gut of France's National Genotyping Center on Choosing the Right Sequencing Tool for the Job
Ivo Gut, who is responsible for the second-generation sequencing platforms at the Centre National de Génotypage, is also coordinator of a European Union-funded research consortium that aims to develop new DNA sequencing technologies.
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