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Cancer in His Sights

Feb 24, 2010

In a series, the New York Times profiles the work of Keith Flaherty, an oncologist at the University of Pennsylvania, who has evangelized a targeted approach to treating cancer. The first part follows the highs and lows of clinical trials after Flaherty jumped headlong into testing drugs targeting B-RAF mutations in cancer. His first drug from Bayer failed and finding the proper does for a second from Plexxikon has taken a few re-formulations, but holds a glimmer of promise: he has his first responder.

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The Scan

Genome Sequences Reveal Range Mutations in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Researchers in Nature Genetics detect somatic mutation variation across iPSCs generated from blood or skin fibroblast cell sources, along with selection for BCOR gene mutations.

Researchers Reprogram Plant Roots With Synthetic Genetic Circuit Strategy

Root gene expression was altered with the help of genetic circuits built around a series of synthetic transcriptional regulators in the Nicotiana benthamiana plant in a Science paper.

Infectious Disease Tracking Study Compares Genome Sequencing Approaches

Researchers in BMC Genomics see advantages for capture-based Illumina sequencing and amplicon-based sequencing on the Nanopore instrument, depending on the situation or samples available.

LINE-1 Linked to Premature Aging Conditions

Researchers report in Science Translational Medicine that the accumulation of LINE-1 RNA contributes to premature aging conditions and that symptoms can be improved by targeting them.