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The Genome Guru Speaks

Dec 07, 2007

George Church has been making the news lately with his Personal Genome Project, being on the advisory boards of both 23andMe and Knome -- as well as going for the Archon X Prize. MIT's Tech Review interviewed Church about all of his endeavors, and what might be on the entrance exam to the Personal Genome Project. (Hint: it'll see if you understand basic genetics, the possibility of re-identification, and informed consent.)

Breaking News
The Scan

Enzyme Involved in Lipid Metabolism Linked to Mutational Signatures

In Nature Genetics, a Wellcome Sanger Institute-led team found that APOBEC1 may contribute to the development of the SBS2 and SBS13 mutational signatures in the small intestine.

Family Genetic Risk Score Linked to Diagnostic Trajectory in Psychiatric Disorders

Researchers in JAMA Psychiatry find ties between high or low family genetic risk scores and diagnostic stability or change in four major psychiatric disorders over time.

Study Questions Existence of Fetal Microbiome

A study appearing in Nature this week suggests that the reported fetal microbiome might be the result of sample contamination.

Fruit Fly Study Explores Gut Microbiome Effects on Circadian Rhythm

With gut microbiome and gene expression experiments, researchers in PNAS see signs that the microbiome contributes to circadian rhythm synchronicity and stability in fruit flies.