James Ostell

Sep 11, 2017

Molecular biologist and former software developer James Ostell has been named director of the US National Center for Biotechnology Information, within the National Library of Medicine. This represents a promotion for Ostell, who previously headed NCBI's Information Engineering Branch. He has been with NCBI since its inception in 1988.

Breaking News

Coronary Artery Calcification Contributors, Potential Drug Targets Found in Cross-Ancestry GWAS
Max Planck Team Uses Spatial Single-Cell Proteomics Method to Analyze Hepatocyte Heterogeneity
US Supreme Court Declines to Hear CareDx Organ Transplant Patent Infringement Case
GenomeWeb Top 40 Down 10 Percent in September, Outpacing Decline in Broader Market
Natera Submits Signatera Bladder Cancer PMA Module to FDA

The Scan

Positive Framing of Genetic Studies Can Spark Mistrust Among Underrepresented Groups

Researchers in Human Genetics and Genomics Advances report that how researchers describe genomic studies may alienate potential participants.

Small Study of Gene Editing to Treat Sickle Cell Disease

In a Novartis-sponsored study in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that a CRISPR-Cas9-based treatment targeting promoters of genes encoding fetal hemoglobin could reduce disease symptoms.

Gut Microbiome Changes Appear in Infants Before They Develop Eczema, Study Finds

Researchers report in mSystems that infants experienced an enrichment in Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Finegoldia and a depletion of Bacteroides before developing eczema.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Specificity Enhanced With Stem Cell Editing

A study in Nature suggests epitope editing in donor stem cells prior to bone marrow transplants can stave off toxicity when targeting acute myeloid leukemia with immunotherapy.