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All the World's Genomes

The Smithsonian Institution is opening a virtual biodiversity genomics institute, ScienceInsider reports.

With is Smithsonian Institute for Biodiversity Genomics, the institution hopes to foster efforts to collect and catalog DNA from all life on Earth.

"Our goal is to pioneer novel genomic approaches, integrate them into biological endeavors throughout the Smithsonian, and serve as a resource for genomics research around the world," Pierre Comizzoli, the director of the Grand Challenges Consortia for Science at the Smithsonian, says in a statement.

ScienceInsider's Elizabeth Pennisi notes that the Smithsonian already allocates some $10 million a year for genomic research, but as part of this effort to coordinate biodiversity genomics globally, John Kress, the Smithsonian's interim under secretary for science, says he wants to raise $100 million over the next 10 years.

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.