In this study, a team of researchers led by Dr. David Threadgill of North
Carolina State University utilized mouse genetics to aid the search for
candidate genes linked to acetaminophen-induced liver injury in humans. “We
approached the study from the perspective that drugs are used in very
heterogeneous patient populations, and that drug-induced toxicities are likely
the result of a person’s genetic makeup,” …
“Can genetics map onto electronics–is it ready to go into the garage shop in a
hobbyist sense?” said Church. “That’s the question she’s asking, and I think
that’s a very big, profound question… There seems to be a very deep and
growing curiosity about genetics that might dwarf electronics. No matter how
much we love our gadgets, we’re totally fascinated by our ancestry and health.” …
The power of the acupuncture technique is that rare or limiting specimens can be
examined for expression levels without harming them so they can be used for
other studies such as DNA or protein analysis. …
It is not entirely clear what causes MS but other research has suggested vitamin
D, produced in the body through exposure to sunlight, plays a part. …
The “work reveals a molecular mechanism of how [memory deletion] can be done
quickly and without doing damage to brain cells,” …
Though dissenting opinions on the appropriateness of a person’s complete, public
genome are widespread in response to PGP’s approach, the 10 volunteers’ full
genomes are far from being completely sequenced: the privately-funded project is
focusing on only a handful of genes that seem to have the most influence over
disease, behavior, and physical traits. …
the system is able to sequence parts of the genome that contain many repeated
letters, which are virtually impossible to read now. By next year, the company
hopes to be selling sequencing machines. …
“There are other tools out there that can integrate stuff, but the unique aspect
of IGV at the moment is how we handle the problem of volume by just serving up
little pieces as you need them,” …
“We are working on making sure only pancreatic cancer cells see this suicide
gene,” Brody says. “By this, we are putting tighter regulation on the expression
of this toxic gene. We hope to just help pancreatic cancer patients.” …
One of the big questions posed by the development of new genetic tests is how
people will react when they learn more about their risk of disease. …