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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: human genome

human genome stories: 14 news summaries

Get Your
Genome Sequenced
for Just $50K

New technology
slashes test cost

Aug 11, 09 4:30 AM CDT
(Newser) - Decoding the first full human genome cost billions, but a professor of bioengineering says he has done it for just $50,000 using technology he helped design, reports the San Francisco Business Times. Stephen Quake sequenced his genetic code using a team of just three people. Only last year, decoding... More »

MORE ABOUT:
DNA • genome • human genome • sequencing

(Newser) - The promised age of unlocking the mystery of common diseases through DNA appears to have a hit a disappointing roadblock, the New York Times reports. As a result, companies that bill people to provide a personal genomic profile—and theoretically warn them of their risk to illness—are practicing nothing... More »

MORE ABOUT:
genetics • disease • DNA • New England Journal of Medicine • human genome

Genome Research Helps Develop ... Search Engine

DeepDyve may reach 99% of web Google & Co don't

Nov 12, 08 2:20 PM CST
(Newser) - Technology designed to sequence the human genome is now being turned to an equally daunting task: probing the depths of the web. DeepDyve, a search engine developed by Human Genome Project researchers, can base its search on up to 25,000 characters, Wired reports, which researchers say allows it to... More »

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Google • Internet • search engine • human genome • deep web • DeepDyve

 RNA: Secret Weapon 
 Against Disease 

Once seen as weak partner of DNA, gene helps control cells' activity

Nov 11, 08 12:05 PM CST
(Newser) - RNA has long been seen as DNA’s little brother, a messenger between the human genome and cells’ protein factories. But studies point to a bigger role—ribonucleic acid can “turn off” certain genes, for example, fighting a range of health problems, the New York Times reports. “This... More »

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cancer • disease • DNA • cells • RNA • genes • human genome • proteins

Genome Project Is a Bust: Expert

$3B effort to pinpoint disease-causing genes too broad,
Duke doc says

Sep 16, 08 11:40 AM CDT
(Newser) - The idea behind mapping the human genome (and spending $3 billion to do so) was to uncover common gene variants that cause disease. But a Duke University geneticist says that natural selection has worked better than we thought, that there are no common variants but rather a multitude of rare... More »

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Duke University • genetics • cancer research • biology • human genome • genetic research • International HapMap Project • Alzheimer's Disease • David Goldstein

Broad Donates $400M for Gene Research

Record gift helps Harvard/MIT venture
get to root of disease

Sep 4, 08 3:08 PM CDT
(Newser) - Eli and Edythe Broad plan to donate $400 million more to the Massachusetts foundation they started 4 years ago to research the genetic causes of disease, the Boston Globe reports. “It's the biggest investment we've ever made,” said Broad, whose gift to the joint Harvard/MIT venture is the... More »

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philanthropy • Eli Broad • Cambridge • human genome • genetic research • endowment • Broad Institute • Edythe Broad

OPINION

 Top Ideas of Past Year 

Atlantic Monthly runs down issues steered the national discourse in past year

Jun 11, 08 5:19 PM CDT
(Newser) - Which ideas informed the national discourse (or lack thereof) in the past year? Well, the Atlantic Monthly knows, and there are 11 … er, 11½. From the troop surge in Iraq to post-partisan politics to the provocatively titled “mass-market atheism,” a look at some of the most captivating... More »

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Iraq • Iran • Barack Obama • torture • MySpace • carbon footprint • list • human genome • atheism • subprime crisis • Atlantic Monthly

DNA Scientists Finally Clear Gender Barrier

After 5 male subjects, female genome sequenced for first time

May 26, 08 10:32 AM CDT
(Newser) - Dutch scientists have sequenced the a female human genome, reports the AP. The first human genome was sequenced in 2001; since then, scientists have mapped four male individuals' DNA. "It was time, after sequencing four males, to balance the genders a bit," says the lead researcher. More »

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women • DNA • human genome

Genetics May Play Role
in Smokers' Cancer Risk

Those who inherit variation from both parents are at greater danger

Apr 2, 08 8:50 PM CDT
(Newser) - Three new studies have found a genetic variation that may increase smokers' chances of getting lung cancer. A smoker who inherits the variations from both parents has a 70% to 80% greater risk of developing the cancer. The findings could shed light on why some  smokers get cancer and some... More »

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genetics • lung cancer • smoking • cigarettes • cancer research • genetic mutation • human genome

Millionaire Pays Firm to Map His Genetic Code

Personal genome readouts now on shopping list for super-rich

Mar 4, 08 4:01 AM CST
(Newser) - A Switzerland-based millionaire is paying to have his personal genetic code mapped out, the New York Times reports. He is only the second person to ever have done so, but genetics companies say interest is high despite the $350,000 price tag for decoding all 6 billion units in an... More »

MORE ABOUT:
genetics • genetic testing • DNA • human genome • genetic code • biotech companies • scientific study

Project Launched to Map Genes of 1,000 People

Controversial international genome project

Jan 23, 08 6:52 AM CST
(Newser) - An international project to sequence the genomes of at least 1,000 people has begun at three research institutes in England, China and the US. The information gathered in the "1,000 Genomes Project " will be used to create a reference map of genetic variations. "This is... More »

MORE ABOUT:
DNA • genes • human genome • 1000 Genome Project • Beijing Genomics Institute • Sanger Institute • National Human Genome Research Institute • International HapMap Project • Personal Genome Project

Hey Baby, What's Your Genome?

One scribe dared to see her DNA, which cost $1K and some spit

Nov 17, 07 4:57 PM CST
(Newser) - Cheaper genetic testing—which can cost only $1,000 and some saliva—recently inspired one New York Times scribe to check out her own DNA. She sent a sample to a start-up company, one of three in the field, and waited. But she had reservations: What if she was prone... More »

MORE ABOUT:
DNA • human genome

Alternative to the Pill Has
No Side Effects

Non-hormonal patch would block protein key to conception

Oct 17, 07 2:47 PM CDT
(Newser) - Contraception without the nausea, headaches, mood swings, weight gain, or heart attacks? Scientists are developing a non-hormonal patch that would side-step the side effects associated with the Pill by simply blocking a protein that allows sperm to bond with egg, the Telegraph reports. But don’t get too excited—it... More »

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gene therapy • hormones • birth control • human genome • birth control pill • contraceptive

Human Genome Mapped, but DNA Still a Mystery

Genes more complex than scientists thought

Sep 4, 07 5:42 PM CDT
(Newser) - A new map of human DNA shows just how complex we really are – so much so that scientists can’t even pin down which genes are making our eyes blue. "I found out that I have [only] a high probability of having blue eyes," says azure-eyed biologist... More »

MORE ABOUT:
DNA • James Watson • human genome • Craig Venter • genetic code • J. Craig Venter Institute

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