Genetics
Genetic sequencing work has been completed on 178 bacteria hosted in the human body. "The point here is that if you do a census of all the cells in the human body, the number of microbial cells outnumber human cells by 10 to one," said Dr. Martin Blaser, chairman of the department of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. "That means you're 90 percent microbes, and just 10 percent you. And that's pretty phenomenal." Story
A consortium of prominent researchers has won an NIH "Glue Grant" to fund their work identifying the function and structure of unknown enzymes uncovered during sequencing programs. This new project is expected to identify a number of new drug targets. Story
A variety of mutations found in the CISH gene can significantly increase the risk of several infectious diseases, such as TB and malaria, according to a research team, and their insights could help advance new drugs for the diseases. Report
Seven genetic variations have been fingered for raising the risk of leprosy. Story
Stem Cell Research
The board of directors of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation has approved 42 stem cell projects totaling $11.7 million in funding through the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund. Release
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and investigator Glenn Monastersky have been awarded a four-year $2.45 million grant from the New York Stem Cell Science Program of the Empire State Stem Cell Board. Release
And Finally... Two human proteins that evolutionary processes have conserved from ancient single-celled organisms appear to provide new targets of opportunity for scientists hoping to thwart the development of diabetes. Release