What does DNA mean to you? #9

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 11, 2008 in Meaning of DNA

Today, Ramunas Janavicius of Cancer Genetics who is a clinical genetics resident doctor (or SPR) from Vilnius University, Lithuania tells us what DNA means to him.

Well, EVERYTHING. Not only being core of life, this is archetypal image of pervasive and inspiring nature. I like it in a hardware (PCR tube), software (sequence in database) and wetware (t-shirt & popular culture) version.

(>> Start a discussion!)

DNA Video: Illumina on Wallstrip

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 7, 2008 in DNA Podcasts and Videos, DNA Products

Interesting little summary on the history of Illumina.

They look through your DNA and discover your genetic code.

via business|bytes|genes|molecules

(>> Start a discussion!)

DNA Excerpt: Fermat’s Last Theorem

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 6, 2008 in DNA Quotes and Excerpts

From Fermat’s Last Theorem (also titled as Fermat’s Enigma) by Simon Singh:

“In mathematical terms the final proof is the equivalent of splitting the atom or finding the structure of DNA,” announced John Coates.

(>> Start a discussion!)

What does DNA mean to you? #8

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 4, 2008 in Meaning of DNA

Reader Doug tells us what he thinks of DNA:

DNA is our chance to pop open the hood and tinker around a bit. Surgeons get to slice things up and sew them back together a bit but genetic engineers can really mix things up.

Once you’ve got the DNA, you’ve got it all. The trick is figuring out what to do with it.

(3 comments)

DNA 11 Introduces GenePak Genome Analysis

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted June 3, 2008 in DNA Products

One of the coolest ways to have fun with your DNA is via DNA art and the leader in the marketplace is undeniably DNA 11, creators of DNA portraits. Today, DNA 11 launches the GenePak upgrade which will identify four genes during DNA processing. With the enclosed booklet, customers can identify the specific DNA fragments in their DNA portraits that show their genotype for the following genes.

• Sport: Show off your muscles without having to flex. This gene called ACTN2 is expressed in all muscle cells.
• Brain: This gene — IGF-2 — is associated with intelligence. It is not the only gene whose expression correlates with IQ, but one of them that is involved in development of the brain
• Love: This gene — NGF2 – is one of the genes responsible for those butterflies in your stomach when you meet that special someone.
• Gender: This gene — Amelogenin — is often used to determine whether someone is male or female.

  ~Press Release

Co-founder Nazim Ahmed:

Our clients have been so happy with their unique DNA art portraits that we wanted to add even more insightful and exciting options for them. This new GenePak™ option allows clients to analyze their genes in an interesting way that creates great entertainment value for friends and family.

GenePack is available for an additional $99 with any DNA portrait as an upgrade.

NB: DNA 11 was recently mentioned in this Clarion-Ledger article - Getting personal: Products touting individuality appeal to the masses.

(1 comment)

DNA Video: History of the Species

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 31, 2008 in DNA Podcasts and Videos, DNA in General

Work by the MRG at Goldsmiths.
Including: William Latham, Stephen Todd, Frederic Fol Leymarie, Miki Shaw, Ben Jefferys, Lawrence Kelley.

At the core of this work is the idea of feeding DNA data sequences into a rich 3D form generator called FormGrow, to generate organic-looking 3D growth structures, creating an equivalence of the DNA mapped into an alternative multi-dimensional space.

via Kevin Kelly

(>> Start a discussion!)

DNA Quote: Former Surgeon General Dr. Richard H. Carmona

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 30, 2008 in DNA Quotes and Excerpts

From a Dr. Val Jones interview of Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, MD who served as Surgeon General from August 2002 to August 2006:

This tool [U.S. Surgeon General's Family History Initiative] helped people to begin identifying their risks based on a good family history – which busy docs don’t pay enough attention to anymore. When you know your history, genomics becomes valuable. If we can characterize disease, then we can search for potential genetic loci to help explain what’s going on and take a preventive approach to modifying the person’s environment to mitigate risk.

HT: Kevin, MD

(1 comment)

Breakthrough: Scientists Encode Genome

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 29, 2008 in DNA in General

From MSNBC:

Scientists encode [sic] first woman’s genome: Project allows scientists to compare DNA of men and women

Wow! They’ve encoded an entire genome! NOT.

Usually, the reference is to a genome being decoded although there is debate surrounding the use of that terminology as well. RPM at evolgen says:

…decoding a genome is a long and tedious (possibly endless) process. To decode a genome, we would have to figure out the function for every gene product and how those gene products interact. And even if we simplify decoding to merely identify genes, there is more to a gene that its protein coding sequence.

<snip>

So, let’s abandon the idea of “decoding a genome” and refer to the process for what it is: sequencing euchromatin and preliminary analysis of protein coding sequences.

Photo credit: Walking female form, Wellcome Images via Creative Commons

(>> Start a discussion!)

NHGRI Director Francis Collins to Step Down on August 1

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 28, 2008 in Personalities with DNA

Last year I wondered why Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), seemed to be keeping a low profile. Maybe he was already plotting his exit then.

About an hour ago, I received an email from the man himself announcing his plans to resign from the NHGRI starting August 1, 2008. (For a second I thought I was on some personal mailing list of his until I realized it was distributed via the Genetic Alliance Announcements List. D’oh. Delusions of grandeur….) He is leaving to devote time to “writing, reflection and exploration of other professional opportunities in the public or private sectors.” Alan E. Guttmacher, M.D., will become acting director.

Here’s an excerpt from his email:

Looking back, I’m tremendously proud of our collective work in leading the Human Genome Project (HGP) to its successful conclusion in 2003, and of our wide range of large-scale projects that built upon the foundation laid by the HGP. Collectively, these projects and the priceless data they generated have transformed biomedical research and empowered researchers all around the world. I’m also proud of these projects’ commitments to protecting the privacy of genetic information and addressing the ethical, legal and social implications of genome research.

In addition to his work on the human genome, Dr. Collins has also been known for his controversial religious beliefs. In a 2006 interview I conducted with Dr. PZ Myers of Pharyngula, he said the following of Francis Collins’ book - The Language of God.

Once upon a time, I would have said that my view of genetics/genomics wouldn’t be much different from those who profess a faith — good scientists can sequester their religious beliefs from the practice of science. Unfortunately, I’ve since read Francis Collins’ new book, and that incoherent spewage of irrational lunacy is swaying me the other way, to regard religion as a toxin that corrupts good minds. The Language of God is precisely the kind of example that convinces me of the destructive failures of religious belief.

What memories do you have of Francis Collins?

Update: Sandra Porter at Discovering Biology in a Digital World remembers Dr. Collins singing about DNA with a guitar at a fund-raising dinner.

More: Francis S. Collins to Step Down as Director of National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH News

(1 comment)

What does DNA mean to you? #7

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 28, 2008 in Meaning of DNA

What does DNA mean to you?

Reader and frequent commenter NA says:

DNA, to me, means everything. It’s who I am. DNA is what separates the haves and the have-nots for pure atheletic talent.

I think he’s joking, but I’m not too sure. You can never really tell with NA.

(1 comment)