In a rather nice Technology Review piece, David Ewing Duncan takes an in-depth look at cardiomyocytes grown from induced pluripotent stem cells that were created …
Category: Genetics
The Genetic Music Project highlights the dramatic beauty of the genome
ScienceRoll reported today on the Genetic Music Project, an open-source art piece created by graduate student Alexandra Pajak. The Genetic Music Project creates music based …
The placenta sacrifices itself to keep baby healthy in case of starvation, research shows
We've begun to accept that the mammalian placenta is more than a passive sac of nutrients allowing mommy to effectively eat for two: It's an active, …
Moving toward a Down syndrome drug
A new story in the New York Times Magazine describes the life's work of Alberto Costa, MD, a Colorado scientist who began studying Down syndrome …
Non-European representation woefully lacking in genomics studies, say Stanford geneticists
UPDATE: The LA Times' Booster Shots blog just posted an extensive interview with Carlos Bustamante about his article. *** Stanford geneticist Carlos Bustamante, PhD, is …
Gene "editing" could correct a host of genetic disorders
Researchers using a new "gene-editing" therapy have effectively cured hemophilia in mice, the New York Times is reporting. The technique relies on natural agents called …
Economic impact of human genome sequencing
In case you missed it, the Wall Street Journal posted an interesting article online yesterday about the economic impact of sequencing the human genome. The …
DNA's role in identifying Osama bin Laden
There's been a lot of buzz about how government officials were able to confirm it was Osama bin Laden who was killed recently. In this …
Open-source encyclopedia of human genome's functional elements in the works
An international research consortium is working to develop a free, open-source encyclopedia cataloging the human genome's functional elements for the scientific community and for the …
Love coffee? It's all in the genes
Like many, a cup of coffee is as much a part of my morning routine as is brushing my teeth. New research published in PLoS …
Solving the genetic mystery of the albino redwood
Scientists at Stanford and UC Santa Cruz have launched a project to sequence the genome of the "Albino Redwood," an illusive and fragile genetic mutation …
Heeeerrre's Johnny! (And Debbie, and Paul, and ..[insert your name here])
Comparative geneticists around the world just gave a collective gasp. The New York Times has just posted an article about research in the journal PLoS …
Stanford researchers work on "molecular autopsies"
Today's issue of the San Jose Mercury News contains an article on how Stanford professors Stephen Quake, PhD, and Euan Ashley, MD, have turned to …
Genetics study could lead to development of better wine, table grapes
Researchers have completed the most comprehensive genetic analysis to date of the domesticated grape, and, as described in a USDA release, their work could help …
Mapping the DNA of wild strawberries and fine chocolate
Separate teams of scientists have successfully decoded the genetic makeup of the wild strawberry and a certain type of cacao used to make fine chocolate. …
Stanford geneticist/"genius award" winner talks about his work
Earlier this fall, Stanford population geneticist Carlos Bustamante, PhD, was awarded a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant." On NPR's Tell Me More yesterday, Bustamante discussed the …