Monthly Archives: February 2017

The Department of Human Genetics is the home within the Division of Biological Sciences for the study of basic principles of genetics and genomics as applied to human disease. We provide broad training in experimental genetics and genomics, statistical and population genetics, bioinformatics, and clinical genetics. A common theme throughout our research is the application of basic genetic principles and strategies to the study of disease mechanism, disease susceptibility, and the genetic architecture of complex traits. Our faculty bridge between basic and clinical research and train students for careers in academia, industry, and medicine.

The Department of Human Genetics has an unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion, free expression, and open discourse.These values are at the core of our roles as scientists, as teachers, and as citizens of a free society.

Science, including genetics, plays a central role in many crucial issues of our time. We are committed to generating rigorous scientific knowledge, training future scientists, and preparing our students to be well-informed citizens in a democratic society.

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Department of Human Genetics | The University of Chicago

The Clemson Center for Human Genetics is open on the campus of Greenwood Genetic Center in Greenwood.

The new 17,000-square-foot facility, known as Self Regional Hall, will allow Clemson Universitys genetics program researchers and students to work closely with research teams at GGC, according to a news release. The center will initially focus on discovering and developing early diagnostic tools and therapies for autism, cognitive developmental disorders, oncology and lysosomal disorders.

Opening Self Regional Hall means that we will be able to do even more to help children with genetic disorders, and their families, and to educate graduate students who will go out into the world and make their own impact, said Clemson University President James P. Clements during the opening of the facility on Feb. 15. As the parent of a child with special needs the kind of research that you are doing here is especially meaningful and important to me and my family.

The building will house eight laboratories and several classrooms, conference rooms and offices for graduate students and faculty. Mark Leising, interim dean of the College of Science at Clemson, said the facility provides the resources our scientists need to understand the genetic underpinnings of disorders.

This facility, and its proximity to the Greenwood Genetic Center, elevates our ability to attract the brightest scientific talent to South Carolina and enhances our efforts to tackle genetic disorders, Leising said, in the release.

Read more here:
Human genetics center opens in Greenwood - GSA Business

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Genetically modified humans sounds like a term that belongs inHollywood, but its actually a very real possibility, and one thats being heavily discussed in the scientific community. Contributing to one of the most controversial topics to date, a panel of science experts in the U.S. just examined and gavetheir support for germline editing. This means that in the future, parents will likely be able to tamper with the genetics of their children pre-birth.

Germinal choice technology refers to reprogenetic technologies that enable parents to alter the genetic constitutions of their children.One of the ways this can be done is through germline editing, which is a fancier term forhuman genetic engineering. Germline editing alters the genes of a sperm or an egg, but itthen changes the future DNA of every single cell in the embryo. This means that the genetic changes made to the embryos will then affect all future generations within that family lineage.

The panels were made up of experts from two of the most prestigiousscientific institutions in the U.S., both of which recommended that germline editing be viewed as a serious option in the future and not be prohibited outright (source).

This is a dramatically different stance than the last assessment given in December 2015 by aninternational summit of scientists, who stated that it would beirresponsible to proceed with germline editing given the controversy surrounding thesubject and thesafety issues involved, all of which have yet to be resolved.

The panels discussions can be further analyzed in areportreleasedearlier this week by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine. The panel recommendedthat germline editing of early embryos, eggs, or sperm should only be permitted to prevent serious disease or disability iftheres significant scientific evidence illustrating that the procedures are safe.

Human genome editing holds tremendous promise for understanding, treating, or preventing many devastating genetic diseases, and for improving treatment of many other illnesses. . . . However, genome editing to enhance traits or abilities beyond ordinary health raises concerns about whether the benefits can outweigh the risks, and about fairness if available only to some people, explained Alta Charo, co-chair of the study committee and Sheldon B. Lubar Distinguished Chair and Warren P. Knowles Professor of Law and Bioethics, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

One of the illnesses the panel specifically mentionedthat germline editing could be used to prevent is Huntingtons disease, a progressive brain disorder that can result in uncontrollable movement, emotional issues, and loss in cognition, mostcommonly appearing in a persons thirties or forties. However, the panel was quick to note that withthese alterations could come some very serious side effects.

One of the potential risks includes developing new conditions, diseases, or mutations. If this happened, parents would have no idea until their babies are born and begin to mature.

Perhaps the most obvious risk is the societal implications associated with the genetic engineering of humans. If its an expensive process, meaningit will likely only be made available to upper class citizens who canafford it, it could create a designer class of babies with preferred qualities and genes.

These kinds of scenarios used to be science fiction; they used to be seen as far-off hypotheticalsBut actually, right now, I think theyre urgent social justice questions, said biotechnologist Marcy Darnovsky from the Center for Genetics and Society toRob Stein at NPR.

[W]ere going to be creating a world in which the already privileged and affluent can use these high-tech procedures to make children [with] biological advantages, she continued. And the scenario that plays out is not a pretty one.

Previously, it was easy for people to say, This isnt possible, so we dont have to think about it much, said MIT researcher Richard Hynes, who helped lead the committee, toThe New York Times. Now we can see a path whereby we might be able to do it, so we have to think about how to make sure its used only for the right things and not for the wrong things.

Transhumanism is a futuristic ideology which purportsthat humans willbe altered and improved usingsophisticated technologies in the future to upgrade ourintellectual, physical, and mental capabilities.Many scientists are actually in favour of this, especially as we become more technologically advanced, making this seem more realistic.

Elon Musk supportsthis movement, in fact, as he believes that human beings will eventuallyuse technology toenhance our inherent natural capabilities.

Over time we will see a closer merger of biological intelligence and digital intelligence. It is all about the band width of the brain, Musk said.

Some high band width interface to the brain will be something which helps achieve symbiosis between human and machine intelligence, which solves a control and usefulness problem, he continued.

Musk has spoken about this topic on several occasions. For example, last year he explained that we should considergetting brain implants in the futurebecause, without them, we may not be able to compete with artificial intelligence (AI). He also has strong opinions about AI, arguing it could pose a threat to us if we become too dependent on it (source).

I believe that genetically engineering human beings could serve us in a way, but it could also do more harm than good. Germline editing could seriously improve the lives of many if it could prevent certain diseases, but at what cost?

In addition, the fact that a man and a woman can mate and create offspring together thats made up of a mixture of their genes is trulybeautiful. Do we really want to altersomething thats already such an incredible gift in nature?

I dont think theres a right or a wrong answer here. However, there are certainly some risks involved with genetically modifying humans.Its easy to imagine how the elite could use this to further manipulate the general population, or howit could create an even greater divide between high income and low income families. The idea of creating an Aryan or superior race could even be proposed again, which would only further perpetuate the illusions of separatism and hierarchy.

Then again, it could potentially help us further advance our consciousness and awaken our inner capabilities, especially if the technology or alterations have absolutely no health risks (zero radiation/EMF exposure, no increased risk in disease, etc.).

In either case, I believe our time would be better spent further advancing our collective consciousness.If that can be done through AI, then thats incredible and Im all for it. However, we must remember that, if we truly dial in and get in touch with ourselves energetically, we have the power to heal ourselves from within. We dont need to rely on technology to save us and prevent diseases. Yes, technology plays an important role in society, but that doesnt mean we should let it overshadow our own capabilities as spiritual beings.

Read the rest here:
Genetically Modified Humans Are Coming: US Scientists Just Backed Permanent Gene Editing In Humans - Collective Evolution

February 16, 2017 Researchers found short ribonucleic acid molecules (microRNA) even in mummies like Oetzi. Credit: Andreas Keller, Saarland University

Biomarkers are biological attributes that can give doctors or researchers clues about the health status or illnesses of a patient. Scientists are placing great hope in a new type of biomarker, so-called microRNAs. These short ribonucleic acid molecules are notable for their very high level of stability. Researchers at Saarland University, the University of Luxembourg and the Eurac Research center in Bozen have now established that such microRNAs can remain stable even after 5,300 years.

They have found the molecules in the well-known glacier mummy "tzi". A number of facts have been scientifically proven about the glacier mummy, known as "the Iceman" or "tzi," found in the tztal Alps (South Tyrol) in 1991. Through imaging techniques, we know about degeneration in his lumbar spine and a fatal arrow wound in his left shoulder. DNA analyses showed that tzi was lactose intolerant, and had brown eyes and blood type 0. Now a study of tzi's microRNAs has also been completed. MicroRNAs are very small pieces of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and play a central role in the regulation of genes.

Although these molecules are very stable in tissues, prior to this study it was unclear whether they could still be found in human tissues after thousands of years. Therefore, Professors Andreas Keller and Eckart Meese of Saarland University, Stephanie Kreis of the University of Luxembourg, and Professor Albert Zink and Frank Maixner of Eurac Research in Bozen took on the challenge. They analyzed not only tissue samples from the Iceman, but also those from a mummy of a soldier fallen in World War I. "Our investigation provides evidence that we can analyze microRNA even after thousands of years," explains Andreas Keller, Professor of Clinical Bioinformatics at Saarland University, who coordinated the study.

The scientists took samples from tzi's skin, stomach, and stomach contents. "It was a challenge to extract this genetic material in significant quantities and sufficient quality from the mummified tissue samples, and to measure and quantify it with the newest, very precise methods," reports Stephanie Kreis, who isolated the microRNAs at the University of Luxembourg. Some molecules were found that were present predominantly in the ancient tissues. Conversely, some of the biomarkers that are well-known today were not found in tzi. According to Professor Zink from Eurac Research, the microRNAs are the next important class of molecules from tzi to receive intensive examination.

Professor Meese, head of the Institute of Human Genetics at Saarland University, claims that the stability of these biomarkers is also important for people today. "It is vital for clinical applications," explains Meese. "It's evident that the potential of microRNA is much greater than we previously thought. We still don't know enough about how these molecules influence specific genes, entire gene families, or biochemical reaction pathways. When we investigate this further, it's possible microRNAs will become new stars in therapy. Until then, however, there is a lot more work to do," concludes Professor Keller.

Explore further: Scientists discover helicobacter pylori in the contents of Otzi's stomach

More information: Andreas Keller et al, miRNAs in ancient tissue specimens of the Tyrolean Iceman, Molecular Biology and Evolution (2016). DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw291

Scientists are continually unearthing new facts about Homo sapiens from the mummified remains of tzi, the Copper Age man, who was discovered in a glacier in 1991. Five years ago, after tzi's genome was completely deciphered, ...

A study was published last week on the DNA of Helicobacter pylori, the pathogen extracted from the stomach of tzi, the ice mummy who has provided valuable information on the life of Homo Sapiens.

Scientific magazine Nature Communications publishes new findings about physiognomy, ethnic origin and predisposition towards illness of the worlds oldest glacier mummy.

In an elaborate study, biologists of the University of Luxembourg have found out that small molecules named microRNAs are, against many hopes, not yet suitable for early diagnosis of skin cancer, as well as supposedly for ...

After decoding the Iceman's genetic make-up, a research team from the European Academy of Bolzano/Bozen (EURAC), Saarland University, Kiel University and other partners has now made another major breakthrough in mummy research: ...

(PhysOrg.com) -- In a presentation at the Seventh World Congress on Mummy Studies, researchers from the Institute for Mummies and the Iceman revealed that they had finally located the iceman known as Otzis stomach and ...

(Phys.org)An international team of researchers has found a trove of marine fossils at a North American site that offers evidence of life bouncing back faster than thought after the most devastating mass extinction in Earth's ...

French pedestrians have the reputation of being a law unto themselvesbut an unusual study has provided some scientific backing for the stereotype.

A small crocodile discovered in Germany's Langenberg Quarry may be a new species, according to a study published February 15, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Daniela Schwarz from Leibniz Institute for Evolutionary ...

An extinct tortoise species that accidentally tumbled into a water-filled limestone sinkhole in the Bahamas about 1,000 years ago has finally made its way out, with much of its DNA intact.

An unusual and 'confusing' grave site dug up in Romania by a student from The Australian National University (ANU) is helping provide evidence for the first official written history of the Szkely people.

A remarkable 250 million-year-old "terrible-headed lizard" fossil found in China shows an embryo inside the motherclear evidence for live birth.

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Otzi the Iceman: Researchers validate the stability of genetic markers - Phys.Org