Monthly Archives: May 2017

The Human Genome Project (HGP) was the most ambitious and sweeping scientific analysis of our DNA, ever. Just a reminder, a genome is a complete set of instructions or DNA, the blueprints for building an entire organism. The project brought countless findings, which are just beginning to shape medicine and society.

Yet, something else has become quite clear. Being able to read our DNA doesnt mean you know everything about it. To further develop understanding, a new program seeks to write whole genomes from scratch, including plant, microbe, animal, and even human DNA. But that last one is creating a firestorm of controversy over whether we should be doing it at all.

Today, we have the entire human genome laid out before us, around three billion base pairs total. These are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T). When snapped together, they form the iconic double helix were all familiar with. The genome is so complex, theres a lot we just dont know or even understand about it. For instance, we still arent sure how these base pairs work alongside one another.

Wikipedia Commons.

So how can genetics move forward? You dont really understand something inside and out without taking it apart, putting it back together, and making it yourself. As the renowned physicist Richard Feynman once said, "What I cannot create, I do not understand?

Using the information locked in the nucleotides, the ultimate goal is to be able to manipulate our genome and those of other organisms, to suit human needs. These include curing disease, producing more and healthier food, and someday perhaps, enhancing the human body beyond its current capabilities. Going down this road raises all kinds of ethical questions, however.

Because of this, over 100 experts from all over the world met in secret last year at Harvard Medical School. Attendees were asked not to share what had taken place at the meeting. Some scientists snubbed the event, since the press wasnt invited, even though ultimately, reporters found out and it was plastered all over the internet. The point was to create what came to be known as, the Human Genome Project-Write (GP-Write).

Around 250 researchers met again in New York City on May 9-10 of this year. Event attendees discussed logistics, ethics, and applications surrounding the project. The group behind GP-Write is now seeking $100 million for the first thrust of their project. Since the closed door session last year and the criticism it garnered, scientists are more open about the project now. Theyve even published an article and a white paper, explaining their proposal in detail.

One of the fears is that such technology will lead to designer babies. Getty Images.

Jef Boeke is one of the scientists leading the project. He is the director of the Institute for Systems Genetics at New York University. Dr. Boeke recently announced that GP-Write will be able to create artificial human DNA within 4-5 years.

Some geneticists think Dr. Boekes timeline is too ambitious. But most agree that well create an artificial orgasm within the next decade. What are the benefits? Consider 3D printing organs for transplant, eliminating the donor waiting list. Or engineering an immune cell to combat something like an Ebola outbreak more effectively. It may also help us better understand and someday eliminate the role of genes in the development of diseases.

Knowledge acquired through GP-Write could ultimately allow scientists to make human cells resistant to infection, radiation, and even cancer. The results might also lead to new drugs, advanced stem cell therapy, novel gene therapies, and even new biofuels.

To create an organism from scratch, innovative techniques will have to be devised. One thing scientists cant do yet is, take whole sections of DNA and connect them in the right places. CRISPR-a9 or gene editing, will likely help to devise other, similar techniques. Once researchers have artificial chromosomes, theyll inject them into hollow cells and see if they start dividing.

We could design other organisms too, like mosquitoes who can no longer carry dangerous bacteria. Getty Images.

Preliminary experiments are already underway. Critics argue that such efforts could lead to designer babies. Here, certain traits like skin color, height, sex, appearance, and intelligence would be selected by prospective parents. After the outrages propagated by eugenicists and the Nazis during World War II, trying to build a master race, one isnt so baffled by such concerns. Theres even worry over the possibility of patenting genes. Income inequality wouldnt hold a candle to biologically designed inequality, now would it?

Something else thats worrisome, scientists might accidentally create a new genetic disease that could enter the genome and be passed down to future generations. Or, artificially designed cells could get out and wreak havoc in the environment. Dr. Boeke is no longer shying away from public concerns. Now he invites comment. Francis Collins is the director of the US National Institutes of Health. He said, "Moving beyond reading DNA to writing DNA is a natural next step." But he also cautioned that input and discussion with the public is critical.

This is not only to clear up misinformation and garner input but to help shape what regulations should be in place. Just like with other breakout technologies, the innovation seems to be outpacing regulatory efforts. So far, the US has no coordinated biotech policy in place.

Besides controversy, the other stumbling block is cost. The current projection is $.10 per base pair. With three billion of them, the cost quickly adds up. The Human Genome Project cost $3 billion and took 13 years to complete. Should they receive appropriate funding, renowned geneticist George Church at Harvard University, will launch an experiment. He will be heading the program along with Dr. Boeke.

To learn more about GP-Write, click here:

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Human DNA Will Be Synthesized Within 5 Years, Prominent Geneticist States - Big Think

Say hello once again to Noah and Emma, who made the top of the baby names list for the third year in a row. The Social Security Administration has released the data on what Americans named their babies in 2016, and at the top, it looks almost exactly the same as last year.

The top 10 names for boys were Noah, Liam, William, Mason, James, Benjamin, Jacob, Michael, Elijah, and Ethan. Elijah is new on the list (it was 11th last year) replacing Alexander (which is now at 11). For girls, the top names were Emma, Olivia, Ava, Sophia, Isabella, Mia, Charlotte, Abigail, Emily, and Harper, which were all on the top 10 for 2015.

The naming picture isn't all the same as last year, though. A look at the list of the top 1000 names reveals where things might be changing. On the girls list, Caitlyn took a nose dive, dropping off the top 1000 list from 598 the year before. Also dropping off the list were Caitlin, Katelynn, Kaitlynn, and Kaelynn, andKaylin, Kaylynn, Katelyn, and Kaitlyn took significant tumbles.

However, another K name, Kehlani, made the biggest jump in popularity, making its debut on the top 1000 at 872 (from a previous 3359). The name Kaylani also made an impressive debut at 755, up from 1056 (Kehlani is the name of an up=and=coming singer/songwriter.)

A K name made a huge popularity jump in boys names as well. Debuting in the top 1000 at 901 is Kylo, as in Kylo Ren. Other names from the 2015 film The Force Awakens that moved up were Finn and Leia. Anakin was also up 132 places, to 778, the most popular its ever been. Another 2015 movie that seems to have made a name impact was Creed: The name debuted at 982, and Apollo moved up 167 places to 584.

Pop stars also had an effect on boys' names. A big boost was seen for Zayn, as in Zayn Malik. It was up 222 places to 421. Zayne, Zain, and Zane also moved up.

The rise of Harry by 101 places to 679 may have something to do with Zayns former bandmate Harry Styles, but could also have something to do with a resurgence of older, traditional names, some of which are back in the top 1000 after having disappeared for a while, including Ralph (now at 992), Alistair (at 882), and Howard (at 900).

Some traditional girls' names seem to be making a comeback too. There were big moves up the list for Mavis (789), Maxine (904), and Louise (897), which all rose about 200 places. To make room for them, some later, but once incredibly popular names like Kristen, Jenny, Denise, and Asia have now fallen out of the top 1000. For boys, the same has happened to Freddy, Tyrone, Deshawn, and Todd.

See the article here:
Scientists Sequence DNA of Century-Old Pediatric Tumors - Mental Floss

Patch.com

Unidentified Bodies Stacking Up At Cook Co. Morgue Patch.com When DNA testing is required, the remains are sent to the University of North Texas, Schlikerman said. But Cook County medical examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar told CBS 2 Chicago that funding problems at the university have caused some delays in testing. and more »

Originally posted here:
Unidentified Bodies Stacking Up At Cook Co. Morgue - Patch.com

We already know much about the threat of climate change to staple crops such as wheat, maize and rice, but the impact on tea is just coming into focus.

Mapping the exact sequence of DNA in this way provides the foundation for extracting all the genetic information needed to help breed and speed up development of new varieties of the tea plant. And it could even help improve the drink's flavor and nutritional value.

In particular, the whole tea tree genome reveals the genetic basis for tea's tolerance to environmental stresses, pest and disease resistance, flavor, productivity and quality.

Breeders could more precisely produce better tea varieties that produce higher crop yields and use water and nutrients more efficiently. And they could do this while widening the genetic diversity of tea plants, improving the overall health of the tea plant population.

This is also an important milestone for scientists because it provides a deeper understanding of the complex evolution and the functions of key genes associated with stress tolerance, tea flavor and adaptation.

The new tea genome is very large, with nearly 37,000 genes -- more than four times the size of the coffee plant genome.

The process of evolution by natural selection has already helped the tea plant develop hundreds of genes related to resisting environmental stress from drought and disease.

These genes are like molecular markers that scientists can identify when selecting plants for use in breeding. This will allow them to be more certain that the next generation of plants they produce will have the genes and so the traits they want, speeding up the breeding process.

For example, we could also remove the caffeine biosynthetic genes from the tea plant to help breeding of low or non-caffeine varieties.

By boosting certain compounds at the same time, we could make tea healthier and develop entirely new flavors to make caffeine tea more appealing.

And its huge cultural importance, as well as its economic value, mean securing a sustainable future for tea is vitally important for millions of people.

The first successful sequencing of the tea genome is a crucial step to making tea plants more robust, productive and drinkable in the face of massive environmental challenges.

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Climate change threatens tea -- but its DNA could save it - CNN