Striking a balance between religion and science Jun 28, 2008
Today, however, shrill voices from the scientific and religious communities have created a tense climate for researchers in the United States, said Francis Collins, outgoing director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. Most people are inclined toward a spiritual side of existence and to trust science, too, said Collins, author of "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief" who received the 1998 Mendel Medal given by Villanova University to scientists who balance... (Albany Times Union)
At-Home Gene Tests Under Fire Jun 27, 2008
Dr. Francis S. Collins, a geneticist renowned for his landmark discoveries of disease genes who is director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, is torn about how to feel about the new industry. "I think this is both an exhilarating moment in terms of the opportunities to really begin to learn about our own personal risks of future diseases and have a chance to practice better prevention in an individualized way instead of doing one-size-fits-all medicine," Collins says. (ABC News)
DNA study unlocks mystery to diverse traits in dogs Jun 22, 2008
An international team of researchers, which included scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute, the University of Utah, Sundowners Kennels in Gilroy, California and Mars' Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition in the United Kingdom, studied simple genetic markers known as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, or SNPs, to find places in the dog genome that correlate with breed traits. Because many traits are "stereotyped" or fixed within breeds researchers can zero in on these "hot... (EurekAlert!)
The Future of AIDS Jun 16, 2008
Researchers from Pennsylvania State University and the National Human Genome Research Institute in Maryland reported in the April 28 edition of NatureNews that they had discovered a protein within human T cells, the main immune cell attacked by HIV. Knocking out the protein suppressed HIV replication. Targeting the human immune system itself could possibly avoid further drug resistance. (Suite101.com)
3 sequencing companies join 1000 Genomes Project Jun 12, 2008
Organizations that have already committed major support to the project are: the Beijing Genomics Institute, Shenzhen, China; the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, U.K.; and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health. The NHGRI-supported work is being done by the institute's Large-Scale Sequencing Network, which includes the Human Genome Sequencing Center at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston; the Broad Institute of MIT and... (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
'NATURE': Current issue Jun 5, 2008
The next head of the US National Human Genome Research Institute will need to be equipped to deal with the scientific, political and societal challenges presented by the burgeoning era of personal genomics. doi:10. (USA Today -- Tech)
Human Genome Project Head to Step Down May 29, 2008
FRANCIS COLLINS: After leading the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) for more than 15 years and overseeing work on the critical Human Genome Project (HGP), director Francis Collins today said he plans to step down from his position on August 1 ... National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) director today said he plans to step down from his position on August 1, after leading the organization for more than 15 years and overseeing work on the critical Human Genome Project... (Scientific American)
Genome 'trailblazer' Francis Collins departing research institute May 29, 2008
By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAY Francis Collins, the guitar-playing geneticist who mingled a belief in Christianity with a defense of evolution, said Wednesday that he would step down as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, where he led the historic effort to decode the human genome. Collins, author of three books, said he would leave the institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, on Aug. 1. (USA Today)
Bacteria thrive in crook of our elbow, but do us no harm May 24, 2008
They are helping to moisturize the skin by processing the raw fats it produces, says Julia Segre of the National Human Genome Research Institute. Segre and colleagues report their discovery of the six tribes in Genome Research. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
How species evolved with help of germs May 24, 2008
"We have evolved together with our bacteria," Dr Julie Segre of the National Human Genome Research Institute said. Both teams looked at the DNA of the bacteria, as opposed to trying to painstakingly grow them in lab dishes. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
Bacteria thrive in inner elbow; no harm done May 23, 2008
They are helping to moisturize the skin by processing the raw fats it produces, says Dr. Julia Segre of the National Human Genome Research Institute. Segre and colleagues report their discovery of the six tribes in a paper being published online on Friday in Genome Research. (International Herald Tribune)
US Studies Show Germs Help Species Evolve May 23, 2008
"We have evolved together with our bacteria," Dr. Julie Segre of the National Human Genome Research Institute said in a telephone interview. Both teams looked at the DNA of the bacteria, as opposed to trying to painstakingly grow them in lab dishes. (Planet Ark, United States)
Bush signs anti-discrimination bill Legislation protects people when... May 22, 2008
Each person probably has six or more genetic mutations that place him or her at risk for some disease, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute. Genetic tests look for alterations in a person's genes, and abnormal results can mean that someone has an inherited disorder. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Secrets of the Platypus revealed May 12, 2008
May 8, 2008 - 12:10AM. Scientists seeking to solve the riddle of the platypus have proved it is the first animal to have evolved from reptile to mammal and has the characteristics of both. (The Age)
Platypus Gene Research Reveals More Clues To Evolutionary Processes May 11, 2008
According to a New York Times article, the project was primarily financed by the National Human Genome Research Institute in the United States. Director, Francis S. Collins, said, "As weird as this animal looks, its genome sequence is priceless for understanding how mammalian biological processes evolved.". (AHN)
Genes Reveal Platypus Even Weirder Than Suspected May 9, 2008
The study, which included more than 100 scientists from across the globe, was funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Copyright. (Fox News -- Politics)
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act clears Senate May 9, 2008
The Center is supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, with research funding from the National Human Genome Research Institute and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. . (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Even platypus's genome is extraordinary May 9, 2008
At first glance, the platypus appears as if it was the result of an evolutionary accident, said Francis Collins, director of the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute, which funded the study. A platypus searches for food in its tank at Taronga zoo in Sydney, Australia. (Globe and Mail)
Scientists map the genome of the platypus May 8, 2008
"At first glance, the platypus appears as if it was the result of an evolutionary accident," said Francis S. Collins, director of the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute, which funded the study. "But as weird as this animal looks, its genome sequence is priceless for understanding how mammalian biological processes evolved," Collins said in a statement. (Cleveland.com)
Mixed-up platypus genome unscrambled May 8, 2008
The study, which included more than 100 scientists from across the globe, was funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute. Click for related content. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Platypus Genome Explains Animal's Peculiar Features; Holds Clues To Evolution Of Mammals May 8, 2008
The project was largely funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, and includes scientists from the United States, Australia, England, Germany, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Spain ... The platypus genome project was largely funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute. (Science Daily)
Scientists decode genome of platypus May 8, 2008
"Its genome sequence is priceless for understanding how fundamental mammalian biological processes have evolved," said Francis Collins, director of the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute. The team found that the platypus genome contains about the same number of protein-coding genes as other mammals -- approximately 18,500. (Xinhuanet, China)
Genetic tests may be trouble May 7, 2008
People are believed to have a handful of genetic mutations that put them at risk for some disease, the AP quotes the National Human Genome Research Institute. If that s so, and if this information about a person is discovered, discrimination in insurance or employment is the least of our problems. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Are There Missing Pieces to the Human Genome Project? May 6, 2008
If you ask the scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) when the Human Genome Project wrapped up, they'll tell you it was finished in 2003. However, a new study indicates that the cobbled together from parts of the genetic codes of four people (two men and two women), is definitely a work in progress. (Scientific American)
Redefining disease May 6, 2008
"I'm shaking my head with disbelief that two genes would pop up in these two diseases that have absolutely nothing in common," said Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. He said another gene, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A, seemed to be involved in cancer, diabetes and heart disease. (International Herald Tribune)
* Bush to sign first major civil rights act of 21st century May 3, 2008
Your skin color, your gender, all of those are part of your DNA, said Francis Collins, head of the National Human Genome Research Institute. Shouldnt the rest of your DNA also fall under that protective umbrella. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Anti-Genetic Testing Bill Passes May 3, 2008
"Your skin color, your gender, all of those are part of your DNA," said Francis Collins, head of the National Human Genome Research Institute ... Each person probably has six or more genetic mutations that place them at risk for some disease, according to the National Human Genome Research Institute ... According to National Human Genome Research Institute, 41 states already have enacted legislation related to genetic discrimination in health insurance and 31 states adopted laws regarding... (Time.com)
Eight New Human Genome Projects Offer Large-scale Picture Of Genetic Difference May 2, 2008
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis; the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Md ... The researchers were supported by the National Science Foundation, the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund, Merck, and the National Human Genome Research Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. (Science Daily)
U.S. Congress passes bill to bar bias based on genes May 2, 2008
"This clears away what in many people's mind had been a real cloud on the horizon," said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health. "Families with a strong history of genetic disease will have one less worry about the circumstances they find themselves in, and hooray for that.". (International Herald Tribune)
Can DNA tests reveal a criminal mind? Apr 21, 2008
"As the cost of gene testing comes down . . . we're likely to see clever defense counselors taking steps to use the outer reaches of genetic testing," said Judge Andre M. Davis of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, speaking at a recent Baltimore roundtable co-sponsored by the law school and the National Human Genome Research Institute. "The question is, can the judge manage the case so the jury is not taken down the primrose path of genetic test results?". (MSNBC -- Race)
Gut reactions Apr 21, 2008
Teri Manolio, who runs the office of population genomics at the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, says that the study finally demonstrates th 00004000 e feasibility of screening many metabolomes at one time. "It opens up a whole new avenue to looking at diet and microbes between populations," she says. (Nature News Service)
Genome scans go deep into your DNA Apr 12, 2008
"The public knows what is good for them. They could tell you like robots what it is. But they've become desensitized to it," says Colleen McBride, chief of social and behavioral research at the National Human Genome Research Institute. "One could argue that genetics is like ?ber-personalization . . . it is reasonable to think that it could get their attention.". (Los Angeles Times)
DNA breakthroughs yield results Apr 1, 2008
Dr. Teri Manolio of the National Human Genome Research Institute said it'll take more work to figure out the value of genetic testing for prostate cancer. There is no proven treatment to prevent it; the only advice to a man at higher risk would probably be for more aggressive screening for the disease. (Globe and Mail)
Major collaboration uncovers surprising new genetic clues to diabetes Mar 31, 2008
An international team that included scientists from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), today reported it has identified six more genetic variants involved in type 2 diabetes, boosting to 16 the total number of genetic risk factors associated with increased risk of the disease. None of the genetic variants uncovered by the new study had previously been suspected of playing a role in type 2 diabetes. (EurekAlert!)
Post the First Comment Mar 21, 2008
At 7:00 pm in Rudder Theatre, Francis Collins, the director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, and Steven Weinberg, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, will be speaking about the connections between science and religion. Respectively, their speech topics are "The Language of God" and "Without God.". (The Battalion, TX)
Blood Disease Protects Against Malaria In An Unexpected Way, Study Shows Mar 20, 2008
19, 2008) Children with an inherited blood disorder called alpha thalassemia make unusually small red blood cells that mostly cause a mild form of anemia. Now, researchers have discovered that this disorder has a benefit--it can protect children against one of the world's greatest killers, malaria, according to a new study. (Science Daily)
All Connected Mar 18, 2008
Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, said the paper combined two different ways of looking at genes in "a marvelously integrated way," leading to "stunning and unexpected" observations about the biology of obesity. "We've heard a lot of talk for several years about the promise of systems biology--but now that promise is really coming through," says Collins. (Forbes -- Business)
Darwin Was Wrong About Wild Origin Of The Chicken, New Research Shows Mar 4, 2008
2, 2004) The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced that the first draft of the chicken genome sequence has been deposited into free public. (Apr. (Science Daily)
Fear of insurance trouble leads many to shun or hide DNA tests Feb 25, 2008
"It's pretty clear that the public is afraid of taking advantage of genetic testing," said Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health. "If that continues, the future of medicine that we would all like to see happen stands the chance of being dead on arrival.". (International Herald Tribune)
DNA Findings Reveal Genetic History of Humans Feb 22, 2008
The 1,000 Genomes Project will receive major support from the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in England, and the Beijing Genomics Institute in China. "This new project will increase the sensitivity of disease discovery efforts across the genome fivefold and within gene regions at least 10-fold," NHGRI director Dr. Francis S. Collins said in a prepared statement. (MEDLINEplus)
Thomson Scientific Examines Biology's Hottest Institutions, Authors and Journals Feb 20, 2008
The National Human Genome Research Institute came in second place with 337 ... 5 2 National Human Genome Research Institute 337. (PR Newswire)
Making cells like computers Feb 18, 2008
As Francis Collins, the head of the National Human Genome Research Institute, recently said, we are in the midst of "a scientific revolution" in our understanding of what genes are and how they work. Perhaps no one was more surprised by this complexity than researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute. (Boston Globe)
Feds Agree to Toxicity Tests That Cut Animal Testing Feb 16, 2008
Courtesy of NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute ... "The desire here is to see if we could do better," said Francis Collins, director of the NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute. (Scientific American)
Robots could reduce animal tests Feb 16, 2008
Speaking in a live link-up, Dr Francis Collins, Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institute of Health (NIH), said high throughput screening might provide a faster, cheaper method of testing environmental chemicals. Could we, in fact, instead of looking at a whole animal as our first line of analysis, look at individual cells. (BBC News -- Science)
U.S. Seeks to Limit Animal Testing of Toxic Chemicals Feb 16, 2008
"The research collaboration we are announcing today really has the potential to revolutionize the way toxic chemicals are identified," Dr. Francis Collins, director of the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute, said during a morning teleconference. This collaboration is still a research effort, Collins noted. (MEDLINEplus)
Please sequence my eel Feb 9, 2008
Small projects will, more and more, be feasible to do outside a large-scale sequencing context, says Adam Felsenfeld, a director at the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. When an individual organism genome can be sequenced de novo and assembled for a few hundred thousand dollars or less we are not quite there yet, but could be in a year or two it makes less and less sense to do this via a centralized mechanism. (Nature News Service)
Phenotype and Course of Hutchinson–Gilford Progeria Syndrome Feb 7, 2008
From the National Human Genome Research Institute (M.A.M., A.C.M.S., A.G., F.S.C., W.A.G., W.J.I.); Intramural Office of Rare Disease, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health (M.A.M.); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (V.S., E.G.N., R.O.C.); the Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine (M.B.P., B.S.), Nutrition (J.G.), and Nuclear Medicine (J.C.R.), Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health; National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (C.C.B., C.Z.,... (New England Journal of Medicine)
Search For The 'On' Switches May Reveal Genetic Role In Development And Disease Jan 26, 2008
The study was funded by the Duke IGSP and the National Human Genome Research Institute. Other researchers involved with this study were Alan Boyle of the IGSP at Duke; Sean Davis, Elliott Margulies and Paul Meltzer of the National Institutes of Health; and Hennady Shulha and Zhiping Weng of Boston University. (Science Daily)
* Scientists team up for 1000 Genomes Project Jan 24, 2008
England's Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the US National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and China's Beijing Genomics Institute-Shenzhen are forming the 1000 Genomes Project to create a new map of the human genome with the most detailed data yet on DNA variations with biomedical significance. "The 1000 Genomes Project will examine the human genome at a level of detail that no one has done before," said Richard Durbin of the Sanger Institute. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
1000 Genomes: Most Detailed Map Of Human Genetic Variation To Support Disease Studies Jan 24, 2008
The project will receive major support from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, England, the Beijing Genomics Institute, Shenzhen (BGI Shenzhen) in China and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) ... 16, 2006) The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), today announced its latest round of sequencing targets, with an emphasis on enhancing the. (Science Daily)
Project Will Map Genomes of 1,000 People Worldwide Jan 24, 2008
As outlined by an international team of researchers on Tuesday, the 1000 Genomes Project will receive major support from the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in England, and the Beijing Genomics Institute in China. "The 1000 Genomes Project will examine the human genome at a level of detail that no one has done before," consortium co-chair Richard Durbin, of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, said in a prepared statement. (MEDLINEplus)
Detailed gene map 'within grasp' Jan 23, 2008
The work to sequence (read) human DNA will be carried out by the Sanger Institute in Cambridge, Beijing Genomics Institute in Shenzhen, and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which is part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). They will use samples from volunteer donors who gave informed consent for their DNA to be analysed and placed in public databases. (BBC News -- Health)
World genomes project to promote research on human diseases Jan 23, 2008
It will receive major support from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, England, the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) Shenzhen, China and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). Drawing on the expertise of multidisciplinary research teams, the 1000 Genomes Project will develop a new map of the human genome that will provide a view of biomedically relevant DNA variations at a resolution unmatched by current resources. (Xinhuanet, China)
International genome project launched Jan 22, 2008
The other two are the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK; and the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland ... "This will give us a much more complete catalogue of genetic variation, and that is going to have a profound impact on our ability to understand the risk factors underlying disease," says Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. (Nature News Service)
Gene combo may hike prostate cancer risk Jan 18, 2008
"It gives us a new way of looking at genetic risk factors," said Dr. Teri Manolio of the National Human Genome Research Institute, the federal agency focused on such work. It also might lead to a blood test to predict who is likely to develop prostate cancer. (USA Today -- News)
New Motor System Impairment Diagnosing Tool Developed Jan 16, 2008
29, 2003) Scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) have identified the gene responsible for two related. (Sep. (Science Daily)
Human Evolution May Be Spurred By Gene Loss Dec 15, 2007
This research was funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute, the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Adapted from materials provided by. (Science Daily)
Weighing Risks Written in DNA Dec 6, 2007
After almost 20 years spent reading, mapping and analyzing human DNA, researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) believe that personal genetic information is nearly ready for use by consumers in managing their health. To determine whether that is so, however, the institute is launching a large-scale study. (Nature News Service)
Move over Bill Nye - there's a new science guy Dec 4, 2007
In 1993, Collins accepted the position of director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, leading the International Human Genome Project in its work to map and understand all human genes. Collins described his position as the "project manager or field marshal" of the 13-year effort. (The Cavalier Daily, VA)
Mutant Sperm Guide Clinicians To New Diseases Dec 4, 2007
3, 2007) Some rearrangements of the human genome occur more frequently than previously thought, according to new research. The work is likely to lead to new identification of genes involved in disease and to improve diagnosis of genomic disease. (Science Daily)
Twin, friends stage benefit for sister, others with cancer Nov 17, 2007
Cronin, a malignant melanoma researcher for the National Human Genome Research Institute, said she has seen cancer patients in their 20s and 30s at the National Institutes of Health, but hopes this benefit can make more young people aware that they may also be at risk. "I think it's a wake-up call for us to pay attention to our health, but also that this particularly is treatable," she said, adding funds raised for the Leukemia oma Society will support their assistance of patients and their... (Howard County Times, MD)
RTI International wins $6.8M federal job Nov 16, 2007
NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute is working to fund the study, which will focus on measures for diseases such as heart and kidney conditions. RTI International employs more than 2,600 people in 40 countries, including more than 2,000 in the Triangle. (Raleigh Triangle Business Journal, NC)
Surprises in fly genome Nov 8, 2007
Finding new protein-coding genes in an organism as well-studied as D. melanogaster is "an interesting surprise," said of the National Human Genome Research Institute in Rockville, Md. who was not involved in the work. (The Scientist)
Scientists compare 12 fruit fly genomes Nov 8, 2007
"Scientists around the world now have a rich new source of genomic data that can be mined in many different ways and applied to other important model systems as well as humans," said Francis Collins, director of the U.S. National Human Genome Research Institute, which supported the project. Editor: Yan Liang. (Xinhuanet, China)
Novel Gene Alterations Identified In Lung Cancer Nov 7, 2007
6, 2007) An international team of scientists, supported in part by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), one of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), today announced that its systematic effort to map the genomic changes underlying lung cancer has uncovered a critical gene alteration not previously linked to any form of cancer. The research, published in the journal Nature, also revealed more than 50 genomic regions that are frequently gained or lost in lung adenocarcinoma, the... (Science Daily)
