What’s in your DNA? #4

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 27, 2007 in In Your DNA

Hope you’re enjoying a sunny weekend. I believe the Brits have sunning in their DNA because whenever the sun comes out, everyone’s out baking themselves. Don’t forget your sunscreen! Check out what else everyone’s got in their DNA.

From Words and Pictures:

Something ingrained in my DNA loved yard sales so much I couldn’t see one without stopping.

From Our Journey:

I just want to be able to sit and be still, but it just isn’t in my DNA.

From JustFrances:

I got lucky in the genes lottery I think. I don’t feel envy, I never have, I don’t know, it’s not in my DNA.

Tags: genes, genetics, dna, genome, genomics, in my dna

(>> Start a discussion!)

Genetic Passports for Russians

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 26, 2007 in DNA Around the World

The Russian Institute of General Genetics is advising “genome registration” for criminals. Russian-InfoCentre reports that several Russian cities already issue “genetic passports” containing info on two to three dozen genes for people who are wishing to get married.

In January 2006 at the meeting of the Presidium of Russian Academy of Sciences, scientists discussed the use of genetic passports to:

• Assess and reduce risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer
• Prevent neurodegenerative diseases
• Analyze neurophysiological characteristics of an individual at the molecular level
• Identify newborns who are susceptible to allergens, medications and other “agents”
• Examine genetic variants of the central nervous system to “reveal future abilities”
• Promote personalized medicine
• Collect genetic biometric data on the Russian population
• Unambiguously identify anyone

Nikolay Plate, vice-president of the Russian Academy of Sciences, expressed concern over whether the healthcare system could handle an influx of genetic data. He also worried about unspecified “career problems.” There was no mention of genetic privacy violations.

Good to see that Russian scientists are interested in genetics and DNA technology. Not so good to see that they are portrayed as believing in genetic determinism. Doubly not good that they may use genetic data to conduct surveillance on its citizens.

Tags: genetics, genes, dna, genome, genomics, privacy, russia, medicine, health, personalized medicine

(9 comments)

Biocomputers Made of DNA, RNA, and Proteins

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 26, 2007 in DNA Inventions and Gadgets

OK. I really have no idea how these DNA/RNA/protein biocomputers work (and I tried, honestly I tried) but they sound very cool.

Harvard professor Yaakov (Kobi) Benenson :

Currently we have no tools for reading cellular signals. These biocomputers can translate complex cellular signatures, such as activities of multiple genes, into a readily observed output. They can even be programmed to automatically translate that output into a concrete action, meaning they could either be used to label a cell for a clinician to treat or they could trigger therapeutic action themselves.

Tags: biocomputers, genetics, genes, dna, medicine, health

(1 comment)

Partial DNA Match for Nailing Criminals

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 25, 2007 in DNA and the Law

If a member of your family has committed a crime and been made to submit a DNA sample to CODIS, the FBI-run Combined DNA Index System, you’d better stay out of trouble yourself. Even if your DNA profile is not in the database, a partial match between a crime scene sample and your relative’s could still lead investigators to you.

Partial DNA match can also be used to exonerate wrongly convicted people. Darryl Hunt spent 19 years behind bars for rape and murder before a partial match was made to a felon named Anthony Brown. This match then led to Brown’s older brother, Willard.

Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey has been working to have every state in the U.S. approve partial DNA matches for investigating crime. Already common in the UK, the approach is called “familial DNA.” The practice has drawn media attention lately because critics believe it could be an invasion of privacy.

Stephen Mercer, a Maryland attorney, said in a 60 Minutes report – A Not So Perfect Match:

Now you’re subjecting a whole new class of innocent people to genetic surveillance by the government.

With this new technology, no one has ever considered, ‘Well, if my brother’s DNA ends up in the database, and he’s forfeited his privacy rights by becoming a convicted felon, has he also forfeited my privacy rights, as well, as a wholly innocent family member.” That puts me under lifelong genetic surveillance.

Should we be afraid of partial match even if we have never committed and have no intention of ever commiting a crime?

NB: You can also watch the video version of Lesley Stahl’s 60 Minutes report.

Tags: partial match, familial DNA, crime, genetics, genes, dna, criminals

(4 comments)

The Genetics of Sexual Development

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 25, 2007 in DNA and Disease

All parents wonder whether their unborn child will be a boy or girl. Some choose to find out early with the help of gender prediction DNA tests or ultrasound. But for one in 4,500 births, babies are born with a “disorder of sexual development” (DSD)* in which their genitals are considered to be “intersex.” Five sex-assignment surgeries are performed in US hospitals each day.

Dr. Eric Vilain of UC Irvine is studying the genetics of sexual development. His lab has found 50 new gene candidates on multiple mice chromosomes that may be involved in differential sex expression. This is in addition to:

• SRY male-determining gene on the Y chromosome
• DAX1 female-determining gene on the X chromsome
• WNT4 female-determining gene on chromosome 1

Coincidentally, I am about to begin reading Middlesex, a fictional account of a hermaphrodite, by Jeffrey Eugenides. I wonder how my understanding of the book will be filtered through the knowledge of multiple genes affecting gender determination.

Have you read Middlesex? What did you think?

*Dr. Vilain and the Intersex Society of North America are working to have replace “hermaphrodite,” male or female “pseudohermaphrodite,” and “intersex” with “disorder of sexual development.”

Tags: hermaphrodite, disorder of sexual development, intersex, genes, genetics, dna, sry, dax1, wnt4, genomics, genome

(7 comments)

Genetically Modified Crops with Mini-Chromosomes

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 24, 2007 in Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms

If anything mini is cute, do mini-chromosomes qualify? Monsanto, the (infamous?) agricultural company that has developed a number of genetically modified (GM) seeds including Roundup Ready soybean, has teamed up with Chromatin, a start-up that has bioengineered mini-chromosomes containing genes for multiple traits. The mini-chromosomes are modeled on the target crop’s existing chromosomes with the key component being centromeres which “provide stability and ensure inheritance of the mini-chromosome and the added traits that confer the desired product benefits.” Chromatin’s proprietary gene-stacking technology can be used to produce genetically modified corn, cotton, soybeans, and canola.

Gene-stacking technology is especially important considering all the various modifications that are made in the name of improving crops. Drugs, biomaterials, textiles, and “nutritionally improved foods” can all be produced more quickly and at less cost using crops that are modified a batch of genes at a time. Also, crops like Roundup Ready are often engineered to tolerate herbicides as well as resist pests and diseases. And, given our expectations for having a selection of fresh fruits and vegetables year-round regardless of nature’s growing season, mini-chromosomes can also be used to manipulate a plant’s life cycle.

Pretty powerful abilities for such cute-sounding chromosomes.

Chicago Tribune, May 23, 2007

Tags: chromatin, monsanto, roundup ready, genetically modified, gm seeds, agriculture, genetics, genes, dna, gene stacking technology

(>> Start a discussion!)

A Call for Gene Genie Submissions

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 24, 2007 in DNA in General, Eye on DNA Headlines

Important Announcement!

On June 3rd, I will be hosting Gene Genie here at Eye on DNA. To participate, all you need to do is send me a post all about genes and gene-related diseases. You can also use this submission form. Looking forward to reading all of your submissions. The more the merrier!

Now on to today’s Eye on DNA links:

• Sandy at Discovering Biology in a Digital World shares her opinion on nepotism, Google, and personal genomics.
• Walter at Highlight HEALTH talks about the medical blogosphere and the state of healthcare blogging.
• Blaine at The Genetic Genealogist has an excellent explanation of how SNPs and haplotypes can be handy for creating a person’s genotype except in the case of rare mutations.
• Carl Zimmer at The Loom discusses the tangled web of genes determining complex physical traits like obesity and cleverly segues to the issue of fair use. Also don’t miss Carl’s latest article – Mendel’s Mouse in the May issue of Discover.

Tags: genetics, genes, dna, gene genie, genome, genomics

(1 comment)

DNA Quote of the Day – Martin Varsavsky and 23andMe

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 24, 2007 in DNA Quotes and Excerpts

23andMe investor Martin Varsavsky made the following comment in a VentureBeat post about Google’s investment in the personal genome company:

…Having said this it is not really Google here. It is [co-founders] Anne [Wojcicki] and Linda [Avey] running the show and hopefully succeeding at creating a global search engine for human genes that will help us know more about how we are related to each other and how we can fight disease and live longer and better lives.

A global search engine for human genes? Did anyone else get goosebumps after reading that? Or is it just me?

Tags: 23andme, genetics, genes, genome, genomics, dna, diseases, illness, health, medicine, google

(7 comments)

DNA Structure, Packaging, and Replication Videos

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 23, 2007 in DNA Podcasts and Videos

Found these pretty videos of DNA while poking around on Technorati for mentions of “DNA.” The first video discusses DNA structure.

Continue reading…

(1 comment)

Eye on DNA Links – May 23, 2007

by Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei
Posted May 23, 2007 in Eye on DNA Headlines

Some good DNA-related reading today. Hop to it!

• Tangled Bank #80 at geek counterpoint
• Steve at SillyDad.com! with more thoughts on Which Twin is the Father?, a follow-up on my earlier post.
• Chimera at Princess Chimera’s Realm was fascinated by the DNA pendants and wants to know what you would like to do with your DNA.
• Laura at CFS Squared: Tales of CFS honored me with a Thinking Blogger Award. :bow: Thank you, dear!
• Peggy at Biology in Science Fiction writes about genetics on the big screen and don’t miss one of her most popular posts – Genetics of Heroes.
• Kristina at Autism Vox discusses A Blood Test, Bioscience, and a Business Plan.

Tags: genetics, genes, dna, genome, genomics

(1 comment)