Studies Find Elusive Key to Cell Fate in Embryoo

They have discovered a striking new feature of the chromatin, the specialized protein molecules that protect and control the giant molecules of DNA that lie at the center of every chromosome. The feature explains how embryonic cells are kept in a poised state so that all of the genome's many developmental programs are blocked, yet each is ready to be executed if the cell is assigned to that developmental path. The developmental programs, directing a cell to become a neuron, say, or a liver cell, are initiated by master regulator genes. These genes have the power to reshape a cell's entire form and function because they control many lower genes.

Read more »

Flu Pandemic: Not just health but the economy

Noting that "pandemics are like earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis" - only worse because of their global nature - Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota painted an unsettling picture of pandemic bringing world trade and travel to a screeching halt. Economist Sherry Cooper elaborated with an analysis of supply and demand: since inventories are deliberately kept at razor-thin levels, there would be food shortages and panic buying of nonperishables, water and medical supplies; a black market would ensue. With companies operating at minimum staffing levels, most would find it difficult to continue operating if up to 30 percent of their employees were out with influenza - that includes oil refineries and electric companies, thus leading to gas shortages and extended blackouts. Cooper estimated a mild influenza pandemic could result in a global economic delcine of two percent on an annual basis; but a severe pandemic could result in a six percent decline, which would push the U.S. into a deep recession, deeper than the recession of 1982.

Read more »

Computer model details future flu pandemic

An influenza pandemic in the United States would crop up first in population centers like Houston and be largely over within four months, according to the researchers who created a complex computer simulation of a flu pandemic in the U.S. and Great Britain.

Read more »

Curing HIV in Germany ?

Every virus-resistant person has two mutant copies of a gene called CCR5, and a new biotech tool called zinc finger nucleases givve anyone that mutation. Instead of transferring bone marrow from another person, doctors could take a few cells from a patient, modify them to be HIV-resistant and then put them back in."

Read more »

German Qiagen up on talk of bid by Sanofi-Aventis

Shares in Qiagen rose more than 5 percent on Friday as traders cited market talk that French drug specialist Sanofi-Aventis was considering a bid for the German Biotech. "I've heard talk of a bid of 14.50 euros per share for Qiagen," a Frankfurt-based trader says. A spokesman at Sanofi-Aventis said the company does not comment on market rumours.

Read more »