Category Archives: Human Genetics

BRUSSELS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Delphi Genetics SA (Delphi) has announced today a broad licensing agreement with a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, for the use of the StabyExpress technology, which allows high yield, cost effective protein expression without the use of antibiotics.

Under the agreement, Merck receives a non-exclusive license to use the StabyExpress technology for protein expression in research and product development. In exchange, Delphi is eligible to receive milestone payments associated with the development of Merck product candidates that utilize the StabyExpress technology, as well as royalties on sales of such products. The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Cdric Szpirer PhD, Delphi Genetics Founder and CEO, explained: This is Delphi's first broad-based licensing agreement that covers potential use of the StabyExpress technology for protein based product in the areas of human and animal health.

Guy Hlin, CBO, added: This is the third licensing agreement that we have announced with a world leading healthcare company. The non-exclusive nature of this agreement enables us to consider similar collaborations with other strategic partners, including partners in other fields than biopharma production.

Delphi also has licensing agreements with Sanofi-Pasteur, announced in June 2009, and with GSK, announced in September 2010.

About StabyExpress

StabyExpress technology can be applied to any industrial protein production process that involves bacterial fermentation. Biopharmaceutical production represents a rapidly growing market and its share of the overall medication market today is estimated at 15%. Moreover, the technology is consistent with the recommendations of the FDA and the EMA with regard to the elimination of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in protein production processes for both human and veterinary uses. Currently, Antibiotic Resistance Genes are used as selection markers for the design of the majority of the genetic systems enabling protein production. The technology is also usable to produce DNA vaccines in order to avoid completely the use of antibiotics resistance genes from DNA cloning to DNA production.

About Delphi Genetics SA

Founded at the end of 2001, Delphi Genetics develops more effective products and technologies for genetic engineering and for protein expression in bacteria by using its unique expertise in the field of plasmid stabilisation systems. Delphi Genetics patented StabyExpress technology increases the recombinant protein production output without the use of antibiotics, which is the traditional approach. In January 2012, together with academic and Biotech key-players, Delphi Genetics announced its participation in a research project during the next 3 years for the development of DNA vaccines using the technology. Other research projects are under way to adapt the technology to mammalian cells and yeast.

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Delphi Genetics Grants Merck License for the Use of the StabyExpress™ System

ScienceDaily (Oct. 5, 2012) An African mosquito species with a deadly capacity to transmit malaria has a perplexing evolutionary history, according to discovery by researchers at the Fralin Life Science Institute at Virginia Tech.

Closely related African mosquito species originated the ability to transmit human malaria multiple times during their recent evolution, according to a study published this week in PLoS Pathogens by Igor Sharakhov, an associate professor of entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Maryam Kamali of Tehran, Iran, a Ph.D. student in the department of entomology. The discovery could have implications for malaria control by enabling researchers to detect and target specific genetic changes associated with the capacity to transmit a parasite.

Malaria causes as many as 907,000 deaths each year, mostly among children in sub-Saharan Africa. Anopheles mosquitoes, which bite mainly between dusk and dawn, transmit human malaria by spreading Plasmodium parasites that multiply in the human liver and infect red blood cells. But of the more than 400 species of mosquito belonging to the Anopheles genus, only about 20 are effective vectors of human malaria, according to the World Health Organization.

The most dangerous of these is the Anopheles gambiae mosquito species, one of seven in the Anopheles gambiae complex, which was thought to have recently evolved the ability to transmit malaria. However, Virginia Tech scientists' discoveries suggest that this species is actually genetically linked to an older, ancestral lineage.

Scientists used chromosomal analysis to compare gene arrangements for mosquitoes both inside and outside the Anopheles gambiae family to trace the evolutionary connections.

"The outside species served as a reference group for understanding the evolutionary relationship among Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes," Kamali said. "Our goal was to determine how different species arose in the Anopheles gambiae complex, as they all look identical, but have different behaviors and capacities to transmit human malaria."

When resolving the Anopheles gambiae evolutionary history, the scientists identified breaks in DNA that lead to new chromosomal arrangements, and used these rearrangements to demonstrate the repeated evolution of the ability to transmit a parasite, in a back-and-forth fashion.

"This curious stop-and-go flexibility could help us to better understand the nature of the mosquito's capacity to transmit malaria, and calls into question what is driving the genetic flexibility," Sharakhov said.

The discovery is innovative in the field of genetics research.

"The surprising aspect of the paper is the proposal of an ancestral and relatively ancient 2La polymorphism which arose in a hypothetical ancestor and has been maintained in Anopheles gambiae ever since," said Nora Besansky, the Rev. John Cardinal O'Hara C.S.C. professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame, who was not involved in the study. "If confirmed, this would certainly lend novel insight into the evolutionary dynamics of chromosomal inversions in general, not only in mosquitoes."

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Mosquito genetics may offer clues to control malaria, researchers say

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/jtwtps/human_genes_and) has announced the addition of Elsevier Science and Technology's new book "Human Genes and Genomes. Science, Health, Society" to their offering.

In the nearly 60 years since Watson and Crick proposed the double helical structure of DNA, the molecule of heredity, waves of discoveries have made genetics the most thrilling field in the sciences. The study of genes and genomics today explores all aspects of the life with relevance in the lab, in the doctor's office, in the courtroom and even in social relationships. In this helpful guidebook, one ofthe most respected and accomplished human geneticists of our time communicates the importance of genes and genomics studies in all aspects of life. With the use of core concepts and the integration of extensive references, this book provides students and professionals alike with the most in-depth view of the current state of the science and its relevance across disciplines.

- Bridges the gap between basic human genetic understanding and one of the most promising avenues for advances in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of human disease.

- Includes the latest information on diagnostic testing, population screening, predicting disease susceptibility, pharmacogenomics and more

- Explores ethical, legal, regulatory and economic aspects of genomics in medicine.

- Integrates historical (classical) genetics approach with the latest discoveries in structural and functional genomics

Key Topics Covered:

Foreword

Framing the Field

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Research and Markets: Human Genes and Genomes. Science, Health, Society Provides Students and Professionals Alike With ...

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, October 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

ORF Genetics announced today that the company has added endotoxin- and animal-free human Fibroblast Growth Factor Basic (FGF basic) and mouse Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (mouse LIF) to its portfolio of growth factors for stem cell research.

Most growth factors applied in stem cell research today are made in E. coli bacteria, which produce endotoxins that can have adverse effect on stem cell cultures. Other manufacturers of growth factors have various methods to remove these endotoxins, but traces inevitably remain, which can lead to increased death rate of cells and other suboptimal effects in cell cultures. Other growth factors on the market today are made by animal cells. However, most stem cell researchers prefer to use growth factors of non-animal origin to exclude risks of viral contamination and the inclusion of growth factor homologs.

This has led to a market demand for alternative sources of animal-free growth factors, void of endotoxins. ORF Genetics' unique growth factors are produced in the seeds of the barley plant, which does not produce any endotoxins or other substances toxic to mammalian cells.

FGF basic and mouse LIF are key growth factors for the cultivation of their respective stem cells, i.e. FGF basic for human stem cells and mouse LIF for mouse stem cells. Each protein is used to expand the stem cells' populations before researchers make them differentiate into various cell types, such as heart, liver or neural cells.

"ORF Genetics has built a reputation for offering the first plant-made, endotoxin-free and animal-free growth factor portfolio for stem cell researchers. As we are producing these growth factors in our novel plant expression system ORFEUS, we are very happy to be able to offer these high quality growth factors at more efficient prices than market leaders," said Bjrn rvar, CEO of ORF Genetics.

ORF Genetics is a world leader of plant made growth factors and offers a portfolio of endotoxin- and animal-free growth factors for human stem cell research. The company's production takes place in a biorisk-free production system in barley, bypassing conventional bacteria and animal cell production systems. The cultivation of barley takes place in greenhouses in inert volcanic pumice, using renewable geothermal energy.

For more information please contact:

Dr. Hakon Birgisson, Director of Global Market Development Tel: +354-821-1585 email:hakon.birgisson@orfgenetics.com

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ORF Genetics to Offer endotoxin- and Animal-free FGFb and mLIF for Stem Cell Research

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Genetics, Inc. (MYGN) today announced that, in support of National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Week and National Previvor Day, it has launched an online quiz to help people assess their risk for hereditary cancers. The Hereditary Cancer Quiz is available online at http://www.hereditarycancerquiz.com. In addition, the company is providing financial support toward educational and awareness initiatives to three advocacy organizations-Bright Pink, the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) and Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC).

HBOC Week marks the transition between National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and was established by U.S. Congressional resolution in 2010 to raise awareness about hereditary cancer. National Previvor Day raises awareness for those individuals who have a known gene mutation or a strong family history of cancer but have not yet developed cancer.

"Understanding their risk for hereditary cancers, such as breast and ovarian cancer, is critical to helping patients make informed decisions about treatment and prevention. Our hereditary cancer risk quiz empowers patients to understand their family history and provides a framework for an informative discussion with a healthcare professional," said Mark Capone, President, Myriad Genetic Laboratories. "In addition, organizations such as Bright Pink, NOCC and Living Beyond Breast Cancer offer hereditary cancer patients and their families vital support and information in their fight against these diseases, and we are proud to support their efforts."

"Funding from Myriad and our other partner companies assists our organization in offering better and more valuable resources to hereditary cancer patients and their families," said David Barley, Chief Executive Officer, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. "We are proud to work with Myriad, as they play a major role in the understanding and diagnosis of a person's hereditary risk for cancer."

About Hereditary Cancer

Hereditary cancers, also called inherited cancers, are those caused by genetic mutations that are passed from parent to child. These mutations predispose people to developing a particular type of cancer. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common cause of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers and can lead to male breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and others. Women with a BRCA mutation are five times more likely to develop breast cancer than those without the mutation and more than ten times as likely to develop ovarian cancer1. Approximately 7%2 of breast cancer and approximately 14% 3,4,5 of invasive ovarian cancer result from inherited gene mutations.

DNA testing for BRCA mutations is done through a blood or saliva test and can indicate whether a person carries a BRCA gene mutation. Testing is recommended for people with certain personal and/or family history pattern, including:

Myriad Genetics is a pioneer in hereditary cancer testing and offers tests for a variety of hereditary cancer syndromes, including BRACAnalysis(R), which detects mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. This test has become the standard of care in identification of individuals with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Nearly one million patients have benefited from Myriad's hereditary cancer testing.

About Myriad Genetics

Myriad Genetics is a leading molecular diagnostic company dedicated to making a difference in patients' lives through the discovery and commercialization of transformative tests to assess a person's risk of developing disease, guide treatment decisions and assess risk of disease progression and recurrence. Myriad's portfolio of molecular diagnostic tests are based on an understanding of the role genes play in human disease and were developed with a commitment to improving an individual's decision making process for monitoring and treating disease. Myriad is focused on strategic directives to introduce new products, including companion diagnostics, as well as expanding internationally. For more information on how Myriad is making a difference, please visit the Company's website: http://www.myriad.com

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Myriad Genetics Sponsors Cancer Awareness Initiatives in Support of National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week

October 3, 2012

April Flowers for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

Your intelligence like almost all other traits is a gift from your parents, at least in part. Scientists have known for a long time that intelligence is at least partially inherited through genetics. According to psychological scientist Christopher Chabris, however, it may be some time before researchers can identify the specific genetic roots of intelligence.

A new study from Union College shows that the genes long thought to be linked to intellectual prowess actually appear to have no bearing on ones IQ, complicating scientific endeavors to get to the root of the genetics of intelligence.

An international team of researchers including Harvard economist David Laibson used large data sets that included both intelligence testing and genetic data to examine a dozen genes. In almost every case, the team found that IQ could not be linked to the specific genes that were tested.

In all of our tests we only found one gene that appeared to be associated with intelligence, and it was a very small effect. This does not mean intelligence does not have a genetic component. It means its a lot harder to find the particular genes, or the particular genetic variants, that influence the differences in intelligence, said Chabris. The results of this new study were published online in the journal Psychological Science.

Previous studies of identical and fraternal twins informed and bolstered the notion that intelligence is a heritable trait. This new research validates that conclusion, yet the exact parameters of the genetics of intelligence remain a mystery. The team asserts that the older studies, which picked out specific genes, had flaws because of the technological limits of the time. Those limits prevented researchers from probing more than a few locations in the human genome to find genes that affected intelligence.

We want to emphasize that we are not saying the people who did earlier research in this area were foolish or wrong, Chabris said. They were using the best technology and information they had available. At the time, it was believed that individual genes would have a much larger effect they were expecting to find genes that might each account for several IQ points.

The team says that much more research is needed to determine the exact role that genes play in intelligence.

As is the case with other traits, like height, there are probably thousands of genes and their variants that are associated with intelligence, he said. And there may be other genetic effects beyond the single gene effects. There could be interactions among genes, or interactions between genes and the environment. Our results show that the way researchers have been looking for genes that may be related to intelligence the candidate gene method is fairly likely to result in false positives, so other methods should be used.

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Study Says Genetics Of Intelligence Remains A Riddle, For Now

Newswise Bethesda, MDOctober 1, 2012 Listed below are the selected highlights for the October 2012 issue of the Genetics Society of Americas journal, GENETICS. The October issue is available online at http://www.genetics.org/content/current. Please credit GENETICS, Vol. 192, October 2012, Copyright 2012.

Please feel free to forward to colleagues who may be interested in these articles.

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

Energy-dependent modulation of glucagon-like signaling in Drosophila via the AMP-activated protein kinase, pp. 457466 Jason T. Braco, Emily L. Gillespie, Gregory E. Alberto, Jay E. Brenman, and Erik C. Johnson How organisms maintain energetic homeostasis is unclear. These authors show that the actions of a known cellular sensor of energythe AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)cause release of a glucagon-like hormone in Drosophila. They further show that AMPK regulates secretion of adipokinetic hormone. This suggests new roles and targets for AMPK and suggests metabolic networks are organized similarly throughout Metazoa.

The relation of codon bias to tissue-specific gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana, pp. 641649 Salvatore Camiolo, Lorenzo Farina, and Andrea Porceddu This article reports systematic differences in usage of synonymous codons in Arabidopsis thaliana genes whose expression is tissue specific. The authors propose that codon bias evolves as an adaptive response to the different abundances of tRNAs in different tissues. Integrity and function of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae spindle pole body depends on connections between the membrane proteins Ndc1, Rtn1, and Yop1, pp. 441455 Amanda K. Casey, T. Renee Dawson, Jingjing Chen, Jennifer M. Friederichs, Sue L. Jaspersen, and Susan R. Wente Budding yeast face an unusual challenge during cell division: they must segregate their chromosomes while the nuclear envelope remains intact. Consequently, mitosis begins with insertion of the duplicated spindle pole body (a.k.a. centrosome) into the nuclear envelope, a process that parallels the generation of new nuclear pore complexes. These authors report data that suggest new mechanisms for linking nuclear division and transport.

Cellular memory of acquired stress resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, pp. 495505 Qiaoning Guan, Suraiya Haroon, Diego Gonzlez Bravo, Jessica L. Will, and Audrey P. Gasch Cells can retain memory of prior experiences that influence future behaviors. Here, the authors show that budding yeast retains a multifaceted memory of prior stress treatment. Cells pretreated with salt retain peroxide tolerance for several generations after removal of the initial stressor. This is due to long-lived catalase, produced during salt treatment and distributed to daughter cells. These cells also display transcriptional memory dependent on the nuclear pore subunit Nup42 that functions to promote reacquisition of stress tolerance in future stress cycles.

Genomic variation in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster, pp. 533598 Charles H. Langley, Kristian Stevens, Charis Cardeno, Yuh Chwen G. Lee, Daniel R. Schrider, John E. Pool, Sasha A. Langley, Charlyn Suarez, Russell B. Corbett-Detig, Bryan Kolaczkowski, Shu Fang, Phillip M. Nista, Alisha K. Holloway, Andrew D. Kern, Colin N. Dewey, Yun S. Song, Matthew W. Hahn, and David J. Begun This article greatly extends studies of population genetic variation in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster, which have played an important role in the development of evolutionary theory. The authors describe genome sequences of 43 individuals taken from two natural populations of D. melanogaster. The genetic polymorphism, divergence, and copy-number variation revealed in these data are presented at several scales, providing unprecedented insight into forces shaping genome polymorphism and divergence.

Estimating allele age and selection coefficient from time-serial data, pp. 599607 Anna-Sapfo Malaspinas, Orestis Malaspinas, Steven N. Evans, and Montgomery Slatkin The relative importance of the four fundamental processes driving evolutiongenetic drift, natural selection, migration, and mutationremains undetermined. These authors propose a new approach to estimate the selection coefficient and the allele age of time serial data. They apply their methodology to ancient sequences of a horse coat color gene and demonstrate that the causative allele existed as a rare segregating variant prior to domestication. This illuminates the debate on the relative importance of new vs. standing variation in adaptation and domestication. DNA replication origin function is promoted by H3K4 di-methylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, pp. 371384 Lindsay F. Rizzardi, Elizabeth S. Dorn, Brian D. Strahl, and Jeanette Gowen Cook What defines a DNA replication origin? It is becoming increasingly apparent that post-translational modifications of nucleosomes near replication origins help mark them and control their activity. The genetic analysis presented in this article implicates di-methylated histone H3 lysine 4 (stimulated by histone H2B monoubiquitination) as part of the definition of active replication origins. Since these histone modifications are highly conserved, these findings are relevant to genome organization in other eukaryotes.

Comparative oncogenomics implicates the Neurofibromin 1 gene (NF1) as a breast cancer driver, pp. 385396 Marsha D. Wallace, Adam D. Pfefferle, Lishuang Shen, Adrian J. McNairn, Ethan G. Cerami, Barbara L. Fallon, Vera D. Rinaldi, Teresa L. Southard, Charles M. Perou, and John C. Schimenti This study of a mouse model of genomic instability indicates that NF1 (Neurofibromin 1) deficiency can drive breast cancer. ~ 63,000 people in the United States annually will develop breast cancer with an NF1 deficiency. Together with evidence that NF1 depletion confers resistance of human breast cancer cells to tamoxifen, these findings suggest therapeutic strategies for patients with NF1-deleted tumors.

ABOUT GENETICS: Since 1916, GENETICS (http://www.genetics.org/) has covered high quality, original research on a range of topics bearing on inheritance, including population and evolutionary genetics, complex traits, developmental and behavioral genetics, cellular genetics, gene expression, genome integrity and transmission, and genome and systems biology. GENETICS, a peer-reviewed, peer-edited journal of the Genetics Society of America is one of the world's most cited journals in genetics and heredity.

Originally posted here:
GENETICS Journal Highlights for October 2012

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Seattle Genetics, Inc. (SGEN) and Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502), today announced the completion of patient enrollment in a phase III clinical trial of ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) for post-transplant Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. The phase III trial, also known as the AETHERA trial, is evaluating ADCETRIS versus placebo for the treatment of patients at high risk of residual Hodgkin lymphoma following autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). ADCETRIS is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) directed to CD30, a defining marker of classical HL.

We are pleased to complete the enrollment of this important phase III trial, evaluating the use of ADCETRIS for Hodgkin lymphoma patients who are at high risk of residual disease following an ASCT, said Thomas C. Reynolds, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Seattle Genetics. The AETHERA trial is designed to provide the medical community with valuable insight into the potential for ADCETRIS to consolidate responses in Hodgkin lymphoma patients following a transplant, and will be the first data on the use of ADCETRIS in a maintenance-type setting. We anticipate data from this trial will be available in late 2013 or early 2014.

Completing enrollment of the AETHERA trial in the post-transplant Hodgkin lymphoma patient population at high risk for residual disease is a significant milestone for our ADCETRIS clinical development program, said Karen Ferrante, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Millennium. We look forward to continuing to work with our partner Seattle Genetics to determine the potential benefit of this targeted treatment in other CD30-expressing tumors.

The AETHERA trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study, comparing progression-free survival in 329 post-ASCT patients receiving ADCETRIS to those receiving placebo. Patients must be at high risk for residual HL, defined as those with a history of refractory HL, those who relapse or progress within one year from receiving front-line chemotherapy and/or those who have disease outside of the lymph nodes at the time of pre-ASCT relapse. Secondary endpoints of the trial include overall survival, safety and tolerability. Patients receive ADCETRIS every three weeks for up to approximately one year. This international multi-center trial is being conducted in the United States, Europe and Russia.

About ADCETRIS

ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) is an ADC comprising an anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody attached by a protease-cleavable linker to a microtubule disrupting agent, monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), utilizing Seattle Genetics proprietary technology. The ADC employs a linker system that is designed to be stable in the bloodstream but to release MMAE upon internalization into CD30-expressing tumor cells.

ADCETRIS received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for two indications: (1) the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma after failure of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens in patients who are not ASCT candidates, and (2) the treatment of patients with systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma (sALCL) after failure of at least one prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimen. The indications for ADCETRIS are based on response rate. There are no data available demonstrating improvement in patient-reported outcomes or survival with ADCETRIS.

ADCETRIS is not approved for use outside the United States. The marketing authorization application for ADCETRIS in relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and sALCL, filed by Takeda Global Research & Development Centre (Europe), was accepted for review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in June 2011. In July 2012, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the EMA issued a positive opinion for the conditional approval of ADCETRIS, supporting an approval decision in the European Union.

Seattle Genetics and Millennium are jointly developing ADCETRIS. Under the terms of the collaboration agreement, Seattle Genetics has U.S. and Canadian commercialization rights and the Takeda Group has rights to commercialize ADCETRIS in the rest of the world. Seattle Genetics and the Takeda Group are funding joint development costs for ADCETRIS on a 50:50 basis, except in Japan where the Takeda Group will be solely responsible for development costs.

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Seattle Genetics and Millennium Complete Enrollment in Phase III AETHERA Trial of ADCETRIS® for Post-Transplant ...

STOCKHOLM, September 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

As our knowledge of genetics and genomics steadily expands and the potential applications of this understanding multiply, it becomes more and more urgent to address the societal implications of these developments. At a unique gathering in Stockholm on 9 December 2012, Nobel Laureates, prominent scientists, key policy makers and opinion leaders will review the current and future prospects for areas such as personalised medicine, genetically modified organisms and human evolution. With the theme of"The Genetic Revolution and its Impact on Society", this free public conference calledNobel Week Dialogue, will be devoted to reviewing the past 50 years of progress in genetics and genomics and looking towards current and future trends.

Key Topics and Participants

What have the last 50 years of progress in genetics taught us about what to expect in the future?

Can healthcare systems adapt to take advantage of the potential of personalized medicine?

How well do we understand how to manipulate gene expression and what are the consequences of this understanding?

These are some of the questions which will be discussed in a series of thought-provoking sessions and working groups. Participating Nobel Laureates include Bruce Beutler (2011), Steven Chu (1997), Joseph Goldstein (1985), Craig Mello (2006), Daniel McFadden (2000), Christiane Nsslein-Volhard (1995) and James Watson (1962). The 2012 Nobel Laureates will also be invited to attend.

Bruce Beutler, 2011 Nobel Laureate in Medicine says, "The information required to make a complex organism, such as a living person, resides within a few picograms of DNA in the nucleus of every cell. And much of what befalls us as individuals, for better or worse, is at least strongly influenced, if not foretold outright, by this subtle essence. A bit over 50 years ago, we began to understand how the information carried in DNA might be interpreted. Our understanding has grown quite sophisticated, and particularly in recent years, our ability to access DNA sequence has grown enormously. It is a good moment to count our gains, to explain them as best we can, and to consider what new barriers must be overcome."

Helga Nowotny, President of the European Research Council says, "The question before us is how to share the spectacular developments in the life sciences with wider society. Sharing is more than communicating. It means creating common ground that, even if contested, can also reassure and create trust. One often neglected instrument to achieve common ground is the law. It functions to stabilize relations between humans and their mutual expectations, although the objects to be mediated are biological entities or assemblages.I am glad to see that the upcoming event will provide an opportunity to discuss the social and legal issues around genetics."

Some of the experts include Mary-Claire King, President of the American Society of Human Genetics, Eric Lander, founder of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, John Dupr, Director of the ESRC Centre for Genomics in Society and Janet Woodcock, Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the Food and Drug Administration. For a complete list of participants, see: http://www.nobelweekdialogue.org/participants/

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Nobel Laureates and Experts Gather to Discuss Genetics and Society

It was a summer trip Hobe Sounds Grant Casto wont likely soon forget.

Casto, 17, traveled to Nuremberg, Germany, in late June to present a research paper in the study of genetics. He participated in the European Human Genetics Conference, attending with his grandfather, Richard J. Crout, an associate dean of research and a professor of dentistry and medicine at West Virginia University schools of dentistry and medicine

Going to a different country and seeing all these people from different countries come together to share their work that they found on genetics, I learned a lot about different diseases and all these new genetic disorders theyre finding, said Casto. He meet students and instructors from several nations at the event.

During the conference, Casto presented a research paper on the effects of genetics on dental health, such as cavities. Casto, whose parents work in dental care, said growing up in a family of medical professionals helped to spark his interest in science and medicine.

Ive liked science ever since I was young, he said. My long-term goal is to be an endodontist like my dad.

This fall, Casto has shifted his concentration back to his studies as a junior at the Clark Advanced Learning Center, a public charter high school on Southeast Salerno Road in Stuart where he is a junior. He currently maintains 3.8 grade-point while taking an academic curriculum that concentrates on science and college-level courses at Indian River State College. Casto said he hopes to attend West Virginia University and enroll in dental school while also pursuing a Ph.D in genetics.

Besides his studies, he has performed in years past with a local youth symphony, playing various instruments. He also volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County. Casto said that the volunteer work is part of program through his school in which students help to organize events for children at the club, including holiday activities.

(I enjoy) seeing the kids happy, he said of his volunteer experiences.

What are your hobbies?

Music. I like pets. I like to take care of them. I have a parakeet, a blue-tounged skink, a leopard geck.

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Love of science lifts Hobe Sound teen to genetics conference in Germany