- GenOmics

Mike Spear

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I am the Communications Director for Genome Alberta and we manage this application. In my past life I was a journalist and manager with the CBC. You can find my genome posted at www.genomealberta.ca

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Researchers develop method of directing stem cells to increase bone formation and bone strength
<h4>Successful testing in mice paves the way toward human trials for patients with osteoporosis</h4>Media Release, February 6, 2012 -  A research team led by UC Davis Health System scientists has developed a novel technique to enhance bone growth by using a molecule which, when injected into the bloodstream, directs the body's stem cells to travel to the surface of bones. Once these cells are guided to the bone surface by this molecule, the stem cells differentiate into bone-forming cells and synthesize proteins to enhance bone growth. The study, which was published online today in Nature Medicine, used a mouse model of osteoporosis to demonstrate a unique treatment approach that increases bone density and prevents bone loss associated with aging and estrogen deficiency. "There are many stem cells, even in elderly people, but they do not readily migrate to bone," said Wei Yao, the principal investigator and lead author of the study. "Finding a molecule that attaches to stem cells and guides them to the targets we need is a real breakthrough." Researchers are exploring stem cells as possible treatments for a wide variety of conditions and injuries, ranging from peripheral artery disease and macular degeneration to blood disorders, skin wounds and diseased organs. Directing stem cells to travel and adhere to the surface of bone for bone formation has been among the elusive goals in regenerative medicine. The researchers made use of a unique hybrid molecule, LLP2A-alendronate, developed by a research team led by Kit Lam, professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine. The researchers' hybrid molecule consists of two parts: the LLP2A part that attaches to mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow, and a second part that consists of the bone-homing drug alendronate. After the hybrid molecule was injected into the bloodstream, it picked up mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow and directed those cells to the surfaces of bone, where the stem cells carried out their natural bone-formation and repair functions. "Our study confirms that stem-cell-binding molecules can be exploited to direct stem cells to therapeutic sites inside an animal," said Lam, who also is an author of the article. "It represents a very important step in making this type of stem cell therapy a reality." Twelve weeks after the hybrid molecule was injected into mice, bone mass in the femur (thigh bone) and vertebrae (in the spine) increased and bone strength improved compared to control mice who did not receive the hybrid molecule. Treated mice that were normally of an age when bone loss would occur also had improved bone formation, as did those that were models for menopause. Alendronate, also known by the brand name Fosamax, is commonly taken by women with osteoporosis to reduce the risk of fracture. The research team incorporated alendronate into the hybrid molecules because once in the bloodstream, it goes directly to the bone surface, where it slows the rate of bone breakdown. According to Nancy Lane, a co-investigator on the study and director of the UC Davis Musculoskeletal Diseases of Aging Research Group, the dose of alendronate in the hybrid compound was low and unlikely to have inhibited the compound's therapeutic effect. "For the first time, we may have potentially found a way to direct a person's own stem cells to the bone surface where they can regenerate bone," said Lane, who is an Endowed Professor of Medicine and Rheumatology and an expert on osteoporosis. "This technique could become a revolutionary new therapy for osteoporosis as well as for other conditions that require new bone formation." Osteoporosis is a major public health problem for 44 million Americans. One in two women will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis in their lifetime. Although effective medications are available to help prevent fracture risk, including alendronate, their use is limited by potential harmful effects of long-term use. The major causes for osteoporosis in women include estrogen deficiency, aging and steroid excess from treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Generally, the osteoporosis generated by these metabolic conditions results from change in the bone remodeling cycle that weakens the bone's architecture and increases fracture risk. Mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow induce new bone remodeling, which thicken and strengthen bone. The authors noted that the potential use of this stem cell therapy is not limited to treating osteoporosis. They said it may prove invaluable for other disorders and conditions that could benefit from enhanced bone rebuilding, such as bone fractures, bone infections or cancer treatments. "These results are very promising for translating into human therapy," said Jan Nolta, professor of internal medicine, an author of the study and director of the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures. "We have shown this potential therapy is effective in rodents, and our goal now is to move it into clinical trials." Funding for the study came from the Endowment on Healthy Aging and the National Institutes of Health. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has given the team a planning grant to develop a proposal for human clinical trials. "This research was a collaboration of stem cell biologists, biochemists, translational scientists, a bone biologist and clinicians," said Lane. "It was a truly fruitful team effort with remarkable results." The Nature Medicine article is titled "Directing mesenchymal stem cells to bone to augment bone formation and increase bone mass." Min Guan, who is affiliated with the UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine, was co-lead author of the paper. Other UC Davis authors were Ruiwu Liu, Junjing Jia, Liping Meng, Ping Zhou and Mohammad Shahnazari, from the departments of Internal Medicine, and Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, as well as the UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures. Authors Brian Panganiban and Robert O. Ritchie are with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UC Berkeley. UC Davis is playing a leading role in regenerative medicine, with nearly 150 scientists working on a variety of stem cell-related research projects at campus locations in both Davis and Sacramento. The UC Davis Institute for Regenerative Cures, a facility supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), opened in 2010 on the Sacramento campus. This $62 million facility is the university's hub for stem cell science. It includes Northern California's largest academic Good Manufacturing Practice laboratory, with state-of-the-art equipment and manufacturing rooms for cellular and gene therapies. UC Davis also has a Translational Human Embryonic Stem Cell Shared Research Facility in Davis and a collaborative partnership with the Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California. All of the programs and facilities complement the university's Clinical and Translational Science Center, and focus on turning stem cells into cures. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/stemcellresearch">www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/stemcellresearch</a>. Contact: Charles Casey <a href="mailto:charles.casey@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu">charles.casey@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu</a>  916-734-9048  University of California - Davis Health System
Written By Mike Spear
Genome British Columbia: Beating Childhood Brain Cancer-A Success Story
Media Release, Vancouver, B.C. Jan. 30, 2012 In March of 1993, Penny Flynn and Jeff Date received devastating news: their nine-month-old daughter Taylor had been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumour. Cancer is the leading cause of non-accidental deaths in children, and medulloblastoma is the most common form of childhood cancer. The few children who do survive the aggressive and debilitating treatments must then often cope with a host of side-effects, such as learning challenges and physical disabilities. In essence, saving the child's life is an important initial victory, but also the start of life-long challenges for the child, their family and the health care system. A new national, multi-disciplinary team made up of experts in BC and Ontario is leading the way to change and improve how this cancer is treated. With more than $9.8 million in funding from Genome BC and other partners, they aim to develop laboratory tests to determine which type of brain cancer the child suffers from in order to more accurately classify the tumours for treatment. This would significantly increase the survival rate, and improve the quality of life of children with brain cancer. Studies indicate that children with a good prognosis are often over-treated and could be spared complications by reducing the amount of treatment they receive. At the same time, children with a poor prognosis are often subjected to painful treatments which may in fact, be futile. The tricky part is to identify which children are being over-treated and could be spared some of the side effects of treatment. Fortunately, baby Taylor was one of the lucky ones - her treatment was successful. As a way of giving back, she is participating in this study in the hopes that other children and families might be spared her ordeal. "By participating in this research project, I feel that I am making a difference," says Taylor, now 19. "It may not be a big difference, but every little bit counts. The amount of stress and pain that my parents had to endure while looking after me and praying for my health was unbearable," she says. "I hope that one day, with help from Genome BC and the amazing doctors and nurses at Sick Kids, cancer will be cured." As they unravel the genetic basis of brain cancer, the research team is also working with families like Taylor's to determine what additional potential risks they would be willing to assume in reducing therapy to improve quality of life. It is anticipated that the results of this research will lead to new ways to treat childhood brain cancers more effectively, to enhance the quality of life of children struck by this devastating disease, and help ease the huge economic toll of an estimated $100 million that childhood cancers take annually on the health care system. "One of the reasons I'm excited about this project is that it's one of the times when a remarkable team of experts is being brought together from across the country, including such leading scientists as Dr. Carlo Marra, who is conducting economic analyses," says <a href="http://www.sickkids.ca/Research/AbouttheInstitute/Profiles/malkin-profile.html">Dr. David Malkin</a>, project co-lead and a pediatric oncologist at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto. "In my practice, I see kids who receive very toxic therapies, which can be effective at destroying the cancer. However, the economic and psycho-social costs to the child are extraordinary." He adds that this project is an excellent prototype, on which other studies of childhood cancer could be modeled. "We have to start somewhere in finding new genetic targets for the development of new, less toxic and more precise drugs, and this project has the potential to hit home runs for children with brain tumors in future years. We will also learn important lessons that can be applied to other types of cancer." <a href="http://www.sickkids.ca/aboutsickkids/directory/people/t/michael-d-taylor.html">Dr. Michael Taylor</a>, project co-leader and a pediatric neurosurgeon at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, agrees and also stresses the significance of the funding. "The funding for this program is generous enough to allow us to classify the disease using genomic approaches, then identify and develop lab tests, so clinicians in Canada and around the world can categorize the disease and we can start treating some kids less and the rest smarter," says Dr. Taylor. "We are very pleased that the DNA sequencing technologies have evolved to the point they can be deployed as part of this important clinical work," says Dr. Marco Marra, project co-leader and Director of Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre. Genome BC is funding "<a href="http://www.genomebc.ca/portfolio/projects/health-projects/stratifying-and-targeting-pediatric-medulloblastoma-through-geno1/">Stratifying and Targeting Pediatric Medulloblastoma through Genomics</a>" as part of Genome Canada's 2010 Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition. "Knowing that we could make a difference in the life of a child and perhaps help a family suffer less makes me very proud that we are supporting this work," says Dr. Alan Winter, President and CEO of Genome BC. "I believe that this research holds the key to a much larger approach to childhood cancer treatment." <h5>About Genome British Columbia:</h5>Genome British Columbia is a catalyst for the life sciences cluster on Canada's West Coast, and manages a cumulative portfolio of over $550M in research projects and science and technology platforms. Working with governments, academia and industry across sectors such as forestry, fisheries, agriculture, environment, bioenergy, mining and human health, the goal of the organization is to generate social and economic benefits for British Columbia and Canada. <a href="http://genomebc.ca">www.genomebc.ca</a> Contact: Jennifer Boon Communications Specialist, Genome BC Cell: 778-327-8374 Email: jboon@genomebc.ca
Written By Mike Spear
Smartphone Technology Meets Personalized Medicine in Everist Genomics' CardioDefender Diagnostic System
<h4>Wearables Technology Conference to Feature The Smartphone That Never Misses A Heartbeat</h4>Media Release, Ann Arbor, Mich., Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Everist Genomics announced today that Executive Vice Chairman Alex Charlton will speak about its breakthrough CardioDefender Device at the Wearable Technologies Conference, January 30, 2012, in Munich Smartphone healthcare applications are graduating from novelty items to mainstream medicine, helping physicians to save lives and reduce the cost of care.  Everist Genomics, a rapidly growing personalized medicine company, is successfully integrating smartphone and tablet computer technology with innovative, medically important diagnostics and prognostics in the areas of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease (e.g. diabetes) and cancer.  Everist Genomics' CardioDefender is the world's first FDA-approved and CE mark-registered smartphone ECG system to provide physicians and patients with hospital-quality heart rhythm monitoring outside of the hospital setting.  CardioDefender incorporates several unique capabilities enabling physicians to diagnose and treat potentially life-threatening heart arrhythmias that might otherwise be missed.  CardioDefender is the first system to deliver mobile, real-time, beat-by-beat, and quantitative heart monitoring and automated reporting by combining patented analytical smartphone software with a Wi-Fi device and electrodes. "The essence of personalized medicine is to diagnose a problem before there are noticeable symptoms. Physicians who diagnose and treat heart arrhythmias have been hampered for many years by legacy technology, such as hospital based ECG systems which confine patients to the high-cost hospital setting and Holter monitors which do not provide the comprehensive monitoring needed to detect potentially life threatening arrhythmias," Charlton said. "For the first time, CardioDefender enables smartphone-based hospital-quality ECG monitoring of patients 24 hours per day, seven days per week." The company's recently announced commercialization plans of CardioDefender coincide with reports from various industry sources projecting significant growth in remote patient monitoring.  According to analyst firm Berg Insight, for example, around 2.2 million patients worldwide were using home monitoring service based on equipment with integrated connectivity at the end of 2011—cardiac arrhythmia was cited as one of the most common conditions monitored by these technologies.(1) Following FDA approval and European CE Mark registration last year, CardioDefender has already been deployed at more than 150 medical facilities in the United States for post-approval commercial evaluation.  Between January and October of 2011, the number of patient days of heart rhythm monitoring performed with CardioDefender grew from fewer than 5,000 to more than 18,000 patient days per month. Since the system was introduced, Everist Genomics has received inquiries about the product from more than 32 countries, including China, India and the U.S. "We are very pleased with the success of the commercial evaluation of CardioDefender and the overwhelming level of interest we have received regarding the availability of the diagnostic system," Charlton said. "The invitation to speak at the highly-esteemed Wearable Technologies Conference further underscores the value of this innovative mobile system in advancing care for arrhythmia patients." Everist Genomics launched its first product last year with the introduction of OncoDefender-CRC, a prognostic test for predicting the risk of disease recurrence for early stage colorectal cancer patients. The company expanded its pipeline with the creation of a new franchise of diagnostic and prognostic tests aimed at melding personalized medicine with mobile health platforms.   In addition to the CardioDefender diagnostic system, Everist Genomics recently announced development of AngioDefender, the world's first tablet computer device capable of accurately diagnosing atherosclerosis in asymptomatic patients.  The company is developing mobile applications for the AngioDefender system to extend physician access to vital patient information and provide clinical support for treatment planning. The company plans to launch the AngioDefender system in February 2012. <h5>About Everist Genomics</h5>Everist Genomics is a prognostics company focused on developing gene-based molecular assays for the prediction of cancer recurrence and proprietary point-of-care equipment for the evaluation and management of cardiovascular disease. Using its patented Evolver™ technology platform, Everist Genomics is successfully developing and commercializing entirely new classes of patent-protected molecular biomarkers and sensor technologies which employ proprietary equipment, devices and software to help physicians make individualized treatment and drug prescribing decisions.  The privately owned company is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.everistgenomics.com/">www.everistgenomics.com</a>. <h5>About The Wearable Technologies Conference</h5>On January 30, 2012, for the fifth time in a row, the Wearable Technologies Conference will take place in line with ISPO in Munich.  This exciting conference, sponsored by Philips, offers industry leaders from notable companies such as Roche and Adidas, as well as emerging companies, a unique platform to present their latest innovations from the field of healthcare.   This year's conference will feature two areas of interest, namely the newest developments in the areas of "Sports & Consumers" and "Health & Fitness."  In addition to novel technologies in development, the 2012 WTconference will present products ready for market. These days, technologies worn on or near the body are experiencing a real boom. The first WT products, those interesting to a wider market, are recording resounding successes.  In addition, the many innovative technologies that have just reached the market stage have become all the more important to those manufacturers who can use the new technologies in a variety of their products. More information on the conference can be found at <a href="http://www.wearable-technologies.com/wt-conference">www.wearable-technologies.com/wt-conference.</a>
Written By Mike Spear
2012 Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition
<h4>Request for Applications (RFA) Genomics and Personalized Health A Genome Canada – CIHR Partnership</h4><a href="http://genomecanada.ca">Genome Canada</a>, in partnership with the <a href="http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html">Canadian Institutes of Health Research</a> (CIHR), is seeking proposals for large-scale research projects which focus on the application of genomics1 in the area of Personalized Health. Through this partnership Genome Canada will implement an important element of its Strategic Plan (2012-2017) and CIHR will launch its Personalized Medicine Signature Initiative. This strategic partnership will build on the complementary mandates of Genome Canada and CIHR and provide an opportunity to maximize the effectiveness of the research communities, infrastructure and resources supported by both organizations. In the context of this competition Personalized Health can be seen as a more evidence based approach to decision making both with regards to health maintenance and disease interventions. There is a spectrum of activities that span what is referred to as the molecular medicine continuum from health maintenance and disease prevention, through early detection, to treatment of disease and disease prognosis. This approach relies upon an increasing knowledge of the underlying risk factors, causes, and mechanisms of disease pathogenesis as well as an understanding of the influence of environment, behaviour and lifestyle on the onset and outcomes of the disease state.Under this Request for Applications (RFA), genomic and GE3LS activities can be targeted to any part of the continuum but must demonstrate their potential to contribute to a more evidence-based approach to health and their potential to improve not only the cost-effectiveness of the health-care system, but also to ensure that discoveries are translated into patient and population benefits. In order to maximize the effectiveness of this RFA in advancing genomics research and its application in Canada, sharing of resources and expertise through inter-regional or international collaboration is encouraged at all levels. For the details, forms, and important dates you can visit the Genome Canada website at <a href="http://www.genomecanada.ca/en/portfolio/research/2012-competition.aspx">http://www.genomecanada.ca/en/portfolio/research/2012-competition.aspx </a> 
Written By Mike Spear
Genomic innovation will better target treatment in the NHS
Media Release,  January 25, 2012 , Issued on behalf of The Human Genomics Strategy Group   Thousands of patients will benefit from tests to match treatment to their DNA  NHS patients should be able to benefit from genomic technology which can improve the health service’s understanding of the nature of disease and mean that treatment can be tailored to patients’ individual genetic make up – providing the right treatment to the right patient.   In its report to Government on genomic technology published today, the Human Genomics Strategy Group, chaired by Professor Sir John Bell, highlights the UK’s achievements in genetics research to date and proposes a strategic vision to realise the future benefit of genomics.   Considerable government investment over the past decade – more than £50 million – has meant that genetic tests for more than 1,000 diseases, including sickle cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis and some forms of cancer, are now available via the NHS. This has resulted in large numbers of patients and their families benefiting from a precise diagnosis. And now genomic technology enables accurate molecular tests, often before the disease becomes more advanced, so the patients can receive the right treatment sooner.   The independent cross-government advisory group was set up in response to the 2009 House of Lords report on genomic medicine. It draws on expertise from across Government and research institutes and makes six recommendations to Government:   The recommendations are:to develop a cross-cutting strategic document, to set out the direction on genomic technology adoption in the NHS <ul><li> to develop a national central genomic data storage facility</li><li>that the NHS Commissioning Board should lead on developing genomic technology adoption</li><li>to work to develop a service delivery model for genomic technologies</li><li>that the NHS should continue to develop genomics education and training</li><li>to raise public awareness of genomic technology and its benefits. </li></ul>  Chair of the Human Genomics Strategy Group, Professor Sir John Bell said: “Genomics expands our knowledge beyond single gene analysis to the whole genome, increasing our ability to gauge an individual’s risk of disease and support better diagnosis and treatment. The UK is a leader in genomic research.  “The Human Genomics Strategy Group wants to see this position maintained – and built upon.  This will take a concerted effort from all the key players in research, academia, industry and the NHS.  “Our recommendations to the Government lay out key steps that can be taken now and in the near future to realise this goal.  “Adopting the recommendations in our report would lead to further revolutionary developments in our ability to diagnose, treat and prevent disease, and I urge the Government to consider these.”   The Government will respond to the six recommendations in due course, but the Health Secretary has today announced that the NHS will take forward plans to widen out access to molecular tests to more cancer patients, which uses genomic technology as a tool to provide targeted treatment for the individual patient.   In the past, the blanket prescription of drugs has meant cancer patients received a range of drugs, which, it was hoped, would benefit them. But in fact only some patients’ cancers would respond.  But now testing of tumours and patients will be able to tell clinicians in advance whether a patient is likely to respond to particular drug therapies.   Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said:   “The promise of genomic technology, with its capacity to improve our understanding of the nature of disease and how our genes can inform our response to therapy, is immense but as yet developmental. The ability to use molecular testing of cancers to match individuals to the most appropriate treatment is revolutionary.  “The new developments can help patients to get the best treatments to improve their chances of survival and their quality of life. I am very pleased to announce that we are going to develop a new commissioning and funding structure for molecular tests for cancer.  This means there will be a formal structure – led by the NHS Commissioning Board – which will mean that more cancer patients will get access to these tests.  "We want to make sure that all patients can benefit from these tests – as soon as the tests are recommended by NICE. We have therefore been working to establish a new system to ensure speedy introduction of high quality tests. This is the way forward for the future.”   Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said:   “Genomics research is a real strength in the UK and has the potential to dramatically improve our understanding of disease. This excellent report demonstrates the major impacts of advances in this promising area of science. It provides a pathway to build on and exploit the UK’s expertise for the benefit of patients and society.”   Sir Mark Walport, director of the Wellcome Trust, which spends more than £100 million a year on genomic research, endorsed the recommendations of the report.    “Our advancing ability to read and understand the genetic code is already beginning to spark transformative improvements in healthcare, by refining diagnosis and revealing the processes of disease. The Government must act now to deliver Sir John Bell’s excellent recommendations, so that the NHS builds the capabilities and skills it needs if patients are to benefit.  “We particularly support the proposal to link genomic data to patients’ anonymised medical records through a secure national centre, which would create an unparalleled resource for research and diagnosis without compromising confidentiality or privacy. It is also important to develop medical informatics services that can make sense of complex genomic data, and to update professional training to meet the challenges of the genomic age.  “We are committed to working with the Government to address these challenges, building on the world-class genomics and bioinformatics expertise available in the UK at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the European Bioinformatics Institute.”   Notes to editors  For further information contact the Human Genomics Strategy Group press office via the Department of Health press office on 020 7210 5221.   <a href="http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_132369">Read Building on our inheritance: Genomic technology in healthcare.</a>   <h5>The HGSG was set up in 2010 with a remit to:</h5>• monitor advances in genetic and genomics research, both basic and translational, to evaluate their benefit to healthcare services in the NHS and;  • develop, in partnership with other stakeholders, a vision for genomics in the NHS.
Written By Mike Spear
Roche offers to acquire all outstanding shares of Illumina, Inc. to further strengthen its leading role in diagnostics
Media Release, Basel, 25 January 2012 <ul><li>Together with Illumina, Roche will strengthen its position in the Life Science and Diagnostics market, with complementary technologies in Genetics/Genomics research and routine diagnostics.</li><li>Roche and Illumina’s combined capabilities and global reach will help accelerate the transition of sequencing into clinical and routine diagnostics.</li><li>Roche intends to combine its existing Applied Science business with Illumina and move the business area’s headquarters to San Diego, California, USA. Roche also plans to maintain operations in Penzberg, Germany, the current headquarters of Roche Applied Science.</li><li>Roche’s proposal of $44.50 per share in cash offers a substantial premium for Illumina shareholders. </li></ul>  Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that it is proposing to acquire all outstanding shares of Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN) for $44.50 per share in cash, or an aggregate of approximately $5.7 billion on a fully diluted basis. This offer represents a 64% premium over Illumina’s stock price on December 21, 2011 – the day before market rumors about a potential transaction between Roche and Illumina drove Illumina’s stock price significantly higher – a 61% premium over the one-month historical average and a 43% premium over the three-month historical average of Illumina’s share price, both as of December 21. It also represents a 30.1x multiple of Illumina’s projected forward earnings based upon analysts’ current consensus estimates for 2012. Together, the capabilities of Roche’s Diagnostics Division and Illumina, a leading provider of integrated systems for DNA sequencing, will strengthen Roche’s position in Sequencing and Microarrays to address the growing demand for genetic/genomic solutions. In addition, Roche’s extensive diagnostics experience and global presence will help accelerate the transition of DNA sequencing into clinical and routine diagnostics. DNA sequencing is expected to help to discover complex biomarkers that could become companion diagnostics and be paired with specific treatments in the long-term.   Severin Schwan, CEO of Roche Group, said, “Roche’s all-cash offer of $44.50 per share represents full and fair value for Illumina and we expect that Illumina’s shareholders will welcome the opportunity to sell their shares at a significant premium to current market prices. It is our strong preference to enter into a negotiated transaction with Illumina, and we remain willing to engage in a constructive dialogue with Illumina to jointly develop an optimal strategy for maximizing the value of our combined business.”   Roche has made multiple efforts to engage with Illumina in order to reach a negotiated transaction, but Illumina has been unwilling to participate in substantive discussions. Roche has therefore decided to promptly commence a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Illumina for $44.50 per share in cash. In addition, Roche will nominate a slate of highly qualified, independent candidates for election to Illumina’s Board of Directors and propose certain other matters for the consideration of Illumina’s shareholders at Illumina’s 2012 annual meeting, which, if adopted, would result in Roche-nominated directors comprising a majority of the Illumina board.   Daniel O’Day, COO, Roche Diagnostics Division, said, “The proposed acquisition will strengthen Roche’s current offering in the Life Science market by providing complementary solutions to our current portfolio. Our ability to offer a total solution to researchers will help enable the discovery of complex new biomarkers improving drug discovery and the selection of patients most likely to respond to a targeted treatment with high clinical relevance. In addition, by building on Illumina’s capabilities Roche will be able to use its scale, global distribution and diagnostic test development expertise to develop new diagnostic tests that serve patients and customers even more effectively.” Roche intends to combine its existing Roche Applied Science business with Illumina and move the business area’s headquarters to San Diego, California. Roche also plans to maintain operations in Penzberg, Germany, the current headquarters of Roche Applied Science.   Roche’s offer will be subject to customary conditions, including the tender of a majority of Illumina’s shares of common stock. The offer will be financed from available cash on Roche’s balance sheet and borrowings under its credit facilities and therefore will not require a financing condition.   Greenhill & Co., LLC and Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. are acting as financial advisors to Roche and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as legal counsel.   Below is the text of the letter Roche sent on January 25, 2012(CET) to Jay Flatley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Illumina, Inc.   Dear Jay:  While I appreciate the time you have taken to speak with me over the course of the last several weeks, the lack of any substantive progress in our efforts to negotiate a business combination between Illumina and Roche, and your January 18 letter confirming your board’s lack of interest in such a transaction, has led us to decide to publicly disclose our proposal to acquire all outstanding shares of Illumina at a price of $44.50 per share in cash. Accordingly, we will make this letter public simultaneously with my sending it to you.   Roche’s offer price of $44.50 per share in cash represents a substantial premium to Illumina’s unaffected market prices: a premium of 64% over Illumina’s closing stock price on December 21, 2011 – the day before market rumors about a potential transaction between Roche and Illumina drove Illumina’s stock price significantly higher – a 61% premium over the one month historical average and a 43% premium over the three month historical average of Illumina’s share price, both as of December 21. It also represents a 30.1x multiple of Illumina’s projected forward earnings based upon analysts’ current consensus estimates for 2012. This is a compelling offer and we are confident that your stockholders will find it extremely attractive. We hope that your board will now take the opportunity to negotiate a transaction that will allow your shareholders to realize this substantial value. We believe that our proposal presents a unique opportunity for Roche and Illumina and their respective stockholders and Roche believes that it is imperative to continue to pursue this matter. The price, with the large premium it represents, is a full and fair one. We have available cash on our balance sheet and borrowings under our credit facilities to complete the transaction and we therefore will not require a financing condition. As I have expressed to you previously, we are mindful that you and your management team have contributed greatly to Illumina’s success. Roche contemplates continued employment of Illumina’s management and employees following the consummation of a transaction and we are prepared to work with you to develop mutually satisfactory employment arrangements. We intend to continue the Illumina legacy within the Roche Diagnostics Division, and to maintain the Illumina brand. To that end, we intend to combine our existing Roche Applied Science business with Illumina and move the business area’s headquarters to San Diego, California. We believe this approach should be attractive to your management and employees.   Roche has attempted to engage Illumina’s management and Board of Directors in a discussion on the merits of a business combination. Unfortunately, Illumina has been unwilling to engage in any meaningful dialogue on this matter. Therefore, while Roche continues to prefer a negotiated transaction with Illumina, Roche intends to promptly commence a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Illumina for $44.50 per share in cash. Additionally, in view of your board’s response, we plan to nominate a slate of directors and make certain other proposals for the consideration of shareholders at Illumina's 2012 annual meeting which, if adopted, would result in Roche-nominated directors comprising a majority of your board.   We have engaged Greenhill & Co., LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. as financial advisors and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP as legal counsel to assist in completing this transaction. If you are willing to fully engage with us, we and our advisors are ready to meet with your representatives at any time to discuss this proposal and to answer any questions you have. We believe that time is of the essence and are prepared to move forward expeditiously by committing all necessary resources to complete a transaction promptly. If you are interested in discussing a possible negotiated transaction, please contact me as soon as possible.   Very truly yours,   Dr. Franz B. Humer Chairman, Roche Holding Ltd   Media call   There will be a telephone conference for the media on Wednesday, January 25 10:00 am CET. At that time the slide deck on today's announcement is available on <a href="http://www.roche.com/irp120125.pdf">http://www.roche.com/irp120125.pdf</a> (2.1 MB)   Dial-in: +41 (0) 91 610 56 00 (Europa) +44 (0) 203 059 58 62 (UK) +1 (1) 866 291 41 66 (USA - Toll-Free)   <h5>About Roche</h5>Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche’s personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2010, Roche had over 80’000 employees worldwide and invested over 9 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 47.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com.   All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. <h5>CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS</h5> THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY WORDS SUCH AS “BELIEVES”, “EXPECTS”, “ANTICIPATES”, “PROJECTS”, “INTENDS”, “SHOULD”, “SEEKS”, “ESTIMATES”, “FUTURE” OR SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS OR BY DISCUSSION OF, AMONG OTHER THINGS, STRATEGY, GOALS, PLANS OR INTENTIONS. VARIOUS FACTORS MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY IN THE FUTURE FROM THOSE REFLECTED IN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, AMONG OTHERS: (1) ECONOMIC AND CURRENCY CONDITIONS; (2) COMPETITIVE AND TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS; AND (3) RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES RELATING TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. <h5>ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT</h5><h5></h5> THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ILLUMINA COMMON STOCK. THE SOLICITATION AND OFFER TO BUY ILLUMINA COMMON STOCK WILL ONLY BE MADE PURSUANT TO AN OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE SINCE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER. THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS WILL BE FILED BY ROCHE WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC), AND INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS MAY OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF THESE MATERIALS (WHEN AVAILABLE) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY ROCHE WITH THE SEC AT THE WEBSITE MAINTAINED BY THE SEC AT WWW.SEC.GOV. THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED MATERIALS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED (WHEN AVAILABLE) FOR FREE BY CONTACTING THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE TENDER OFFER, MACKENZIE PARTNERS, AT (212) 929-5500 OR (800) 322-2885 (TOLL-FREE). ROCHE WILL BE FILING A PROXY STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14A AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH ITS SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FOR THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF ILLUMINA (THE “PROXY STATEMENT"). PROMPTLY AFTER FILING A DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT WITH THE SEC, ROCHE WILL MAIL THE PROXY STATEMENT AND A PROXY CARD TO EACH ILLUMINA STOCKHOLDER ENTITLED TO VOTE AT THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS MAY OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF THESE MATERIALS (WHEN AVAILABLE) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY ROCHE WITH THE SEC AT THE WEBSITE MAINTAINED BY THE SEC AT WWW.SEC.GOV. THE PROXY STATEMENT AND RELATED MATERIALS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED (WHEN AVAILABLE) FOR FREE BY CONTACTING THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE TENDER OFFER, MACKENZIE PARTNERS, AT (212) 929-5500 OR (800) 322-2885 (TOLL-FREE). ROCHE HOLDING LTD, CKH ACQUISITION CORPORATION AND THE INDIVIDUALS NOMINATED BY CKH ACQUISITION CORPORATION FOR ELECTION TO ILLUMINA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS (THE “ROCHE NOMINEES") MAY BE DEEMED TO BE PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FROM ILLUMINA STOCKHOLDERS FOR USE AT THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, OR AT ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF. THE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF ROCHE HOLDING LTD AND CKH ACQUISITION CORPORATION WHO MAY BE PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES HAVE NOT BEEN DETERMINED AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. NO ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION WILL BE PAID TO SUCH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS FOR SUCH SERVICES. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS CAN OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT INTERESTS OF THE ROCHE NOMINEES AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS BY READING THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.   
Written By Mike Spear
Government-Industry Initiative to Transform Medical Discoveries into New Drug Therapies and Health Products
Media Release. Edmonton, Alberta - Innovative new drug therapies and health products that improve lives and generate new economic opportunities could soon become a reality as a result of a collaborative initiative announced today. A federal investment of $500,000 through <a href="http://www.wd.gc.ca/eng/home.asp">Western Economic Diversification Canada</a> and an additional investment of $500,000 by <a href="http://www.pfizer.ca/en/home/?">Pfizer Canada</a> will enable the Alberta Pfizer Collaboration Fund, now a $2.5 million initiative, to identify and support promising health care innovations with market potential. "Our Government's investment will allow Alberta’s health researchers and innovators to work directly with industry to turn today’s discoveries into the medicines, therapies, and medical products of tomorrow," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women. "Initiatives such as this are vital to supporting the development of our advanced technology sectors while creating high value jobs and economic growth." The Alberta Pfizer Collaboration Fund will invest in commercially promising health and medical research conducted in Alberta’s academic and research institutions in order to bring concepts or ideas to market more quickly. The initiative also provides an important opportunity for innovators to benefit from the technical, business, and commercialization expertise offered through Pfizer Canada, while ensuring that intellectual property remains with Alberta’s researchers and institutions. "Alberta has a vibrant and growing medical research and life sciences community and Pfizer is proud to collaborate with federal and provincial orders of government to support and develop this outstanding expertise," said Ghislain Boudreau, Vice President, Public Affairs at Pfizer Canada. "Our investment today complements the original partnership and initial $500,000 investment in 2011 with Alberta Advanced Education and Technology and Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions." <a href="http://www.aihealthsolutions.ca/about.php"> Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions</a> will manage and administer both the fund and the call for project proposals.   "This is the first AIHS industry partnership opportunity and the timing is excellent. This partnership will help move the wealth of ideas, knowledge, and ingenuity we have in our provincial health research community into application and ultimately transform health and well-being for Albertans and people around the world," said Dr. Jacques Magnan, CEO of Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions. Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West, and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision making. For additional information, contact: Donna Kinley Manager, Communications Western Economic Diversification Canada (780) 495-6892 Lisa Ross Pfizer Canada 1-866-9PFIZER Karen Thomas Media Relations Specialist Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions  (403) 651-1112 
Written By Mike Spear
deCODE Genetics, in Collaboration with Academic Colleagues, Discovers Three Variants in the Sequence of the Human Genome that Affect the Risk of Thyroid Cancer
Media Release Reykjavik, ICELAND, 22 January 2012 Scientists at deCODE Genetics and academic collaborators from Iceland, the USA, The Netherlands and Spain today report the discovery of variants in the human genome that associate with levels of thyroid stimulating hormone and risk of thyroid cancer.  The paper ‘Discovery of common variants associated with low TSH levels and thyroid cancer risk‘ is published today in the online edition of Nature Genetics. Using data obtained  by applying both Illumina whole-genome sequencing technology and Illumina SNP chip technology, deCODE’s scientists performed a genome wide association study on levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in 27,758 Icelanders. 22 SNPs with genomewide significance were discovered, of which one, rs965513 had previously been shown to associate with thyroid cancer.  The remaining 21 SNPs were genotyped in 561 Icelandic thyroid cancer cases and 40,013 controls.  Variants suggestively associated with thyroid cancer were then genotyped in an additional 595 non-Icelandic cases and 2,603 controls. After combining the results, three separate variants on chromosomes 2q35, 8p12 and 14q13.3 were shown to associate with risk of thyroid cancer, conferring an added risk of 30 – 100%, compared to the general population.  These variants were also found to associate with low levels of TSH, a key regulator in the biology and endocrinology of the thyroid gland.   “This study underscores the important role that the genetics of diversity in normal physiologic function can play in understanding the risk of disease.  To date, the at-risk alleles of all the variants that confer risk of thyroid cancer associate with decreased serum levels of TSH, suggesting that the primary disorder in non-medullary thyroid cancer is an endocrine one, characterized by decreased concentration of TSH,” said Kari Stefansson, deCODE’s CEO and senior author of the study.   Thyroid Cancer is a malignant thyroid neoplasm, which can be treated with radioactive iodine or surgical resection of the thyroid gland.  The contribution of genetics to the risk of thyroid cancer is greater than to any other cancer. Thyroid cancer is classified into four main histology groups: papillary (PTC), follicular (FTC), medullary (MTC), and undifferentiated or anaplastic thyroid carcinomas.  The great majority of malignant thyroid tumours are nonmedullary, either PTC (80–85%) or FTC (10–15%). <h5>About deCODE</h5>Headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, deCODE genetics is a global leader in analyzing and understanding the human genome. Using its unique expertise and population resources, deCODE has discovered genetic risk factors for dozens of common diseases ranging from cardiovascular disease to cancer. In order to most rapidly realize the value of genetics for human health, deCODE is currently partnering with life sciences companies to accelerate their target discovery, validation, and prioritization efforts, yielding improved patient stratification for clinical trials and essential companion diagnostics. In addition, through its CLIA- and CAP-certified laboratory, deCODE offers DNA-based tests for gauging risk and empowering prevention of common diseases.  deCODE also licenses its tests, intellectual property, and analytical tools to partner organizations.  deCODE’s corporate information can be found at www.decode.com with information about our genetic testing services at <a href="http://www.decodehealth.com/">www.decodehealth.com</a> and <a href="http://www.decodeme.com">www.decodeme.com</a>
Written By Mike Spear
Leader in plant biology research recognized for outstanding contributions to the field of genetics
Media Release, January 20, 2012 LA JOLLA, CA—The Genetics Society of America (GSA) has honored <a href="http://www.salk.edu/faculty/chory.html">Joanne Chory</a>, Salk Institute professor and director of the Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory and Howard H. and Maryam R. Newman Chair in Plant Biology, as the recipient of the prestigious 2012 Genetics Society of America Medal. GSA established the Genetics Society of America Medal in 1981 to recognize mid-career researchers for outstanding contributions to the field of genetics during the previous 15 years of their careers; it is one of five awards given out annually by the prestigious organization for "distinguished service in the field of genetics." GSA President Philip Hieter, Ph.D., said,"the individuals honored this year exemplify the seminal contributions that genetics makes to our fundamental understanding of living systems, helping point the way toward such applications as developing new treatments for human disease and increasing the yields of agricultural crops. We are delighted to honor these geneticists who have added so much not only to our field, but to society as a whole." Chory, an expert on how plants regulate their growth, pioneered the analysis of plant responses using genetic approaches in Arabidopsis thaliana to reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying plant development. Her laboratory has led the plant field for 20 years and made major discoveries in how plants detect and respond to changes in their environment, particularly light, which has implications for the growth and development of agricultural crops in challenging environments. She elucidated how plants perceive light; identified how chloroplasts signal to the nucleus; and defined a new pathway for the biosynthesis of the plant hormone auxin. She also discovered a novel steroid hormone in plants, identified the steroid receptor and elegantly dissected the signaling network. "The Genetics Society of America Medal is a tremendous honor and underscores Joanne's extraordinary impact and leadership in the field of plant biology," said William R. Brody, President, Salk Institute. "For more than two decades, Joanne has been a driving force in understanding how plants detect and respond to changes in the environment." Chory has received many awards and honors throughout her career including the Award for Initiatives in Research from the National Academy of Sciences, the L'Oreal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science and the Kumho Award in Plant Molecular Biology among others. In 2003, she was named Scientific American's Research Leader in Agriculture. Chory is a member of the Royal Society, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the German National Academy of Sciences (Leopoldina), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science as well as a foreign associate of the French Academy of Sciences and an associate member of EMBO. In 2011, Thomson Reuters Essential Science Indicators named the Salk Institute as the number one research organization for plant biology in the world. <h5>About the Genetics Society of America:</h5> Founded in 1931, the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is the professional scientific society for genetics researchers and educators. Its nearly 5,000 members work to advance knowledge in the basic mechanisms of inheritance, from the molecular to the population level. GSA promotes research and fosters communication among geneticists worldwide through a number of GSA-sponsored conferences including the biennial conference on Model Organisms to Human Biology, an interdisciplinary meeting on current and cutting edge topics in genetics research, and annual and biennial meetings that focus on the genetics of particular model organisms. GSA publishes GENETICS, the leading journal for seminal research in the field and a new, online publication, G3: Genes-Genomes-Genetics, which publishes high quality foundational research, particularly research that generates useful genetic and genomic information. For more information about GSA, please visit <a href="http://www.genetics-gsa.org/">www.genetics-gsa.org</a>. <h5>About the Salk Institute for Biological Studies:</h5>The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is one of the world's preeminent basic research institutions, where internationally renowned faculty probe fundamental life science questions in a unique, collaborative, and creative environment. Focused both on discovery and on mentoring future generations of researchers, Salk scientists make groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of cancer, aging, Alzheimer's, diabetes and infectious diseases by studying neuroscience, genetics, cell and plant biology, and related disciplines.   Faculty achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including Nobel Prizes and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences. Founded in 1960 by polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk, M.D., the Institute is an independent nonprofit organization and architectural landmark. 
Written By Mike Spear
Genetics Society of America Welcomes 2012 Board Members
Media Release Newswise Bethesda, MD (January 11, 2012) -- <a href="http://www.genetics-gsa.org/">The Genetics Society of America</a> (GSA) welcomes four new members elected by the general membership to the 2012 GSA Board of Directors. The new members include a vice president and three directors. They are: <ul><li>Michael Lynch, PhD (Indiana University). Dr. Lynch will serve as vice president in 2012 and as GSA president in 2013.</li><li>Marnie E. Halpern, PhD (Carnegie Institution for Science), director.</li><li>Mohamed Noor, PhD (Duke University), director.</li><li>John Schimenti, PhD (Cornell University), director. </li></ul> In addition to these elected officers, Brenda J. Andrews, PhD (University of Toronto), editor-in-chief of GSA’s journal, G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, which was first published online in June 2011, becomes a member of the Board of Directors. The bylaws have historically included the GENETICS editor-in-chief on the Board and as a result of a 2011 bylaw revision, the G3 editor-in-chief will now also have a seat on the Board. “We are delighted to have these prominent scientists and educators join the Board this year and look forward to their leadership as the Society continues to grow and evolve. We thank the outgoing Board members for their dedicated service and continued involvement,” said GSA Executive Director Adam P. Fagen, PhD. These new officers and directors began their tenure on January 1, 2012, and will remain on the GSA Board until December 31, 2014. <h4>New Members of the GSA Board of Directors:</h4> Vice President: Michael Lynch, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Biology, Class of 1954 Professor, Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington. Dr. Lynch is a population and evolutionary biologist and a long-time member of GSA. Dr. Lynch sees GSA as the home for geneticists who study a broad base of topics and organisms, and as a forum where general discussion occurs, whether based on the principles of genetics, the most pressing issues within the discipline itself, or responses to societal concerns and/or conflicts within applied genetics. His professional interests focus on integrating the life sciences, from molecular to cellular to whole organism biology, and emphasizing the synthesis of empirical investigation with well-grounded mathematical theory, a bridge made possible by genetics. Dr. Lynch is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Directors: Marnie E. Halpern, PhD, Staff Member, Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institution for Science; Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Halpern’s research has spanned two model organisms – Drosophila and zebrafish. Currently working with zebrafish, Dr. Halpern studies neural development with specific interest in how differences are established between the left and right sides of the developing brain. Besides her research, Dr. Halpern is active in science outreach programs in the Baltimore area; working with local science teachers in her community, she developed the “Women Serious About Science” program to encourage women and girls to pursue research careers in science. She is a Pew Scholar and received the Mossman Developmental Biologist Award from the American Association of Anatomists. Mohamed Noor, PhD, Earl D. McLean Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Biology, Duke University. An evolutionary geneticist, Dr. Noor focuses on the genetic architecture of traits that contribute to species formation or maintenance, including behavioral discrimination, hybrid sterility, and hybrid inviability. His research focuses on the model organism Drosophila. Dr. Noor is active in community outreach and is committed to educating the public and policymakers about genetics, genetics researchers, and their work. He has experience on the boards of other professional genetics membership societies and has served as an associate editor on numerous editorial boards, including GENETICS (2001–2004). He is also a fellow of the Linnean Society of London. John Schimenti, PhD, Professor of Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine; Adjunct Professor, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics; Director, Center for Vertebrate Genomics, Cornell University. Dr. Schimenti’s lab investigates the genetics of mammalian development, gametogenesis, and maintenance of genome integrity, all of which have implications in the development of cancers, using the mouse model system. Dr. Schimenti recognizes the need for educating trainees, the public, and policymakers about what geneticists do, why, and how genetics is revolutionizing our understanding of life and our health. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and serves on editorial boards for numerous genetics publications, including GENETICS, where is a member of the Senior Editorial Board. Editor-in-Chief, G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics Brenda J. Andrews, PhD, Professor and Chair, Banting & Best Department of Medical Research; Director, Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto. Dr. Andrews began her tenure as editor-in-chief of GSA’s new journal G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics in 2010, before its inaugural publication in June 2011. The journal seeks to publish well-executed and lucidly-interpreted genetic studies of all kinds and is not bound by subjective editorial criteria of importance, novelty or broad appeal. Dr. Andrews is a yeast geneticist, whose lab uses functional genomics to explore mechanisms of cell cycle control, cell polarity, and gene regulation. She is also involved in projects that aim to systematically explore genetic interaction networks in yeast and other model organisms. Dr. Andrews is Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. These new officers and directors replace past president R. Scott Hawley, PhD (Stowers Institute for Medical Research), and directors Jay C. Dunlap, PhD (Dartmouth Medical School), Douglas E. Koshland, PhD (University of California, Berkeley), and Susan R. Wessler (University of California, Riverside) whose tenure on the GSA Board ended on December 31, 2011. The new members join the following Board officers and directors who continue to serve the Society until the year noted (in parenthesis). • President (2013) Philip Hieter, PhD (University of British Columbia) • Past President (2012) Paul Sternberg, PhD (California Institute of Technology) • Secretary (2012) Mariana F. Wolfner, PhD (Cornell University) • Treasurer (2013) Carol S. Newlon, PhD (UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School) • Editor-in Chief, GENETICS (2013) Mark Johnston, PhD (University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver) • Director (2012) Utpal Banerjee, PhD (University of California, Los Angeles) • Director (2013) Bonnie Bartel, PhD (Rice University) • Director (2013) Judith G. Berman (University of Minnesota) • Director (2012) Elizabeth A. De Stasio, PhD (Lawrence University, Wisconsin) • Director (2012) Sue Jinks-Robertson, PhD (Duke University Medical Center) • Director (2013) Jeannie T. Lee, MD, PhD (Massachusetts General Hospital) • Director (2012) Thomas J. Silhavy, PhD (Princeton University) <h5>ABOUT THE GENETICS SOCIETY OF AMERICA</h5>Founded in 1931, the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is the professional scientific society for genetics researchers and educators. Its nearly 5,000 members work to advance knowledge in the basic mechanisms of inheritance, from the molecular to the population level. GSA promotes research and fosters communication among geneticists worldwide through a number of GSA-sponsored conferences including the biennial conference on Model Organisms to Human Biology, an interdisciplinary meeting on current and cutting edge topics in genetics research, and annual and biennial meetings that focus on the genetics of particular model organisms. GSA publishes GENETICS, the leading journal for seminal research in the field and a new, online publication, G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics, which publishes high quality foundational research, particularly research that generates useful genetic and genomic information. For more information about GSA, please visit www.genetics-gsa.org. Also follow GSA on Facebook at <a href="http://facebook.com/GeneticsGSA">facebook.com/GeneticsGSA</a> and on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/GeneticsGSA">@GeneticsGSA</a>.
Written By Mike Spear

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Dystrophin/dysferlin null mice as useful therapeutic models
It is well known that some forms of muscular dystrophies are caused by mutations in the genes coding for dystrophin and dysferlin – two proteins which both have important roles in the correct functioning of skeletal muscle.The dystrophin protein is located in the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle, and is an integral part of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC). The DGC forms a link between the sarcolemma (the muscle cell membrane) and the cytoskeleton thereby ensuring cell membrane stability and preventing damage during lengthening contractions of the muscle. Dysferlin on the other hand is known to play a critical role in calcium dependent membrane repair. A defect in either protein’s role has a detrimental effect on the muscle.A new research article published this month in Skeletal Muscle uses dystrophin/dysferlin double knock-out (DKO) mice to look at how muscle pathology in dysferlin-null mice is exacerbated by an additional dystrophin deficiency. DKO mice show increased histopathology, decreased sarcolemmal integrity and severe functional defects. The double deficiency causes more severe muscular dystrophy than dysferlin-deficient or wild type mice, and also results in the mice being physically weaker, suffering from contraction-induced injuries and having a low force production. In addition, onset of the muscle pathology in mice lacking both dystrophin and dysferlin is earlier than in the dysferlin-deficient mice.  Han et al. reveal that the role dysferlin has in repairing damaged membranes can be unmasked by a dystrophin deficiency. In dystrophin deficient mice, the initial injury caused by lengthening muscle contractions is more severe than in wild type and dysferlin-null mice. Dystrophin deficient mice are however capable of recovery, revealing the presence of an active membrane repair process to restore membrane integrity. Dysferlin mice on the other hand show a poor recovery, as do DKO mice. These results suggest that the DKO mouse model may be useful in the development of therapies designed to treat dysferlinopathies – muscular dystrophies caused by a defect in the function of the dysferlin protein. To keep up to date with the latest articles from Skeletal Muscle, why not visit our homepage and register to receive article alerts?
By Mike Spear
Abnormalities in brain circuitry as a cause of depression
As a highly variable and debilitating disease, major depressive disorder (MDD) can be notoriously difficult to treat. Many of the difficulties associated with establishing an effective treatment program for those affected by MDD stem from a lack of understanding of the underlying biology of the disorder. The biological basis of mood disorders is a rapidly advancing field, and there is hope that over the next few years, knowledge gained in this area will help advance clinical therapy.Published in Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders this week, Furman et al. present findings from recent research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare the brain circuitry of participants diagnosed with MDD and a control group of individuals with no history of psychiatric disorder. Based on the findings from previous work, they focus their research on frontostriatal functional connectivity. Their results suggest that there may be a link between aberrant connectivity and MDD, whereby depressed individuals display attenuated functional connectivity between the ventral striatum and both ventromedial prefrontal cortex and subgenual anterior cingulate cortex. This study highlights the need for further research to explicitly examine links between mood disorders and connectivity, in particular with regard to specific symptoms. Studies such as this indicate that the management of mood disorders could evolve over time to focus on symptom-specific, targeted treatment, based on the biological root of the disorder.
By Mike Spear
Genome Biology publishes MiSeq data
The pioneering genomicist Sydney Brenner has a sound bite that the most important -omics discipline of all is econ-omics.The holy grail of biomedical research is to translate scientific achievement into practical applications in the clinic. And for genomics to conquer the local hospital ward, it must not only be genom-ical – but also econ-omical.2011 has seen economical genomics arrive one step closer with the unveiling of two sequencing machines of note that are designed to be affordable to small operations: Illumina's MiSeq and Life Technologies' Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine.A new article published in Genome Biology by Olivier Harismendy, Kelly Frazer and colleagues is one of the first publications to showcase MiSeq data. The focus of the article is an ultra-deep targeted sequencing method ('UDT-seq') for the detection of low prevalence mutations in heterogeneous tumor samples. In the article, the authors use calibrated human DNA samples to demonstrate the superior performance of MiSeq over Illumina's Genome Analyzer II platform, in terms of both sensitivity and speed.The impressive quality of the data generated by MiSeq is an encouraging sign that routine sequencing in the clinic may soon become a reality, and that a new era of radically different diagnosis and pharmacology stratagies may be just around the corner.As with all sequencing data described in Genome Biology articles, the MiSeq data are available in a public repository (NBCI SRA: SRP009487). The MiSeq vs GAII comparison is also nicely complemented by last month’s article from Heinz Himmelbauer and colleagues, which compared the errors and biases in GAII and Illumina HiSeq datasets.
By Mike Spear
Did parasites evolve thanks to arrested development?
The evolution of complex traits and life history strategies can often involve the process of preadaptation, through which the evolution of a novel trait is facilitated by an existing feature which previously fulfilled a different role. These features can cover a multitude of anatomical, physiological and behavioral adaptations which include physical characteristics as well as intricate mechanisms and pathways.Stasiuk et al present research in EvoDevo this week surrounding the use of a preadaptive feature in the evolution of parasitism in nematode worms. Nematode parasitism has been speculated to have evolved via a preadaptive mechanism due to the probable high number of evolutionary events leading to parasitism within the group. Furthermore, these events have occurred in species which are interspersed with non-parasitic species, and therefore, all parasitic species in the group cannot be united through a single common parasitic ancestor.In order to test this theory, and their own hypothesis that the dauer larva (a developmentally arrested morph of many free living nematodes, likely to have been present in the last common ancestor to nematodes) represents a possible preadaptation to parasitism, Stasiuk et al discuss a series of experiments into the facultative development of either parasitic or free living life-cycles. They compare life history strategies of Caenorhabditis elegans, a free living nematode with dauer stage larva, and Parastrongyloides trichosuri, a nemataode which uses both parasitic and free living life history strategies, dependent on environmental cues.The authors conclude that their experiments do indeed support the hypothesis of the evolution of parasitism in P.trichosuri through a preadapted developmentally arrested life stage similar to that of the dauer larva in C.elegans. They show that similar environmental cues such as temperature, population density and food availability may affect the formation of dauer larva in C.elegans and uptake of a parasitic life mode in P.trichosuri.
By Mike Spear
Making the most of DNA databases
The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) was established by the FBI to hold genetic records with the intention of creating investigative leads. Since genetic catalogs such as this were first introduced to the criminal justice system, these databases have seen an enormous amount of growth, with CODIS for example now holding more than 10 million profiles. The growth of these databases over the last few years has increased the chances of adventitious matches. This has lead to a greater number of false investigative leads, which has caused an increased strain on resources. In order to reduce adventitious matches, as well as enabling potential new applications of the database and international data exchange, additional loci can be included in the CODIS core loci. The task of reviewing and recommending changes to the core loci has been entrusted to the CODIS Core Working group, who were established specifically for this undertaking.In research published in Investigative Genetics today, Budowle et al evaluate the performance of the current CODIS core loci and newly proposed additions through simplified analyses for adventitious hit rates. Dr Budowle further explains their research; ‘we were motivated to carry out this research because of the consequences that can occur with the selection of core genetic markers for forensic DNA databases. It is not a trivial issue and more thought and effort are needed than has been dedicated. Considerations include genetic typing performance, the service to be provided, and the cost to the public. We hope that our paper will motivate the decision makers for selecting an updated core set of markers for CODIS, and for that matter any other forensic DNA database, to draw on a greater breadth of scientific and statistical talent and perform more in depth analyses. We all want a high quality and high performance system that will serve the needs of protecting society’.   The study suggests that the current core loci are not sufficient in meeting present demands, and that at least 19 autosomal loci, or the inclusion of Y chromosome STR loci would be required for CODIS to function effectively. Whilst this research does not claim to provide the solution to managing the CODIS core loci, by highlighting the different options open to improving CODIS through simple examples, it demonstrates the requirement for more comprehensive research to be conducted before recommendations can be followed.
By Mike Spear
BMC Ecology starts 2012 on a high!
The year 2011 was a successful one for BMC Ecology and 2012 is off to an excellent start with the news that the journal has been accepted for tracking by Thomson Reuters and will receive its first Impact Factor in 2015. We are delighted with this result as it reflects the growth and increased visibility of the journal in its field and the hard work and support given by our Editorial Board and in-house team.To support and drive the further growth of BMC Ecology, we are now working with external Section Editors on the journal and are pleased to welcome Nick Royle, Josef Settele, Jean Clobert, Michel Baguette, and Mike Bonsall to the journal in these roles. We look forward to working with them on developing their sections in the future and benefiting from their experience and expertise.In addition to these successes BMC Ecology celebrated the 2011 UN Year of Forests with the publication of a thematic series entitled ‘Forests: Looking to the Future’ in conjunction with another of BioMed Central’s open access journals, Carbon Balance and Management. The series published a number of articles, including a review by Raf Aerts and one of BMC Ecology’s Associate Editors Olivier Honnay on forest restoration, which has been highly accessed, and an article by Tiina Sarkinen and colleagues on the effective mapping of dry forest biomes. The series has generated a lot of interest and we are pleased with the promotion that has given the journal, in particular the coverage on Twitter at the Forests 2011 conference in Belgium which was happening at the same time.We are looking forward to what the rest of 2012 brings. 
By Mike Spear
Where did the nervous system come from?
As a crucial element to the success of the metazoans, the nervous system represents an important evolutionary development. By studying the most ancient definitive nervous systems present in basal metazoans, Simmons et al aim to uncover the evolutionary origins of the neural cell type. Today, in EvoDevo, the results of Simmons et al’s study into the genome of the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi, provide insights into the patterning of sensory cells. Mark Martindale, one of the authors, explains ‘By probing the full genome of Mnemiopsis leidyi, we found that it has a genetic complement of LIM homeobox (Lhx) gene neural transcription factor subfamilies more similar to that of the sponge (which do not possess neurons) lineage than to the complete repertoire found in placozoans, cnidarians, and bilaterians, providing further evidence for the basal position of ctenophore and sponge lineages relative to Parahoxazoans (Placozoa, Cnidaria, Bilaterian).’ The results suggest that Lhx genes are likely to play a role in the patterning of sensory cells in the ancestor of sponges and ctenophores. Martindale concludes that the evidence ‘suggests that Lhx genes play a combinatorial role in sensory cell fate specification in both ctenophores and sponges and support an hypothesis that neurons evolved from primitive sensory cells’.
By Mike Spear
Genome Biology special issue on epigenomics
To showcase the exciting developments currently being made in the study of epigenomes, Genome Biology will publish a special issue on epigenomics in the late summer of 2012.A call for papers has now been issued inviting Research, Method and Software submissions on topics including:methylomes (and hydroxymethylomes)histone modificationsnucleosome positioninghigher order chromatin structuregenome-interacting non-coding RNAsIf you would like to enquire about the suitability of a manuscript for consideration, please email editorial@genomebiology.com. Potential submissions can also be discussed in person at the "Epigenomics and Chromatin Dynamics" and "Nuclear Events in Plant Gene Expression and Signaling" Keystone Symposia; if you are attending one of these conferences and would like to meet us, then please do get in touch. 
By Mike Spear
Bacterial symbionts – the key to fighting pests and diseases?
Arthropods such as insects can be devastatingly efficient pests and disease vectors, posing significant challenges to the agricultural and medical communities. Pesticides used to be a common solution to dealing with pests but, with more stringent environmental regulations on pesticides and increasing pest resistance to the chemicals, new solutions are required. Many arthropods have evolved a symbiotic relationship with bacteria and this association could potentially be exploited to control pests and disease  vectors. This biological control approach, called symbiont-based control strategies, would be preferable to chemical controls due to their lower environmental impact. In order to exploit the arthropod- bacterial symbiosis, more knowledge of the relationship is required. BMC Microbiology has published a supplement – Arthropod symbiosis: from fundamental studies to pest and disease management consisting of the latest interdisciplinary research in this field. The articles in the supplement look at bacterial symbiosis with pests such as the Anopheles mosquito that spreads malaria, tsetse fly that spreads sleeping sickness and the cereal weevil that devastates cereal crops. Currently in their initial stages of development, symbiont-based control strategies have the potential to increase global health and food resources by removing arthropod disease vectors and agricultural pests.
By Mike Spear
Aquatic Biosystems: Riding the wave
Aquatic Biosystems, previously Saline Systems, was relaunched today with a broader scope to incorporate all aspects of basic and applied research on aquatic organisms and environments. The first articles published today in Aquatic Biosystems include research by Patricia Assuncao et al. on the molecular taxonomy of new strains of Dunaliella, and research by Steve Ferguson and colleagues on predation behaviour and feeding ecology of killer whales in the Canadian Arctic based on traditional Inuit ecological knowledge and scientific observations.The new journal also has an expanded Editorial Board, who cover new subject areas including fisheries, microbial ecology, population genetics, and aquatic invertebrate ecology. The journal is ideally placed to benefit from the increasing focus on aquatic biological systems within the scientific community and will be key in disseminating the important research results and information published within this field.Also published in the journal today is an introductory editorial from Editors-in-Chief Shiladitya DasSarma and Edward Phlips, who discuss the changes in aquatic biological systems through time and the timeliness of Aquatic Biosystems’ relaunch. “The increasing and widening threats posed by the actions of human biosystems to the integrity and sustainability of aquatic biosystems highlight the importance of understanding how these systems function, and their resilience to environmental change. Understanding the aquatic microbial community and its effects on plants and animals is key to choosing a sustainable future. The complexity of this task will require the use of all available resources, including the wide range of technological capabilities driving basic and applied research in the 21st century.”We look forward to highlighting other leading articles on aquatic biosystems in the future and to you helping us grow and cement the journals’ reputation in the field as the home for all research on aquatic organisms and environments. 
By Mike Spear