Nature highlights the top science news of the week, including the new interdisciplinary center at MIT aimed at examining the microbiome. “The center will initially focus on inflammatory bowel disease, but organizers hope to eventually broaden the scope to diseases such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis and autism,” Nature reports.
Richard Knox writes for WBUR about Grace Silva, a cancer patient whose tumor was analyzed by a team from MIT and Harvard. The team uncovered genetic mutations in her tumor that allowed them to treat her with a drug matched precisely to her condition, a model for how cancer researchers hope to eventually treat all patients.
Kat McGowan of The Scientific American cites research by Professor Angelica Amon that indicates recent findings may overestimate the amount of genetic variation in healthy human bodies. “Having the wrong chromosome number is not a good thing,” says Amon.
“There are now 108 known places in the genome which point us towards genes that are involved in causation. And, as you suggest, while most are in the nervous system, some of them, very intriguingly, point to the immune system as being involved,” Dr. Steven Hyman says of the new findings on schizophrenia during an interview with the PBS Newshour.
Professor Kenneth Oye speaks with WBUR’s Sacha Pfeiffer about his recent research that details a new way to alter the genomes of organisms and the need for a public discussion about the potential implications and benefits of this new technology.
Los Angeles Times reporter Geoffrey Mohan writes about a new study, coauthored by researchers from the Broad Institute, that identifies over 100 regions in human DNA that correlate with schizophrenia. “The findings provide substantial support for a genetic root to the disorder and greatly narrow the search for genes that may cause the disease, the authors said,” writes Mohan.
In a piece for USA Today, Karen Weintraub reports that scientists have identified more than 100 genes connected to schizophrenia. "Most importantly, the goal is not to end up with a list of genes, but with novel treatments,” explains Steven Hyman, director of the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute.
Associated Press reporter Seth Borenstein writes that researchers have discovered more than 100 spots in our DNA tied to schizophrenia. "It's a genetic revelation; schizophrenia has been a mystery," says study co-author Steve McCarroll, director of genetics for the Broad Institute.
Writing for The New Yorker, Professor Seth Mnookin examines the struggles facing a young couple whose firstborn child was the only known patient with a specific genetic disorder. Mnookin explores how the parents were able to spur research into their son’s disorder by locating other patients with the disease.
Scientists have uncovered more than 100 genes involved in learning, memory, brain signaling and the immune system that are related to schizophrenia, reports Angel Zimm for Bloomberg News. “I’m hopeful these genetic results can point to a new understanding of the root cause of schizophrenia, and why all the symptoms emerge,” explains Steve McCarroll of the Broad Institute.
In a piece for National Geographic, Ed Yong writes about how a team of scientists from MIT has found a corresponding rhythm of behavior amongst marine bacteria. “The study reveals the power of sophisticated sampling devices for studying ocean features that were heretofore inaccessible,” says MIT Prof. Penny Chisholm.
Lauren Hitchings of New Scientist reports on findings showing that marine microbes exhibit daily patterns of behavior. “The researchers think this might be a result of the low nutrient levels in the open ocean, and the need for organisms to rely on one another for metabolic functions,” writes Hitchings.
Nathalia Holt writes for Popular Science about Professor Feng Zhang’s work with gene-editing systems, in particular TALENs and CRISPR, and how these new techniques could be used to help tackle deadly diseases.
“Three scientific papers about the Y chromosome, which determines maleness in humans and most other mammals, should lay to rest the myth that it may disappear after a few more million years of evolution,” Financial Times reporter Clive Cookson writes of MIT research on the Y chromosome.
Scientific American reports on Professor Susan Lindquist’s research into how the protein HSP90, which binds to other proteins to keep them properly folded, can play into genetic variability during times of stress.