"From Genes to Genomes: Concepts and Applications of DNA Technology, 2nd Edition"

Rapid advances in a collection of techniques referred to as gene technology, genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology and gene cloning have pushed molecular biology to the forefront of the biological sciences. From Genes to Genomes: Concepts and Applications of DNA Technology, Second Edition explains key ideas underlying the most central techniques in the context of the ways in which they are used.

The book opens with a brief review of the basic concepts of molecular biology, before moving on to describe the key molecular methods and how they fit together. This ranges from the cloning and study of individual genes to the sequencing of whole genomes, and the analysis of genome-wide information. Finally, the book moves on to consider some of the applications of these techniques, in biotechnology, medicine and agriculture, as well as in research that is causing the current explosion of knowledge across the biological sciences.

• Specific changes for the new edition include:
• Strengthening the genes to genomes theme
• Updating and reinforcing some topics especially proteomics, gene therapy and stem cells
• An increase in the number of eukaryotic/mammalian examples and less focus on bacteria

As with the first edition, there are a large number of clear, two-colour diagrams throughout the book, and an accompanying website.

A simple blood test can show whether or not you're prone to cancer, specifically cancer that runs in your family. Knowing your cancer risk early can save your life or the life of someone in your family.Most cancers occur by chance, but certain forms of the disease, like breast, ovarian, and colon cancer can be hereditary. With the genetics counseling program at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, patients can learn about their cancer risk before the disease even forms.

Aimee Kruger and her mother, Margaret Sorensen, survived the same tragedy. Both had breast cancer at a younger age than normal. Kruger was only 27-years-old. “I wouldn't want to go through cancer again and do all of the treatments. So if there's a way not to have to, I'd want to know," says Kruger. Those answers came just a few weeks ago. Sorensen underwent genetic testing at Mercy Medical Center. The results showed her breast cancer was hereditary.

“I do have that mutation for breast cancer and also possibly for ovarian cancer," says Sorensen. And, it’s most likely her daughter does, too. Now, both women are taking steps to prevent another possible battle with breast cancer or a new fight with ovarian cancer. “I have pretty much decided that I want to have my ovaries removed. I don’t want to have to worry about that. It’s one less thing to think about," says Sorensen.

But carrying a hereditary mutation isn’t a sure sign someone will get sick. “It doesn't automatically mean you will develop cancer, but certainly means you are at a higher risk," says Colleen Nemickas of Mercy Medical Center. That’s news some patients can’t handle, so they choose not to have the testing. Others say it’s out of fear of insurance companies. But Nemickas says for now, that’s only a concern for people with individual health insurance policies.

Response Genetics, Inc. announced today that it plans to make its test for Excision- Repair Cross-Complementing 1 (ERCC-1) gene expression for platin-based chemotherapy resistance available to selected institutions and clinical practice groups in the first quarter of 2008. The test will be offered only through Response Genetics' CLIA-certified laboratory in California. The initial launch will provide additional information about the clinical utility of ERCC-1 in the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung

Cancer (NSCLC); clinical practice activities such as sample acquisition, logistics, patient and physician communication; and the use of the test in normal clinical practice related to NSCLC.

Previously, the Company announced the publication of promising results from a prospective study published in the July 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The data indicated that high expression of ERCC-1 in patients with advanced NSCLC predicts resistance to platin-based chemotherapy. These findings suggest that the measurement of ERCC-1 levels would play a role in individualizing treatment therapies for certain lung cancer patients. The multi-center, randomized study was designed to determine the overall response rate (complete plus partial responses) of patients with stage IIIb or IV NSCLC to cisplatin-based therapy by determining levels of the biomarker

ERCC-1 mRNA in a paraffin-embedded tissue biopsy before administering treatment. The Company believes that this is the first prospective study using a biomarker to predict chemotherapy response in lung cancer.

"There is tremendous value in identifying and supporting-through clinical analysis-personalized treatment to improve patient outcomes," said Kathleen Danenberg, President and CEO of Response Genetics, Inc. "The results of this prospective trial, along with previous studies, provide strong evidence that determining ERCC-1 levels in patients will enable physicians to make a more informed decision on the suitability of platin-based chemotherapy treatment for NSCLC patients."

Response Genetics, Inc. will continue research efforts in other cancers where platin-based chemotherapy is used, including colon, ovarian, gastric and esophageal and plans to expand offering of the ERCC-1 molecular diagnostic test to additional institutions and additional cancers as clinical results become available.

Those of us who have IBS ("irritable blogger syndrome") are naturally analytical. We wonk to live, and live to wonk. In my areas of wonkery -- fitness, nutrition, health, human performance -- the discussion often touches on genetics.

As a child, I could never figure out why I was so passionate about playing sports but so bad at actually playing them. Not only was I skinny, slow, weak, and modestly coordinated, my body sabotaged me at every turn. I had poor vision, was plagued by foot and ankle injuries, and wrecked my right shoulder the first time I attempted a tackle in a high school football game.

I wanted to play as much as I wanted to do anything in life that required clothing, but I flat-out sucked.

It made no sense to me: My father was a big guy who'd been a marine drill sergeant. My older brother was stronger and had magnificent coordination, even if he was more injury prone. My younger sister and two of my younger brothers were also more athletic. Now that I have kids, I get to ask all the same questions, only without feeling sorry for myself.

I see my son has the same frame I had, and the same lack of coordination. But he's blessed with a nearly complete lack of interest in sports.

My older daughter is almost my opposite: She's short for her age, while I was relatively tall until high school. She's strong, fast, and fearless on the field, but doesn't seem to think much about sports unless she's playing them.

Then there's my younger daughter, the enigma. Three years ago, when she was four, she seemed to have really good balance and running form. But she lost it. For no discernible reason, her running became awkward, like she had borrowed someone else's feet and legs. Her real feet and legs showed up again a couple weeks ago when, out of the blue, she started playing soccer in a game the way she used to play in our backyard.