Genetics

This past Monday marked the formal launch of the “Personal Genome Project,” a bold initiative led by George Church (Harvard University) to sequence and interpret 100,000 individuals’ complete DNA code. 

Click on the link below to view the winning entries for Nikon's "Small World" photography contest. This contest is "...the leading forum for showcasing the beauty and complexity of life as seen through the light microscope." Scientists from all over the world submit their entries for this prestigious award.

Give the Nikon site a look. Many of the pictures are quite stunning - true works of art!

This Smithsonian Magazine article explores the power of genetics to reveal information about one's ancestry, so-called "genetic geneology."  The article tells the story of several Hispanic families who were revealed to have Jewish ancestry from Spain (in the 15th century, Spanish Jews were forced to either convert to Catholicism or flee the country).

Over the weekend, Chicago Tribune Magazine ran a very good article about local filmmaker Joanna Rudnick and her documentary film on genetic testing and heritable breast cancer, "In the Family."  The film premiered on PBS's Point of View on Oct 1.  More information about the film and the filmmaker can be found on their website, inthefamilyfilm.com.