A controversial new gene-editing technology could win a Nobel — and a fight is raging over who invented it

 

Every year, people try to predict who will win a Nobel Prize in science. This year, Thompson Reuters named two scientists for the discovery of a powerful technology for editing genomes, known as CRISPR/Cas9. Problem is, they're not the only scientists claiming credit for the discovery. Molecular biologists Jennifer Doudna, of UC Berkeley, and Emmanuelle Charpentier, of the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Germany, were nominated by Thompson Reuters for their pioneering work on CRISPR. But Feng Zhang, a molecular biologist at the Broad Institute and MIT, owns the patents for the technique, and claims he discovered it independently. Doudna's team filed for a patent first, however, and now the two groups' lawyers are locked in a fierce intellectual property battle. The final decision of who should get the patents will come down to who can prove they were first to invent the technology. And the stakes are high — both groups have licensed the technology to spinoff companies, and the patents could be worth millions of dollars.   A powerful tool with high stakes CRISPR, which refers to short stretches of repeated DNA, were originally discovered in E. coli bacteria by Japanese scientist Yoshizumi Ishino in 1987, but their function was a mystery. Later, scientists discovered that these repeated sequences contained DNA from viruses. Researchers then found a set of related genes, which encoded molecules that act like scissors to cut a virus's DNA. The bacterium would then paste that viral DNA into its own genome, so it could recognize the threat and fight it off in the future. Doudna and Charpentier had independently been studying a CRISPR system in bacteria that involved the protein Cas9, which cuts DNA very precisely. The two scientists decided to pair up, and published a highly cited study in the journal Science in 2012 that demonstrated this technology could be used to edit human cells. Since then, CRISPR/Cas9 has been used in a wide range of organisms, includingbaker's yeast, flies, mice (by Zhang and his team) and monkeys. Earlier this year, Chinese scientists even used it to modify human embryos, which were tweaked so they couldn't survive. Doudna, Charpentier, and others quickly realized the technique's potential, which could allow scientists to easily and accurately cut-and-paste the genes of any organism. The method could be used to fix defective genes that cause disease, or even to enhance a gene — prompting some to worry it might be used to create "designer babies."   The controversy heats up Zhang — the MIT and Harvard Broad Institute scientist who claims he also discovered the CRISPR technique — was awarded the first patent for the technique in April 2014. But the adminstrators of California’s public university system (where Doudna is from) have petitioned the US Patent and Trademark Office to reconsider the ownership of ten patents issued to MIT and the Harvard Broad Institute. A decision has not been reached. Adding fuel to the fire, Zhang just discovered an alternative to Cas9 that may work even better for editing genes. The Nobel winner could be announced before the patent office reaches a decision, however. And if the Nobel committee honors one group of scientists while the patent office honors another, it wouldn't be the first time. The chemistry Nobel will be announced on Wednesday October 7, after 11:45 a.m. local time in Sweden. And whatever happens then, you can be sure we haven't heard the last of the CRISPR saga. NOW WATCH: Scientists have almost discovered how to resurrect a woolly mammoth   http://www.businessinsider.com/crispr-nobel-controversy-2015-10

Staying healthy: Experiment finds key to natural detoxifier’s reactivity

 

A chalk drawing showing the key bonds in the cytochrome intermediate compound. The shorter iron-sulfur bond enables the more reactive double-bonded oxygen atom to extend farther out on the other side and participate in an activation reaction. Credit: Michael T. Green, Elizabeth L. Onderko/ Penn State University Researchers working at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have discovered that a mere 9-trillionths-of-a-meter reduction in the length of a chemical bond dramatically boosts the reactivity of a family of molecules that helps keep humans and many other organisms healthy. This result, reported recently in Nature Chemistry, is expected to help scientists design and manufacture new and more effective medicines. The molecules, called cytochrome P450s, are known as "nature's detoxifiers," said Courtney Krest Roach, a beamline scientist at SLAC's Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) -- a DOE Office of Science User Facility -- and first author of the paper. Since cytochrome P450 was discovered more than 50 years ago, more than 11,000 variants have been identified in every kingdom of life, including animals, plants, fungi and bacteria. Some 57 different P450s are found in humans, typically in the liver, where they help break down poisons and unwanted molecules. They are also essential in the body's manufacture of certain hormones, and chemists hope to be able to use them in the future to catalyze the creation of complex molecules for use in medicine and industry. "Our bodies use P450s to perform one step in the metabolism of some 75 percent of pharmaceuticals," Roach said. "And the P450s' extreme selectivity can enable much more direct and efficient synthesis of a number of high-value hydrocarbons and organic molecules." Molecular Structure is Key Each cytochrome P450 is optimized to catalyze an initial "activation" step in a specific chemical reaction. They all share the same basic atomic structure: A central iron atom is surrounded by four nitrogen atoms, with a sulfur-based structure sticking out from one side of the ring. Activation creates an intermediate compound that has an oxygen atom double-bonded to the iron atom; it sticks out from the other side of the ring. Because the P450s' intermediate compounds were short-lived, chemists who were trying to learn how they worked tried studying a slightly simpler molecule, called CPO, which had a more stable intermediate. But they found it was much less reactive than the P450s ­- in some cases only one-fortieth as reactive. Researchers needed to know why, because a more reactive P450 can break stronger bonds, metabolize new medicines or make different final products. The new experiments at SSRL were led by Penn State University Professor Michael Green, who was Roach's PhD advisor. The research team used the absorption of X-rays by the intermediate forms of CPO and P450s to make ultraprecise measurements of their atomic structures. The results showed that the big difference in reactivity was caused by a miniscule, 9-trillionths-of-a-meter difference in the lengths of their iron-sulfur bonds. Small Changes, Big Impact Slight changes in hydrogen bonding near the central iron atom shortened the length of the P450s' iron-sulfur bond by 4 percent. This changed the distribution of nearby electrons in a way that weakened and lengthened the iron-oxygen double bond on the opposite side of the ring. This, in turn, made it easier for the oxygen atom to carry out its part in the activation process, thus increasing P450s' reactivity. "SSRL is the only place that we could do these experiments with the necessary quality," Roach said. In their "News & Views" commentary on this research published in the same issue of Nature Chemistry, University of Illinois professors Ilia Denisove and Stephen Silgar said this result is a significant breakthrough that will provide the basis for researchers to design and make new catalysts and adapt P450-based systems for use in biotechnology. Story Source: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. Journal Reference: Courtney M. Krest, Alexey Silakov, Jonathan Rittle, Timothy H. Yosca, Elizabeth L. Onderko, Julio C. Calixto, Michael T. Green. Significantly shorter Fe–S bond in cytochrome P450-I is consistent with greater reactivity relative to chloroperoxidase. Nature Chemistry, 2015; 7 (9): 696 DOI: 10.1038/nchem.2306   http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151007145246.htm

Peugeot Citroën's self-driving car makes Paris to Bordeaux run

 

An autonomous Peugeot Citroën has driven itself all the way from Paris to Bordeaux in a demonstration of the increasing viability of self-driving vehicles (Credit: PSA Peugeot Citroën) A PSA Peugeot Citroën driverless vehicle has journeyed 580 km (360 miles) on the motorway from Paris to Bordeaux entirely in autonomous mode. Automatically maintaining its speed to the road conditions and traffic, as well as independently changing lanes to pass slower traffic, the Peugeot Citroën completed the journey without incident and demonstrated the increasing viability of driverless motor vehicles. Motoring to Bordeaux to participate in the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress (5 to 9 October), the car was in attendance to show off PSA Peugeot Citroën’s new autonomous technology along with its newly-developed car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communication systems. The on-board sensors and car and infrastructure communications demonstrated are claimed to provide a raft of safety features, including pedestrian awareness and collision avoidance from information transmitted by cars ahead and via dynamic road signs designed to deliver tailored messages to drivers. The autonomous vehicle itself contained a vast array of on-board systems, including radar, automated braking, steering, and acceleration, GPS, and digital cameras, to name but a few. All working in concert with the master electronic control unit – and monitored remotely by a Peugeot Citroën control center – the autonomous vehicle is designed to be safer than driver-only vehicles, where hazards such as fatigue and human error are a major factor in collisions. "The journey made by our prototype today proves that autonomous vehicles are no longer a matter of science fiction," said Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the managing board of PSA Peugeot Citroën. "This ushers in a new era of mobility, which I find truly exciting." Much like the Mercedes-Benz autonomous truck recently tested on a stretch of Autobahn in Germany, the PSA Peugeot Citroën vehicle was permitted to drive on the highway with stringent protocols in place. With a driver ready to take control at any time, the vehicle's degree of autonomic control was set at what is known as "Level 3"; where the the vehicle is able to accelerate, brake, steer, and control the vehicle. Peugeot Citroën also included what it calls the Scoop@F system, which allows not only for the autonomous controls and mechanisms mentioned earlier, but a range of more intuitive vehicle controls. Such things include adaptive cruise controls that manages vehicle speeds as standard systems do, but also allows for upcoming traffic light changes, hills, obstacles, and traffic flow via intrinsic communications systems collecting data from other vehicles and traffic infrastructure. Unlike many autonomous concepts, however, PSA Peugeot Citroën says its vehicle will be fully-capable of "Level 5" autonomous control (subject to legislative approval) in the not-too-distant-future. Slated for release to the public by 2018, Peugeot Citroën customers will be able to purchase vehicles fitted with all the features demonstrated in this most recent test run (aka "Level 3") which, the company believes, will greatly enhance customer safety by relieving the driver of fatigue from the tedium of long-distance driving or inattention.   Source: PSA Peugeot Citroën http://www.gizmag.com/peugeot-citroen-autonomous-car-paris-bordeaux/39738

10 Tips for Lung Cancer Prevention

 

Written or medically reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Policy. Updated March 11, 2015. Lung cancer prevention goes beyond avoiding smoking. More than half of people who develop lung cancer at this time are not current smokers. What are 10 things you can do today to lower your risk? istockphoto.com 1.  Don't Smoke Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for 80 to 90% of lung cancers. It is never too late to quit smoking. For those who have been diagnosed with lung cancer, smoking cessation may improve survival. More » flickr.com, user oparvez 2.  Check Your Home for Radon For non-smokers, checking your home for radon is the number one thing you can do for lung cancer prevention. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. Radon is an odorless gas that results from the decay of natural uranium in the soil beneath our homes. Elevated levels of radon have been found in homes in all 50 states and around the world. The only way to know if you are at risk is to test your home for radon. More » istockphoto.com 3.  Be Careful and Aware at Work It’s estimated that up to 29% of lung cancers in men are related to on-the-job exposures to cancer causing substances. Many of these work collectively with smoking to raise your risk even further. Employers are required to provide Material Safety Data Sheets on chemicals you may be exposed to at work. Make sure to check these out. Occupation and Lung Cancer – What Should You Know? More » istockphoto.com 4.  Be Careful and Aware at Home Lung cancer prevention is important at home as well. Chemicals that contribute to lung cancer are found not only at the workplace, but may be under your sink or in your garage. Carefully read labels on household products and follow the instructions for safe usage. Wood smoke from wood burning stoves and fireplaces may also increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Environmental Exposures and Lung Cancer Risk More » istockphoto.com 5.  Avoid Secondhand Smoke Secondhand smoke is responsible for roughly 3000 cases of lung cancer each year in the United States alone. Living with a smoker increases your chance of developing lung cancer by 20 to 30%.. Thankfully, smoking laws have made it easier to stay “secondhand smoke free” in recent years, and will likely play an important role in lung cancer prevention. More » istockphoto.com 6.  Exercise for Lung Cancer Prevention Even moderate amounts of exercise can aid in lung cancer prevention. Studies suggest that even something as simple as gardening twice a week is associated with a lower risk of developing lung cancer. Exercise and Lung Cancer Prevention More » istockphoto.com 7.  Eat a Variety of Fruits and Vegetables A diet rich in fruits in vegetables is linked with a lower risk of developing lung cancer. Recently, studies suggest that variety may be even more important than quantity. Make lung cancer prevention fun by trying out new foods in the produce section. Try to choose a rainbow of colors, including dark greens such as spinach and broccoli, the whites of onions, the reds of apples and tomatoes, and the orange of orange juice and winter squash. On a reverse note, inorganic phosphates found in processed meats and cheeses are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Diet and Lung Cancer Prevention More » istockphoto.com 8.  Enjoy a Cup of Green Tea Green tea has been shown to prevent some of the damage to cells caused by smoking, and people who consume more green tea appear to have a lower risk of lung cancer. That said, drinking green tea isn’t a “get out of jail free” card, andquitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to lower your risk. National Cancer Institute, J. Troha (photographer) 9.  Limit Your Intake of Alcohol Another important step in lung cancer prevention may include limiting your intake of certain types of alcoholic beverages. For men, the heavy consumption of beer and hard liquor is associated with an elevated risk of developing lung cancer. In contrast, a moderate intake of wine in men was linkedwith a lower risk of developing the disease. More » istockphoto.com 10.  Be Wary of Supplements Advertisements would lead us to believe that nutritional supplements are beneficial in lung cancer prevention, while in fact, studies have actually linked the use of some supplements to a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Supplements that have raised concern include beta-carotene, retinol, lutein, and vitamin E. If you are considering taking nutritional supplements, talk with your doctor or ask her to refer you to someone knowledgeable about the risks and benefits of supplements for your specific situation.   http://lungcancer.about.com/od/preventinglungcance1/tp/Lung-Cancer-Prevention-Tips.htm

How, mathematically, to make something go viral on Facebook

 

Strategic approach for information spreading via Facebook using cancer screenings as a health intervention   Researchers at Chapman University have proposed a strategic approach for information spreading via Facebook using cancer screenings as a health intervention. In a study called, Information diffusion, Facebook clusters, and the simplicial model of social aggregation: a computation simulation of simplicial diffusers for community health interventions, they use Facebook to identify social clusters and opinion leaders and mathematically determine the best way to spread information, using health information as the subject. What they found is neither way is better than the other. Rather, for maximum reach the best way to spread (or diffuse) information is to utilize both opinion leaders and social clusters on Facebook. "In the simplest terms, we are asking: can we mathematically determine whether something will go viral on Facebook," said Daniele Struppa, Ph.D., chancellor of Chapman University. By using Facebook to identify socially bonded clusters of people, culturally distinct subgroups and different united social entities that coexist within a larger community, the researchers created a computational simulation consisting of seven prepositions and five algorithmic steps to identify the way to achieve the maximum reach of people, using cancer prevention information as the subject. "This paper challenges diffusion research established methods," said Chapman University assistant professor Kerk Kee, Ph.D. "Common diffusion methods suggest that employing an opinion leader is the best way to spread information; however, this research suggests that one person in a social cluster can spread information to others just as effectively or more under certain network configurations on Facebook." The seven propositions describe how information spreading, higher dimensional groups, social aggregations (a complex network of individuals and socially bonded clusters of people) on Facebook can be mathematically conceptualized to extend classical network analysis to a higher dimensionality. These identify Facebook friends and users who share world views, a shared identity and ideology, shared groups, using similar linguistic styles, and endorsing or "liking" similar postings. "One can argue that Facebook has become an integral part of many people's communication repertoire; people continue to be social when they are indoors," said Chapman professor Lisa Sparks, Ph.D. "They chat online with friends and keep up with them via their Facebook pages. Given Facebook's highly diffused status and heavy daily dosage, we believe it is one of the best platforms for understanding how a mathematical model can be used for health interventions." The research group included health communicators, mathematicians, computational scientists, and diffusion researchers. The study was published in the journal Health Communication. Authors on the study included: Dr. Kerk Kee, Dr. Lisa Sparks and Dr. Daniele Struppa of Chapman University; Dr. Mirco Mannucci of George Mason University and Dr. Alberto Damiano of Deledda International School of Italy. Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University provides a uniquely personalized and interdisciplinary educational experience to highly qualified students. Our programs encourage innovation, creativity and collaboration, and focus on developing global citizen-leaders who are distinctively prepared to improve their community and their world. Story Source: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Chapman University.Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. Journal Reference: Kerk F. Kee, Lisa Sparks, Daniele C. Struppa, Mirco A. Mannucci, Alberto Damiano. Information diffusion, Facebook clusters, and the simplicial model of social aggregation: a computational simulation of simplicial diffusers for community health interventions. Health Communication, 2015; 1 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2014.960061 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151006132031.htm