Archive for July, 2011


The Web Pays Tribute to the Father of Genetics

Filed Under: DNA Testing by dnatesting101 — 2 Comments
July 20, 2011
gregor mendel 228x300 The Web Pays Tribute to the Father of Genetics

The Father of Genetics

Gregor Mendel, The Father of Genetics

Although his work was not recognized until after the turn of the 20th century, Gregor Mendel’s posthumous fame continues to be recognized. Gregor Mendel is known as the Father of Genetics for his discovery of the new science of genetics in the mid 1800s, while studying the different inheritance of traits found in pea plants. Mendel planted the seeds for the science of genetics by laying out how physical traits are passed from one generation to the next.

After 8 years of growing numerous generations of pea plants (about 28,000 in total), Mendel concluded that all plants and animals have certain elements that are the transmitters of physical traits from parents to offspring. So what did Mendel discover? Genes, the elements that genetic scientists heavily rely on today.

GregorMendel 300x157 The Web Pays Tribute to the Father of Genetics

Gregor Mendel on Today's Google Doodle

Today Google pays tribute to the Father of Genetics on his 189th birthday, with a Google Doodle illustrating pea plants with genetic markers. Where would we be without Gregor Mendel and his discovery of genes, the all-important strands part of our DNA makeup!

Happy Birthday, Gregor!


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Breakthrough in AIDS Prevention, Researchers Find Daily Pill Lowers Spread of HIV Infection

Filed Under: DNA Testing, In The News by dnatesting101 — 3 Comments
July 15, 2011

Two groundbreaking studies in Africa have shown that partners of people who have HIV can protect themselves by taking once-daily antiretroviral pills.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) teamed with the Botswana Ministry of Health to study and test the new antiretroviral pills that could possibly reduce the spread of AIDS.

The CDC study looked at 1,200 men and women in Botswana and found that those taking the daily pills containing Truvada lowered the risk of contracting the HIV infection by 78-percent.

The other study was conducted in Kenya and Uganda, parts of Africa where the epidemic of AIDS still runs rampant and regular condom use still continues to be rejected. A larger number of discordant heterosexual couples participated. Discordant couples are those where one partner is infected and the other is not.

The second study was an effort by Partners PrEP; the University of Washington tested daily pre-exposure of prophylaxis (PrEP) and found positive results on the effect of Truvada in reducing HIV transmission.

“Given the severity of the HIV epidemic among heterosexual men and women globally – and the critical need for female-controlled prevention methods – this study provides exciting and welcome news,” said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.  “The next important step is to fully review the data and assess when and how PrEP should best be used for HIV prevention among heterosexuals.”what about hiv infographic Breakthrough in AIDS Prevention, Researchers Find Daily Pill Lowers Spread of HIV Infection

 

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Success! First Fully Synthetic Organ Transplant, Donors to Become Obsolete?

Filed Under: In The News by dnatesting101 — 1 Comment
July 8, 2011

Stockholm, Sweden-  A milestone in regenerative medicine, the first ever laboratory grown windpipe has been transplanted into a male cancer patient. The patient, Andemariam Beyene, will be discharged today as the first man to have a completely synthetic windpipe implanted into his body. This breakthrough may eliminate the need for organ donors in years to come.

In the past, viable organs donated by deceased donors were necessary to bioengineer synthetic organs for transplantation. The first tissue-engineered trachea utilizing a patient’s own stem cells was transplanted in 2008. Now in 2011, new strides have been made with the 36-year old cancer undergoing the procedure at the Karolinska University Hospital a month ago.

The organ was grown from scratch with the help of technology from the University of London. An artificial “scaffold” was used to grow the patient’s own stem cells taken from his bone marrow.

There are two types of bone marrow, red marrow & yellow marrow, and they contains three types of stem cells. Stem cells in adults work to repair and replenish tissues in the body. Stem cells have both self-renewal and potency properties that make these cells vital to regenerative medicine.

[INFOGRAPHIC] – Now they can add this ‘first’ to the list!

28 Odd Facts infographics human body Success! First Fully Synthetic Organ Transplant, Donors to Become Obsolete?

Because these organs are built using the patient’s own stem cells there is no risk of the organ being rejected by the patient’s immune system.

A 2010 study suggests that “stem cells intentionally cut and then repair their own DNA as a mechanism of activating genes that promote the development of new tissue.” Our genetic code is made of 46 strands of DNA, many cancers occur when carcinogens form DNA mutations. Ironically it is these stem cells that are possibly breaking their DNA to promote growth and regeneration.

This progress and news will literally change the life of millions waiting on organ donor lists. The Stockholm patient is said to be recovering well and will be discharged from the hospital today.

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How DNA Set Her Free: Casey Anthony Verdict NOT GUILTY for Murder

Filed Under: DNA Testing, In The News by dnatesting101 — 1 Comment
July 5, 2011

It was announced earlier today that the jury had reached a verdict on the Casey Anthony murder trial and that Chief Judge Belvin Perry would be publicly reading the verdict at 2:15 p.m. EST. The world now knows that a jury of Casey Anthony’s peers has found her not guilty of murder in the first degree. Casey Anthony was also found not guilty for aggravated child abuse and not guilty for the aggravated manslaughter of a child.

casey anthony not guilty 300x211 How DNA Set Her Free: Casey Anthony Verdict NOT GUILTY for MurderSo how is it that after jurors deliberated nearly 11 hours to reach this verdict, Casey Anthony was only found guilty on four counts of providing false information to a law enforcement officer? The answer to that is DNA. The total lack of Casey Anthony’s DNA and forensic evidence on and around the remains of Caylee Anthony was  most likely the factor that caused to jury to find her not guilty.

What is DNA?

DNA is a genetic code twisted in a long chain known as a double helix. A double helix is comprised of four nucleotides (adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine) that all interlink to create your individual genetic code.

Each human being, unless a twin, holds a unique genetic marker comprised of DNA combined from your parents. Each of the 23 chromosomal pairs that link to make DNA is either comprised of one chromosome from your mother or your father.

The Role of DNA in Court

The unique marker, like fingerprints, is what makes DNA evidence so critical during a court case. It is difficult for any lawyer to question the credibility of proven science. And DNA has definitely proven to be direct indicators of guilt or innocence during a trial.

Casey Anthony Not Guilty DNA How DNA Set Her Free: Casey Anthony Verdict NOT GUILTY for MurderCollecting DNA Evidence

Did you know that it only takes a few cells to identify a suspect with relative certainty? DNA can be gathered from blood, skin, semen, hair, saliva, sweat, mucus or earwax. Did you know humans shed 30,000-40,000 skin cells a minute? Think about the sweat, blood or hair that can easily be left at a crime scene. Especially in the moments that unfortunately lead to murder.

This is why law enforcement officials must always ensure they handle evidence with the utmost care. The only way to discredit evidence is by proving that it has been contaminated.

The most common and major guidelines officials follow are:

  • To place evidence in paper bags, plastic bags produce moisture that can damage DNA.
  • DNA forensic evidence should also be kept somewhere cool to protect biological matter from heat.
  • Chain-of-custody must be followed to ensure that the DNA evidence hasn’t been tampered with on the way to the lab.

After officials did DNA analysis on the evidence collected from Caylee Anthony’s body it was found that there was no DNA evidence from Casey Anthony. The defense was even able to explain that the digital forensic evidence collected from the Anthony house computer was not enough to implicate Casey Anthony in the crime. And now Casey Anthony walks free.

How do you feel about this verdict?

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Despite DNA Evidence, Strauss-Kahn Likely to be Freed, New Rape Accusations Arise

Filed Under: In The News by dnatesting101 — Leave a comment
July 5, 2011

Dominique Strauss Kahn Freed 300x180 Despite DNA Evidence, Strauss Kahn Likely to be Freed, New Rape Accusations AriseDominique Strauss-Kahn, former chief of the International Monetary Fund, was in better spirits since recent holes in the credibility of his alleged rape victim has surfaced. But now another woman, Tristane Banon, is speaking out against DSK, claiming another attempted rape attack.

In May DNA tests were conducted on the evidence taken from the maid’s uniform and were matched to the DNA samples taken from Strauss-Kahn. Despite this link and how strongly this evidence helped the prosecution, the lies that are now circling the maid who filed the rape charges forms a lingering doubt that will definitely hurt the case.

The genetic link was explained by the defense as only proof that consensual intercourse occurred between Strauss-Kahn and the unidentified Guinean immigrant. Though the prosecution claims that there was enough physical evidence to support the rape claim, private investigators for the defense have found background information on the maid that negatively affect her credibility.

In filing for asylum with the United States, it was found that the maid had lied, stating she had been gang-raped in her home country. She admits that she was raped but not in the context that she had stated in 2004 to stay in America. Her credibility continued to diminish as investigators also found that after the alleged rape occurred she made a phone call to a prisoner in Arizona. The conversation was recorded and the alleged victim is heard stating something along the lines of, ‘Don’t worry, this guy has a lot of money. I know what I’m doing.’ The full article can be found on the New York Times.

Strauss Kahn Tristane Banon New 300x168 Despite DNA Evidence, Strauss Kahn Likely to be Freed, New Rape Accusations AriseStrauss-Kahn may not be in the clear just yet. New accusations from Parisian, Tristane Banon, accuse the French politician of another sexual assault. Banon who is now 32, claims that when she was 23 Strauss-Kahn violently attacked and attempted to rape her.

These new claims from Banon paint a picture of an older, bigger man trying to attack and take advantage of a helpless young girl who at the time was just as young as Strauss-Kahn’s own daughter. Banon claims that after she made that plea Strauss-Kahn responded with, “What does Camille [his daughter] have to do with it?”

“Eight years ago when I talked about bringing a complaint, everyone had me believe that it would lead nowhere. In these matters it is one person’s word against another,” added Banon.

Banon is right, rape cases are most often “he-said, she-said.” The lack of consistency in the credibility of the maid in New York will probably cause the prosecution to dismiss the case. Will Strauss-Kahn catch the same break in France with this new Banon case?

Many in France are already calling Banon a liar. Strauss-Kahn dismisses her allegations as, “imaginary.” Do you think too much time has gone by for DNA forensics to help Banon? Do you think she is lying?

As the case comes to a close in the United States, Strauss-Kahn still resides in house-arrest at a rented Manhattan townhouse with his wife.

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