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About DNA Science Blog
Geneticist Ricki Lewis blogs from the cutting edge of genomics, including genetic testing, stem cells, gene therapy and more.
Ricki Lewis is a science writer with a PhD in genetics. The author of several textbooks and thousands of articles in scientific, medical, and consumer publications, Ricki's first narrative nonfiction book, "The Forever Fix: Gene Therapy and the Boy Who Saved It," was published by St. Martin's Press in March 2012. In addition to writing, Ricki provides genetic counseling for parents-to-be at CareNet Medical Group in Schenectady, NY and teaches "Genethics" an online course for master's degree students at the Alden March Bioethics Institute of Albany Medical Center.
Subscribe to this Blog- Surveying the Genomic Landscape of Modern Mammals January 29, 2015A study published today in Cell compares regulatory DNA sequences among 20 species of modern mammals, showcasing how mammalian genomes have found new uses for ancient genes. The evolution of mammals has been ongoing for about 180 million years, with a … Continue reading »The post Surveying the Genomic Landscape of Modern Mammals appeared first on DNA Scienc […]Ricki Lewis, PhD
- From GMOs to GROs: Will Life Find a Way? January 22, 2015A pair of papers in this week’s Nature introduces GROs — “genomically recoded organisms” — whose altered genetic code makes them require a synthetic amino acid to survive. Although this new type of biocontainment indeed keeps microorganisms from spreading to … Continue reading »The post From GMOs to GROs: Will Life Find a Way? appeared first on DNA Science B […]Ricki Lewis, PhD
- New Miracle Drugs: What Would You Pay? January 8, 2015Levi Collazo, a biology major at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, has cystic fibrosis (CF). “In the first photo, I was making fun of my own weight. I’ve always used humor as a defense mechanism. I weighed 110 pounds. I’m 5’10″. … Continue reading »The post New Miracle Drugs: What Would You Pay? appeared first on DNA Science Blog.Ricki Lewis, PhD
- Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease (APBD): A Diagnostic Challenge January 1, 2015When Susan Coddon, a member of the board of directors of the Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease Research Foundation (APBDRF) e-mailed me a few weeks ago, I was intrigued. “Polyglucosan” didn’t ring any bells. Her husband learned he had the underrecognized condition … Continue reading »The post Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease (APBD): A Diagnostic Challenge appea […]Ricki Lewis, PhD
- Why I Dislike “Best of” Lists and Eman Update from Liberia December 25, 2014I’m not a big fan of end-of-the-year lists, such as the “top-10-scientific-achievements of the year” and the “top-10-genetics-stories-for-2014.” Science shouldn’t be a popularity contest. I wouldn’t suggest such a list for DNA Science, because: 1. I can’t possibly know about all … Continue reading »The post Why I Dislike “Best of” Lists and Eman Update from […]Ricki Lewis, PhD
- How to Use the Genetic Code for Passwords December 18, 2014Need a password for a new device or service? Try the genetic code. Messenger RNA triplets and the amino acids they specify provide nearly endless password possibilities. And it’s timely — the People’s Choice for Science magazine’s Breakthrough of … Continue reading »The post How to Use the Genetic Code for Passwords appeared first on DNA Science Blog.Ricki Lewis, PhD
- Sequencing Kids’ Exomes: More Good News December 11, 2014“Exome” hasn’t yet entered the normal lexicon, like genome has. Yesterday, for example, I wore my clinical exome T-shirt from Ambry Genetics to Zumba class, and a woman came up and peered at my chest. “What the heck is that? What … Continue reading »The post Sequencing Kids’ Exomes: More Good News appeared first on DNA Science Blog.Ricki Lewis, PhD
- James Watson On “Genetic Losers” December 4, 2014I’m thrilled that Christie’s decided to auction off James Watson’s Nobel prize on a Thursday, DNA Science posting day! I’ve got some great quotes to add to the chatter. Dr. Watson shared the Nobel prize with Francis Crick in 1962 for … Continue reading »The post James Watson On “Genetic Losers” appeared first on DNA Science Blog.Ricki Lewis, PhD
- Nailing a New Niche of Stem Cells November 27, 2014If my mother-in-law hadn’t just yanked off a toenail, I might not have noticed the news release from researchers at the University of Southern California’s Stem Cell Regenerative Medicine Initiative. Their elegant experiments in mice reveal the heretofore unknown collection … Continue reading »The post Nailing a New Niche of Stem Cells appeared first on DNA […]Ricki Lewis, PhD
- When Mutation Counters Infection: From Sickle Cell to Ebola November 13, 2014While pharmaceutical companies focus on drug discovery for Ebola virus disease, a powerful clue is coming from a rare “Jewish genetic disease” that destroys the brain. People with Niemann-Pick C1 disease can’t get Ebola, adding to the list of disease … Continue reading »The post When Mutation Counters Infection: From Sickle Cell to Ebola appeared first on D […]Ricki Lewis, PhD
- Surveying the Genomic Landscape of Modern Mammals January 29, 2015