Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Mammalian lignan production from flaxseed, studies in vitro and in humans

grantor: University of TorontoThe in vitro mammalian lignan production from processed foods containing flaxseed was quantified and found to be dependent on the percent flaxseed incorporated into the product. Additional grains and flaxseed variety also influenced the overall lignan production. In human subjects, a dose dependent response to raw flaxseed was observed in urinary lignan excretion. The processing of flaxseed as muffin or bread did not effect the quantity of lignan excretion. Plasma lignan levels peaked at 9 hours post flaxseed ingestion and were maintained up to 24 hours after intake. Plasma and urinary lignan levels increased significantly after eight days of flaxseed consumption versus the first day of intake and plasma lignan levels stabilized on the eighth day of intake. Urinary lignan levels, after one week of supplementation, showed a positive correlation with plasma lignan levels and with the in vitro lignan production. The results should provide guidance in the estimation of lignan intake and in designing studies on the physiological effects of lignans.M.Sc

Revisiting Gender And Religion

In this presidential address delivered at the 2014 annual meeting of the Religious Research Association, the topic of religion and gender is revisited by focusing on parallel histories of American Protestant ordained clergywomen and social science scholarship on religion, noting that in both cases we have witnessed extraordinary change, but not transformation