Summer 2010
Schwartz Lab Summer Student Program Ends Another Successful Year!
The 2010 Schwartz Lab summer student program came to a successful conclusion in August with presentations by six students in front of lab staff, mentors and family members. Each student worked with one or more senior members of the lab on an individual project and the 15 minute PowerPoint presentations represented a culmination of their findings and experience throughout the summer.
Lung Genomics Research Consortium Launches Website
The Lung Genomics Research Consortium (LGRC) today launched its public awareness website, which highlights the Consortium's recently established research initiative to study lung disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD), at the genetic and genomic levels. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in Americans, while ILD, which includes pulmonary fibrosis, kills approximately 400,000 Americans each year. Read full press release.
Genetic Ancestry Data Improve Diagnosis in Asthma and Lung Disease
Americans with lung disease may face a far greater level of lung damage than either they or their doctor suspect, depending on their individual genetic heritage, according to research published online July 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research implications range from diagnosing the severity of asthma, to disability decisions or eligibility for lung transplants, researchers say. Read full press release.
The Center for Genes, Environment & Health Announces the Formation of a Genetics Core
The Center for Genes, Environment & Health has established a Genetics Core with the aim of providing basic services to the National Jewish Health community at affordable rates. Core services, which include:
- Capillary sequencing
- Bioanalyzer RNA quality check
- Autopure DNA extraction
- Agilent Microarrays
- Illumina Veracode Genotyping Assays
These services will be available starting August 1, 2010. Individuals interested in taking advantage of these services should contact Daniel LaFlamme, PhD, at 303-270-2649 regarding availability and pricing.
The Center for Genes, Environment and Health Welcomes a New Senior Researcher
Daniel LaFlamme, PhD, joined the Center for Genes, Environment & Health as a Senior Researcher on May 17, 2010. Dr. LaFlamme brings extensive technical expertise in instrumentation maintenance and troubleshooting that will greatly enhance the Center's research agenda. In addition, he has a strong background in process-oriented management that will allow him to oversee all of the genotyping and gene expression work in the Center as well as provide direction for the newly created Genetics Core. Dr. LaFlamme earned his PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Maine.
Researchers Gather in Colorado for Genetics of Pulmonary Fibrosis Advisory Committee Meeting
Principal Investigators and research staff from across the United States and England gathered at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO, for a two-day meeting of the Genetics of Pulmonary Fibrosis Advisory Committee. The primary goal of the meeting was to obtain advice from a selected group of experts in their respective fields of genetics on potential future directions for several collaborative, NIH-funded pulmonary fibrosis genetics research projects spearheaded by National Jewish Health and Vanderbilt University. The meeting also provided a forum in which participants could further develop professional relationships to promote scientific growth in pulmonary fibrosis research. The meeting consisted of presentations for each project which included an overview of the project, progress to date and current plans for the future, followed by group discussion and comment by the Advisory members. Set against the backdrop of beautiful Red Rocks, the meeting was roundly considered a success.
