Washington U. scientists help unravel corn genome

By Georgina Gustin
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

A team of scientists led by researchers at The Genome Center at Washington University have sequenced the entire gene map of corn, helping unravel the basic biology of the nation's largest crop and providing information that could lead to key developments for corn growers.

The $29.5 million project, funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Departments of agriculture and energy, launched in 2005. The corn genome is similar in size to the human genome and has repetitive characteristics that make it especially difficult to decode. But the project was completed in the scheduled three years and within budget, researchers said.

READ MORE

Dr. Garza Speaking on H1N1 Tonight

2009-2010 PhD Stipends in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences

With so many schools to chose from, it can be difficult to navigate through all of the stipends and benefits. Wendy Chao, a Harvard graduate, has put together a comprehensive list of PhD programs with adjusted stipends* and fringe benefits** (which are taken into consideration for tie breaks).

This is a great resource for those applying to graduate school.

Check out Wendy's list here!

*Adjusted to cost-of-living in New York City (home to the highest stipend) using the cost-of-living calculator at bestplaces.net/col. These numbers are by no means definitive, and should be used for general reference purposes only. Actual costs-of-living will obviously vary depending on multiple factors - including how lavish your lifestyle is, or even which calculator you use.

**Additional monetary funding based on available information. Tuition, insurance premiums, and fees are generally waived; only exceptions are noted (if information is available).

$80 million in stimulus grants awarded to WUSTL

Washington University has been awarded nearly $80 million in funding from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to support research across a broad range of projects, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, renewable energy, diabetes and climate change.

As of Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year, University faculty had received 207 awards. Some $73 million came from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), ranking Washington University among the top 10 academic institutions in NIH stimulus funds. Other awards were received from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy.

"The research funding we have been able to attract to Washington University will lead to new discoveries that will have direct benefit to people throughout our region and, indeed, across the world," Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said. "Our successful competition for this funding is in large measure due to our many talented and experienced faculty who have distinguished themselves as world-class researchers. I am proud of the extra effort that many in our community made to bring this funding to St. Louis."

In all, 175 faculty members from the School of Medicine, Arts & Sciences, School of Engineering & Applied Science and the George Warren Brown School of Social Work received awards.

The largest chunk — $10 million — went to the Genome Center for a project to generate comprehensive genetic maps of mutations that underlie 20 different types of cancer. The researchers will sequence the DNA of cancer patients and compare it with DNA from tumor samples of the same patients to identify genetic changes that may be important to cancer. Over time, the project is expected to lead to new ways to diagnose, treat or even prevent cancer.

READ MORE

by Caroline Arbanas