DTN 017: A New Human Genome Project

This new genome map tries to capture all human genetic variation

“Today, researchers announced yet another version of the human genome map, which they say combines the complete DNA of 47 diverse individuals—Africans, Native Americans, and Asians, among other groups—into one giant genetic atlas that they say better captures the surprising genetic diversity of our species. The new map, called a “pangenome,” has been a decade in the making, and researchers say it will only get bigger, creating an expanding view of the genome as they add DNA from another 300 people from around the globe.” (MIT Tech Review)

Your Dog Is a Secret Weapon in the Fight Against Cancer

“Dogs are not subject to the same federal regulations that limit treatment options for humans; veterinarians are much freer to use existing drugs off-label against diseases for which there aren’t currently good treatments. All told, this makes for quicker and cheaper clinical trials. Such trials are part of the Cancer Moonshot initiative that US president Joe Biden relaunched last year and for which he has asked Congress to provide an additional $2.8 billion in the 2024 budget.” (WIRED)

Microsoft Makes World’s First Commercial Purchase of Fusion Power from Helion Energy

“Helion has been working on its fusion technology for over a decade. To date, it has built six working prototypes and it expects its seventh prototype to demonstrate the ability to produce energy in 2024. With this in mind, Helion’s plant is expected to be online by 2028 and has a power generation target of 50MW, or greater, with a one-year ramp-up period.” (TechCrunch)