Google vs PubMed and genes of autism, alcoholism and diabetes March 19, 2007

Here are the best writings, the most interesting gene related announcements from the last days:

• Researchers Identify Autism Gene (PhysOrg.com)

Yale School of Medicine autism experts Fred Volkmar, M.D. and Ami Klin are part of a global research consortium from 19 countries to identify a gene and a region of a chromosome that may lead to autism in children… The researchers found neurexin 1, part of a family of genes that plays a role with the neurotransmitter glutamate, which has been previously linked to autism. They also found a gene on chromosome 11 that may be linked to autism susceptibility. That gene has not yet been pinpointed.

• Computer Key Unlocks Heritable Disorders (MedicalNewsToday)

Danish and Belgian researchers have found a computer key that maps genes underlying heritable disorders, such as breast cancer, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. These results will possibly ease the discovery of new medicines and improve treatment in various disorders. The results show that genes important for the development of diseases like Alzheimer’s follow the same cellular rules as genes involved in fundamentally different disorders, such as heart disorders, multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, and Type 2 diabetes.

• Seeking the Connections: Alcoholism and Our Genes (ScientificAmerican.com)

The tendency to become dependent on alcohol has long been known to run in families, which for some only added to the social stigma attached to this complicated condition. But to scientists, that apparent heritability suggested that some genetic component underlying vulnerability to alcohol problems was being transmitted from generation to generation.

• Genetics and diabetes (USAWeekend.com)

Research teams working in Canada, Great Britain and France have been looking at the DNA of 700 people with diabetes and 700 people without it. Using computer technology, they were able to scan significant amounts of DNA. The computer then identified differences in the genetics of those folks with diabetes compared with the healthy group of people. The study appeared in the journal Nature last month.

• Google in medicine: Is it all that? (Notes from Dr. RW)

So which search engine is best? It depends on your objectives. Google doesn’t offer the precision of Pub Med but there are advantages, such as ability to search blogs, Wikis and emedicine. The two search engines are best viewed as complementary.