March 10, 2017

Church Describes Medical Potential of Gene Editing
By Dana Talesnik
Recently, genome sequencing and gene-editing techniques have become faster, more accurate and cheaper thanks to the innovations of investigators such as Dr. George Church, who recently delivered the Marshall Nirenberg Lecture in Masur Auditorium.

Faster Sequencing, More Patients Boost Autism Research
By Rich McManus
Complex diseases of brain and behavior such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will not yield soon to simple solutions, said Dr. Matthew State, chair of the department of psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine. He spoke recently in Lipsett Amphitheater.
Business Model of Diversity, Inclusion Promoted
By Carla Garnett
The idea of diversity has inspired a lot of metaphors for appreciating our differences: Distinctive flavors infusing a melting pot. Melodious voices singing in harmony. Multiple threads forming a tapestry. These days, though, the workforce marketplace has shifted toward a business view of diversity: How can we use it to achieve our best bottom line?
‘Persisters’ May Hold Clues to New Antibiotics
It was hard, on Feb. 15 at the Wednesday Afternoon Lecture, to determine what was more unexpected: A man named Dr. Kim Lewis, who spoke with a Russian accent (he grew up in Moscow); his discussion of “the paradox of chronic infections—antibiotics are ineffective against antibiotic-susceptible pathogens”; or a key realization that is enabling Lewis and his colleagues at Northeastern University’s Antimicrobial Discovery Center to find new antibiotics.