Two genes linked to common skin cancer

biologyblog — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:49:34 +0000

by Amanda B

Scientists at Iceland’s Decode Genetics have found two new genetic variations that may increase the risk of basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of Skin Cancer for people of European descent. The study showed the variations have nothing to do with skin color, but darker skin is known to play an important role in the protection against Skin Cancer. People with the two variations are found to be three times more likely to have basal cell carcinoma and twelve times more likely to have it if they have more than three variations. The disease is largely caused by exposure to ultraviolent rays of the sun and is easy to treat when detected early on. Unfortunately, the cancer can fight against treatment causing skin damage as well as bone and cartilage damage. More than 30,000 Europeans’ genes were analyzed to figure out what the impact of the genetic variation on chromosome one is. They found out it wasn’t related to either fair skin or pigmentation, and Karl Stefansson, chief executive of Decode’s, said that “Exposure to the sun has no direct impact on the genes, which add to the total risk of basal cell carcinoma,” In my opinion, this research sounds pretty confusing. It makes sense that people with a lot of variations in their genes have a higher chance of getting basal cell carcinoma. What confused me was that the study said exposure to sun had no direct impact on the genes, so I don’t understand how it can relate to people with basal cell carcinoma since the disease is mostly caused by exposure to sun. It makes me wonder though if the genetic variations relate to other forms of cancer as well. I believe there can be many different reasons for the cause and formation of basal cell carcinoma, and Iceland’s Decode Genetics should research other causes for the disease.

Source:

“Two More Genes Linked to Common Skin Cancer.” Yahoo! News. 12 Oct 2008. 14 Oct 2008.

Face Transplants

biologyblog — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:15:02 +0000

(courtesy of Mr. Wolsko)

French Isabelle Dinoire, 41, a few months after her surgery (l) and a year later (r)

The concept of organ transplantation is one that, at this point in medical science, is very well known. Look at the back of any driver’s license. Most of the time, when we think of organ transplantation, we think of internal organs: heart, lung, liver, and kidney being taken from one person and given to another. Yet, the transplantation of faces, as strange as this may sound, has moved from science fiction to science fact. In 2005, the first facial transplant (a partial one) was performed on Isabel Dinoire of France. She was mauled by her dog as she slept; her lips and entire the bottom of her face below her nose was torn away. Part of a suicide victim’s face was used to restore Isabal’s ability to eat and speak normally.

At the end of March 2008, the first full facial transplant was performed in France…ironically, by a team led by a doctor who said he would not perform full face transplants.

Should this surgery be continued? Tell us what you think? Is this an area medicine should be exploring?a

Related Web Sites

March 2008 – The first Full facial transplant! Full Facial Transplant Simulation
A short clip showing the possible hybrid face that might occur as a result fo a full facial transplant.
World’s Second Facial Tansplant - This article and accompanying pictures detail the world’s second facial transplant, done in response to a disfiguring bear attack.
A well documented look at facial transplantation.Good pictures, and good descriptions of facial transplantation.
Another article on face transplantation - This article has some very dramatic pictures. The first picture, I think, is the most dramatic one in terms of improving a disfigured face.

Biology in Action » Integumentary

Two genes linked to common skin cancer

Face Transplants