The term "genome" is oft-heard but seldom defined, and indeed has more than one meaning. Little wonder, then, that discussions about genome sequences and comparisons thereof can leave otherwise interested audiences more frustrated than enlightened. "What is a genome?" and "whose genome was sequenced?" are legitimate questions, and what follows is an attempt at clarification that is, by necessity, as much philosophical as scientific.

Definition #1: In a broad sense, a genome can be considered as the collective set of genes, non-coding DNA sequences, and all their variants that are located within the chromosomes of members of a given species.

PRINCETON, New Jersey, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

- As a Result of its Success in the North West/South West and Wales Regional Tender, the Company Has Begun Providing the Police with Forensic Services That Have a Potential Value of US$10 Million Annually -

Orchid Cellmark Inc. (Nasdaq: ORCH), a leading worldwide provider of identity DNA testing services, today announced that it has signed contracts and started DNA testing and other forensic services work with a number of U.K. police forces. This work was awarded to Orchid Cellmark under the new North West/South West and Wales regional forensic tender after a rigorous and competitive bidding process.

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Few spices are as treasured and avoided! A clove of garlic is both tasty and healthy, but after you eat it, don't be surprised if even your friends start to give you a wide berth. Quite a few people find the smell of garlic disgusting, and will probably keep their distance. In entertaining weekly episodes our Chemical Reporter answers questions of our Podcast listeners on Chemistry in our everyday life.

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CALGARY, Canada, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

- Program Will Focus on Evaluation of Botaneco's Technology to add Functionality to Echium oil

Here we go again, just this morning the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill that directs teachers to engage in “critical analysis” of evolution in public schools. The bill’s chief sponsor, Republican Alan Hays of Umatilla, says that evolution “has holes in it,” and that “no one has any record -- no fossils have been found.” That will come as a big shock to the thousands of natural history museums around the world, displaying hundreds of thousands of fossils.

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck Serono (NYSE: SRA), a division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and its partner ZymoGenetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGEN) today announced the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of atacicept in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).

"This trial with atacicept underlines Merck Serono's long-term commitment to patients with multiple sclerosis," said Dr. Anton Hoos, Head of Global Development at Merck Serono. "Atacicept has the potential to complement existing MS drugs by offering a novel mode of action and convenient administration."

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

- TAQA's Growth Strategy Delivers Outstanding Q1'08 Results With AED 4 Billion Revenues and AED 398 Million Profit; Basic Earnings per Share Grows 525% to 9.6 Fils for the Quarter

The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC, a publicly listed company on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market (ADSM: TAQA), today reported financial results for the first quarter 2008.

HATBORO, Pennsylvania, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

The Sports Network, the nation's premiere real-time sports wire service, has launched a new site design whose technology and content expansion has received plaudits from within the industry. "It is equivalent to a standing ovation for our technology and content," stated Amanda Manero, spokesperson for the organization, "and our users are not only delighted, flooding us with accolades, but our branded clients have expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for our bringing their offerings in the world of sports to the next level.

HATBORO, Pennsylvania, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

The Sports Network, the nation's premiere real-time sports wire service and content source, was victimized this past week following an orchestrated attack by hackers apparently located in China. They were, as has been reported internationally, seeking retribution and revenge foisted upon their primary target, CNN, for comments made on air concerning the China/Tibet political situation, the Chinese governmental and public response to same.

ZURICH, Switzerland, April 30 /PRNewswire/ --

Corum Group Ltd., the global leader in M&A services to sellers of software and information technology companies, announces their increased presence in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland with the appointment of John Melotte as regional director.