Dr. Michele Carbone and a team of American and Turkish doctors have been granted a $100,000 award by the American Association for Caner Research to study the possibility of a genetic disposition for mesothelioma.  Their work in Cappadocia, Turkey reveals the strong likelihood of a gene that creates a disposition for mesothelioma.

The team recently published an article that stated "Initially linked solely to the exposure to a fibrous mineral, erionite, recent studies by scientists from Turkey and the United States have shown that erionite causes mesothelioma mostly in families that are genetically predisposed to mineral fibre carcinogenesis."

In accepting the grant, the team wrote, "They will apply the AACR INNOVATOR grant to their study of linkage analysis to identify the predisposing gene or genes for mesothelioma among this cultural group and map the genetic risk factors by genetic linkage studies. Findings from this research have implications far beyond the villages in Turkey as they can be applied to other geographic areas and communities worldwide with the goal of preventing this deadly form of cancer or finding new life-saving treatments."

The bill to provide $4.9 million for mesothelioma research in Minnesota has been enacted.  Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the document yesterday, finalizing the long process of approval.  The research, which is expected to take five years, aims to explain why dozens of miners from the Iron Range have been struck with mesothelioma.  The funds are coming from the state's Department of Commerce and will be divided among state universities over time.  Read the full article here.