Previously, researchers who had identified this gene thought they were dealing with a molecule that regulated cell death and they named it "toso" – a reference to the Japanese medicinal sake often drunk on New Year's Day to symbolize a long life. But the toso name is inaccurate, as were many of the earlier descriptions of this gene's function, says Hiromi Kubagawa, M.D., a professor in the UAB Department of Pathology and the lead study author.

"The new study shows, and DNA analysis helped us to confirm, that the Fc mu receptor is made from the gene we describe," Kubagawa says. "This is a fundamental discovery that science has been waiting to answer for nearly 30 years."

To identify the true FCMR gene, the UAB researchers used chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells as a source of this gene, since such leukemia cells are known to over-express the Fc mu receptor. This enabled researchers to identify the FCMR gene more efficiently.

The potential novel agents that target and regulate FCMR function hold promise in fighting cancer, AIDS and autoimmune disorders, says Kubagawa. The genetic description and request for renaming the gene does not prove it has a direct role in any particular disease; however, it fills a crucial gap in understanding the science behind immune deficiencies and allergy diseases.

Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Does anyone know if the coolers that your meds come in can be recycled or ideas on where to search for  recycling ideas?  I've tried googling, with little success.   I called the mailorder vendor and they don't take them back - told me since meds are shipped in them, they can't reuse them.    I can see their point a little, but don't quite believe it as the meds are pretty well sealed up.   We checked with the local historical society to see if they could use them to store items donated, no luck either.     I don't want to just toss them in the garbage, but at one cooler per month, they are piling up.