US postdoc fabricates DNA data

A former postdoc at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) falsified and fabricated DNA sequences and methylation status in unpublished data about a tumor suppressor gene, a UNMC investigation, in conjunction with the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), has found. From 2002-2005, Lois Bartsch worked in James Shull's laboratory at UNMC, researching the tumor suppressor gene, p16Cdkn2a, in rats. The investigation concluded that Bartsch altered the nucleotide sequence of the p16Cdkn2a promoter region in GenBank, in a National Cancer Institute grant application, and a poster presentation. The investigation also found that Bartsch's grant application contained falsified data on the methylation status of rat p16Cdkn2a, and a fabricated claim of a polymorphism in the human homologue. No data was ever published in any peer-reviewed journal. A two-year inquiry was initiated after Shull asked the university to investigate around 2005, David Crouse, UNMC's associate vice-chancellor for academic...