Cancer, asthma and DNA.

The article focuses on the two California-based research companies, Sangamo BioScience Inc. in Richmond and Rigel Corp. in Sunnyvale, which are attempting to understand the functions of genes. They are deciphering gene function with the tiniest possible computers: living cells. This "nanobiology" approach is yielding clues that could lead to valuable drugs. Sangamo was founded by industry veteran Edward Lanphier, who wanted to develop gene-based therapies that didn't infringe on the patents that protected genes whose function was already known. Sangamo studies such a "mystery gene" by putting tailor-made zinc fingers into different cell types or into animals.