The researchers from McGill, along with scientists from France's National Institute for Health and Medical Research, analysed DNA samples from almost 200 Vietnamese families who had a history of leprosy.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Gene fault increases leprosy risk

The team also hopes to take samples of mud from the bottom of the lake, to better understand the geological history of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and Earth's past climate.

MSN: Mission to drill into buried Antarctic lake hits a snag

Ted Waitt, the billionaire co-founder of Gateway, is helping to collect genetic samples from 100, 000 people to learn more about the last 150, 000 years of human history.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Ted Waitt, the billionaire co-founder of Gateway (nyse: GTW - news - people ), is helping to collect genetic samples from 100, 000 people to learn more about the last 150, 000 years of human history.

FORBES: Billionaire Science Projects