Researchers use genomic surveillance to identify distinct sexual networks for syphilis transmission in England, highlighting the presence of drug resistance. The study reveals information beyond standard epidemiological surveillance data, aiding public health strategies to break transmission chains.
A new study reveals that positively-framed genomics conversations can lead to cynicism and mistrust among underrepresented communities. Researchers suggest acknowledging and validating concerns before introducing scientific details for more effective engagement.
Researchers identified common bladder cancer-related mutations across species, including TP53, FAT1, and NRAS in cats, and ARID1A and KDM6A in dogs. This study provides insights into human MIBC and aids understanding of bladder cancer biology across species.
Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute mapped the multiple organ functions of the human yolk sac, revealing its role in producing key hormones and blood cells. The study provides novel insights into the earliest stages of immune cell development and has implications for understanding childhood diseases.
A new study revealed that people in the UK have facial skin with more DNA damaged from the sun than those in Singapore, leading to a higher risk of developing keratinocyte skin cancers. This is despite lower UV light exposure levels in the UK.
Researchers discovered two new cholera sublineages in a refugee population in southern Bangladesh, highlighting the importance of mass vaccination. The study used genomic surveillance to track the strains and showed that the vaccine intervention was crucial in preventing an epidemic.
Researchers have created a detailed human Heart Cell Atlas, providing new insights into the heart's conduction system and cell communication. The study also introduces a drug-repurposing tool, Drug2cell, which can predict drug targets and side effects.
Researchers developed a new tool, GASPACHO, to capture dynamic changes in gene expression along the innate immune response. They identified a gene variant affecting COVID-19 susceptibility, shedding light on molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis and identifying potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers discovered the K1 capsule dates back approximately 500 years and is found in 25% of current E. coli strains responsible for blood infections. Targeting this capsule can make bacteria vulnerable to the human immune system, offering a potential treatment option without antibiotics.
The Human Lung Cell Atlas provides insights into lung biology by combining data from nearly 40 studies, revealing rare cell types and cellular differences between healthy people. The study found common cell states between lung fibrosis, cancer, and COVID-19, offering new ways of understanding lung disease.
Scientists have mapped the complete trajectory of placental development, shedding light on why pregnancy disorders occur. The study reveals new information on cell communication and trophoblast development, providing a better understanding of the process.
Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute have established a system to report CRISPR activation effectiveness in stem cells, revealing key features influencing its efficiency. The study found that bivalent genes can be robustly activated by CRISPRa and that cell state and gene location impact its success.
Researchers developed a machine learning algorithm to predict the chances of successful prime editing gene edits, assessing thousands of DNA sequences and identifying key factors such as sequence length and DNA repair mechanisms. The tool promises to speed up efforts to bring prime editing into the clinic.
Researchers have found that blood cancer tumours use signals to attract certain types of immune cells and instruct them not to attack. High concentrations of these cell clusters predict treatment failure, but a different microenvironment is associated with treatment success.
A new lung cell atlas has revealed 11 new cell types and a previously unknown immune niche in the airways, which could help prevent or treat respiratory diseases. The atlas provides detailed insights into how cells interact and communicate with each other in healthy lungs.
A spatial cell atlas of the developing human lung describes 144 cell types and their interactions, uncovering new links between developmental cells and lung cancer. The atlas provides a unique resource for understanding healthy lung development and investigating disease origins.
Researchers used environmental DNA footprints to analyze insect biodiversity in four apple orchards, uncovering the importance of wild non-bee pollinators and multiple pest species. The study suggests that analyzing genetic footprints can provide a more comprehensive view of insect diversity, leading to new management strategies.
New research reveals that healthy newborn babies' gut bacteria do not contain multi-drug resistant strains of common hospital pathogens. The study found multiple synergistic relationships between different bacteria, which could potentially be harnessed to outcompete resistant or harmful bacterial strains.
Researchers have developed a tool that maps breast cancer growth and highlights the role of surrounding cells in controlling disease spread. The new technology provides insights into cancer evolution, genetics, and environmental interactions.
Researchers developed a gene expression model to predict clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis, COVID-19, and influenza. The 19-gene model was able to accurately predict poor outcomes, offering a promising approach for personalized treatments.
A new study found that the detection of resistant variants is only possible using population deep sequencing, suggesting treatment with antibiotics may contribute to their presence. The research highlights the potential for PDS to improve understanding of pathogens like Streptococcus pneumoniae and inform treatment strategies.
A recent study has identified genetic variants in 10 genes that elevate a person's susceptibility to Crohn's disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease. The research highlights the causal role of mesenchymal cells in intestinal inflammation, shedding light on the genetic roots of inflammatory bowel disease.
A genomic surveillance study has identified a 'shapeshifting' strain, GPSC10, which is resistant to multiple antibiotics and can express 17 different serotypes. This study highlights the importance of genomic surveillance in informing vaccine design and tracking the emergence of new strains.
Researchers have created a comprehensive map of the human immune system, showing how immune cells communicate with each other. The map could lead to new immunotherapies for treating cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions.
Researchers discovered how genetic mutations hijack blood cell production over a lifetime, leading to age-related diseases. The study tracked nearly 700 blood cell clones from 385 individuals aged over 55, revealing how age-dependent clonal behaviors mirror the frequency of emergence of different types of blood cancers.
Researchers discovered that genetic mutations accumulated slowly over a lifetime lead to a shift in blood cell populations after 70, causing reduced diversity and impaired function. This finding explains the sudden deterioration in organ function after aging.
Researchers identified 127 genes associated with immune diseases, providing new insights into the sequence and timing of gene activity during T cell activation. The study used single-cell RNA sequencing technology to map the timing of gene activity for each cell subtype in the T cell activation process.
Two new papers from the Human Cell Atlas have created open-access atlases of immune cells in the human body, mapping their characteristics across nine organs during development and 16 adult tissues. The studies reveal new types of immune cells and provide a framework for predicting cell type identity and immunological memory.
Researchers created multi-tissue cell atlases to transform our knowledge of biology, infection, and disease. The studies revealed novel cell functions, immune cell types, and disease genes across the human body.
Researchers linked high mutation rates in children to errors in the biological father's sperm cells. Eight of 12 families with hypermutation were traced back to their fathers' chemotherapy treatments. These cases highlight the need for further investigation and potential measures, such as sperm freezing before treatment.
Researchers found that different animal species, including humans, mice, giraffes, and tigers, accumulate similar numbers of genetic changes over their lifetime. The study supports the theory that somatic mutations play a role in ageing, with longer lifespan species experiencing slower mutation rates.
A new study found that common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) affects only one identical twin due to alterations in immune cell-cell communication and epigenome. Researchers identified defects in B cells and other immune cell types, as well as massive epigenetic problems with DNA methylation.
Researchers found distinct cellular signals in infant B-ALL, with a notable contribution from early lymphocyte precursors. The closer an ELP cell was to becoming a mature B cell, the better the outcome for the patient. This study provides promising drug targets and raises hopes for effective treatments for infant B-ALL.
Researchers developed a new tool called cell2location to visualize cell function and spatial information. The tool combines single-cell sequencing data with spatial transcriptomic data, enabling the identification of rare cell subtypes and their precise locations within tissues.
The study analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance data from England, identifying key variants like Alpha and Delta that changed the course of the epidemic. These variants led to significant growth advantages, with Delta's growth rate being 59% higher than Alpha's, more than doubling the average growth rate of the virus.
Researchers identified five genes mutated in people with liver disease, affecting insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism. These mutations reduce the liver's ability to respond to dietary sugars and fats.
Researchers discovered that mutant clones in the normal human oesophagus outcompete and eliminate emerging tumours, preventing them from growing. This study sheds light on how cancer develops and could lead to new ways to prevent early tumours from becoming cancers.
A new large-scale study created the most comprehensive Cell Atlas of the Gut to date, revealing that Crohn’s disease may be caused by activation of developmental pathways. The detailed maps will help explain how the gut forms and functions, transforming research into intestinal diseases.
A new study published in Genome Biology found that the ability of gut bacteria to produce spores is associated with their adaptation to humans. Bacteria that can produce spores have larger genomes and are less abundant in the gut, while those that cannot have smaller genomes and are more adapted to human hosts.
Researchers have identified a promising therapeutic target, METTL1, to treat aggressive cancers by inhibiting an RNA-modifying protein. The study found that targeting METTL1 effectively destroys cancer cells in laboratory models and mice while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
The release of the European water vole genome provides a comprehensive set of genetic tools to support conservation efforts, helping to understand genetic diversity and structure of water vole populations. The reference genome will aid in reintroduction efforts and inform management strategies for sustainable species survival.
The study confirms that childhood cancers originate from specific developmental cells and exhibit unique 'cellular signals' that can be used to classify them. This method holds promise as a tool for diagnosing patients with rare cancers, including one patient's cryptic kidney cancer identified through cellular signal analysis.
Scientists found that platinum chemotherapy can cause genetic changes in children with neuroblastoma, leading to increased risk of secondary leukemia. The study's findings could lead to identifying high-risk children and tailoring their treatment plans to reduce this risk.
Researchers have discovered that naturally occurring variants in yeast can suppress harmful mutations, potentially contributing to genetic diseases like cancer. The study found that 26% of harmful mutations were suppressed by a single 'rescue mutation' in wild yeast strains.
Scientists have identified a promising vaccine target for animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT), a disease causing significant economic impact on livestock in Africa and South America. The vaccine candidate showed long-lasting protection against infection in mice, offering a potential solution to the devastating effects of AAT.
Researchers tracked antibiotic resistance in E. coli over 16 years, finding rapid increase in multi-drug resistant strains. The study highlights the importance of tracking resistant bacteria to prevent their spread and improve treatment options.
A new study has identified a genetic mutation in the CUX1 gene that contributes to the development of acute myeloid leukaemia. Targeting this pathway could lead to new targeted therapies for patients with poor-prognosis AML, which affects people of all ages and often requires intensive chemotherapy.
Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have developed a new method called nanorate sequencing (NanoSeq) that enables accurate study of genetic changes in human tissues. The study challenges the idea that cell division is the main mechanism driving genetic changes and opens up new avenues for research into cancer and ageing.
Researchers found raised levels of protective B cells and helper T-cells in asymptomatic people, while those with serious symptoms lost these cells but gained inflammatory ones. The study could help explain lung inflammation and blood clotting symptoms and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 can infect specific cells in the salivary gland, which could play a role in transmission to the lungs or digestive system via saliva. The study found live cells from the mouth were present in saliva and the virus replicated within these infected cells.