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.
A new CRISPR study has identified the LRRN4CL gene as playing a key role in the spread of certain cancers to the lungs. The research found that over-expression of this gene makes melanoma cells more likely to metastasize to the lungs, and may also be linked to poorer patient outcomes.
The study confirms that the placenta is a 'dumping ground' for genetic defects, harboring mutations similar to childhood cancers. It tolerates major genetic flaws, unlike other human organs.
A new study has mapped the full evolutionary journey of the bacterium Enterococcus faecalis, a common cause of antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals. The research shows that antibiotic resistant strains developed earlier than previously thought, influenced by agricultural and early medical practices.
Researchers have discovered that malignant rhabdoid tumour (MRT) arises from developmental cells in the neural crest whose maturation is blocked by a genetic defect. The study identified two drugs that could be used to overcome this block and resume normal development, bringing hope for new treatments.
A new software tool called scfind allows researchers to quickly query datasets generated from single-cell sequencing, identifying which cell types any combination of genes are active in. This enables swift analysis of multiple datasets containing millions of cells by a wide range of users.
The world's largest resource of genomic data on malaria parasite evolution and drug resistance has been released, providing benchmark data for new drugs and vaccines. The dataset includes over 7,000 malaria parasites from 28 endemic countries, offering insights into the evolutionary processes of Plasmodium falciparum.
Researchers identified over 140,000 viral species in the human gut, with more than half never seen before. The discovery opens up new research avenues to understand how viruses living in the gut affect human health and disease.
Researchers discovered that all neuroblastomas arise from a single type of embryonic cell called sympathoblasts, making them an attractive drug target. This finding reveals novel treatment options for this rare and aggressive childhood cancer.
Researchers create detailed map of skin cells, revealing that cellular processes from development are re-activated in cells from patients with inflammatory skin disease. This study offers potential new drug targets for treating eczema and psoriasis.
Researchers have developed a cell atlas of Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm that poses a risk to hundreds of millions of people each year. The study identified 13 distinct cell types within the worm at the start of its development, including new cell types in the nervous and muscular systems.
Researchers identified 28 new genes associated with developmental disorders, including 500 families, using the largest genetic resource available. The study estimates that another 1,000 genes linked to these conditions remain undiscovered.
A new study has created a comprehensive map of how immune cells learn to fight infections and preserve memories of these encounters. The findings, published in Nature Immunology, could help scientists develop new vaccines and therapies for various diseases by targeting specific immune cells.
A study reveals that re-emergence of yaws, a neglected tropical disease, was caused by at least three distinct lineages of bacteria. The researchers recommend employing strategies to maximize population coverage and intensive post-MDA surveillance to control the spread of new infections.
Researchers mapped genomic evolution of Vibrio cholerae bacteria in Argentina during the 1991-1998 cholera outbreak. The study distinguished between pandemic and non-pandemic lineages, influencing health policy and national alert surveillance system.
Researchers found high variability in DNA changes between individuals, suggesting a wide range of factors influence bladder cancer development. A new mutational signature linked to smoking was also identified, shedding light on why tobacco is the single greatest risk factor for bladder cancer.
Scientists created a comprehensive atlas of healthy human heart cells, revealing unique cell types and communication networks. The map will aid in understanding cardiovascular disease and developing personalized therapies.
Researchers discovered three primary routes of transmission for antibiotic resistance genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae via plasmids. Long-read sequencing technology enabled complete plasmid sequence analysis, revealing the importance of including plasmids when tracking antibiotic resistance.
A global survey reveals a lack of public trust in how genetic data is shared, hindering genomic research. Less than half of respondents would be happy to share their genetic information for more than one purpose.
Red blood cells in people with Dantu blood variant have a higher surface tension that prevents Plasmodium falciparum from invading. This natural process could be imitated to prevent or reduce malaria infection.
Two large-scale genetic studies identified over 7,000 regions of the human genome influencing blood cell characteristics. These findings bring us closer to using genetic scoring in clinics to predict personal risk of developing blood disorders.
Researchers discovered new types of mosquito immune cells and molecular pathways implicated in controlling the malaria parasite. A rare cell type called a Megacyte was found to have high levels of a key molecule needed for immune priming, which could limit malaria transmission.
Researchers discovered that tumour T cells produce immunosuppressive steroids to evade the immune system, reducing tumour growth in mice. Preventing steroid production using a key gene or drug significantly slowed tumour formation and progression, suggesting new drug targets for cancer immunotherapy.
Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have engineered a new mouse model to study glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain cancer. The study identified over 200 genes that contribute to the development and growth of glioblastoma, providing potential new drug targets.
Researchers found that chronic inflammation alters cell evolution in the colon, leading to a higher mutation rate and increased risk of colorectal cancers. The study also uncovered evidence of positive selection of mutations in genes associated with immune system regulation and cancer susceptibility.
Scientists have discovered over 120,000 novel human genetic variations affecting immune response, disease susceptibility, and digestion in diverse worldwide populations. These variations were inherited from Denisovan ancestors and include medically-important genes that can affect treatment efficacy.
The study mapped bacterial resistance to last-line antibiotics in the Philippines, enabling better tracking of resistant bacteria and controlling outbreaks. The genomic capacity has enhanced national infection control efforts and improved understanding of antimicrobial resistance at local, national, and international scales.
A new study reveals that most cultural changes in the Near East had no lasting effect on the genetics of local people in Beirut. Only three periods - Iron Age, Alexander the Great's arrival, and Ottoman Empire domination - left a lasting genetic impact.
A new computational method, Souporcell, can accurately separate single-cell RNA sequencing data from multiple individuals without prior genome information. This enables researchers to study the effects of genetic variants on gene expression during infection or response to drugs.
Researchers have identified goblet and ciliated cells in the nose as likely initial infection points for COVID-19 coronavirus. The study found that these cells express key entry proteins used by the virus to infect cells, making them highly accessible to the virus.
A study has identified frequent cancer-driving mutations in healthy human endometrium, suggesting that these events may occur early in life. These mutant stem cells can accumulate further driver mutations over time, leading to invasive cancer years or even decades later.
Researchers discovered that T cells respond differently to immune signals based on their 'training', revealing a continuum of memory experience. This spectrum affects how fast a cell can respond and what signals it can respond to.
A comprehensive analysis of 929 human genomes provides unprecedented detail of our genetic history, highlighting the complexity of human evolution and its impact on disease susceptibility. The study identifies millions of previously unknown DNA variations that may influence susceptibility to different diseases.
Scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute discovered that astrocytes in mouse brains are organized into distinct layers with molecular forms depending on their location, redefining brain structure. This knowledge will have implications for understanding neurological disorders like Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and autism.
A first cell atlas of the human thymus gland has been mapped, revealing new cell types and signals that guide immune cell development. The atlas could help engineer improved therapeutic T cells to attack cancer, offering a potential breakthrough in immunotherapy.
Researchers have created the first detailed cell atlas of the human colon's immune cells and gut bacteria, showing changes in the microbiome and immune cells throughout the colon. This study will enable new research into diseases affecting specific regions of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer.
A recent study cataloged genetic fingerprints of DNA-damaging processes driving cancer development, providing clues on how each cancer developed. The research will help understand cancer causes, inform prevention strategies, and signpost new directions for diagnosis and treatments.
New research suggests that tailor-made vaccines can significantly reduce rates of serious bacterial diseases like pneumonia and sepsis. By analyzing genomic data and modeling bacterial evolution, scientists identified optimal vaccine designs for specific populations, which could lead to a 50% reduction in disease rates.
The study validated the reproducibility of CRISPR-Cas9 functional genetic screens, creating the largest genetic screen resource for cancer research. This combined dataset will help narrow down the list of targets for the next generation of cancer treatments, speeding up the discovery and development of new drugs.
Researchers identified patches of normal-looking kidney tissue carrying DNA changes that cause Wilms' tumour, promising improved treatment and prevention strategies. The study found epigenetic changes associated with cancer in normal kidney tissue, enabling cells to grow rapidly into pre-cancerous patches.
A study by the Wellcome Sanger Institute and University of Amsterdam found that measles virus deletes part of the immune system's memory, removing immunity to other infections in humans and ferrets. This 'immunological amnesia' increases vulnerability to secondary diseases like flu, diphtheria, and tuberculosis.
A new study found that DNA mutations common in liver cancer are also present in healthy livers, accumulating over time to lead to chronic liver disease. The study provides unprecedented detail on how these genetic changes develop and offers a potential way to predict individual risk of liver cancer.
Researchers found complex patterns of mutations, including changes in cancer genes, and a huge variability of mutations in healthy colon tissue. The study provides insight into how a healthy cell becomes a cancerous one and identifies new mutational signatures in normal colon cells.
Researchers reconstructed a 50,000-year-old gene sequence that enabled the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum to infect human red blood cells. The study reveals how the parasite jumped from gorillas to humans and provides a plausible molecular explanation for the jump.
Researchers discovered that jumping genes cause genetic changes in some patients with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental diseases. Diagnoses were achieved for three previously undiagnosed children, helping their families access support and understand disease risks.
Researchers created a comprehensive atlas of human liver cell changes during fetal development, revealing how stem cells support high oxygen demand. The study improves our understanding of normal development and will aid efforts to tackle diseases like leukemia and immune disorders.
Researchers have created the first cell atlas of the human kidney's immune system, charting the communities of immune cells in different zones. The atlas shows how the immune system develops during early life and strengthens after birth, with implications for tackling kidney disease and transplant rejection.
Researchers identified links between genetic variants and early activation of memory T cells, suggesting problems with regulating this process could lead to immune diseases. The study's findings could help narrow down the search for molecular pathways involved in immune diseases.