Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Researchers identify novel genetic variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease

A new study has identified 17 significant genetic variants linked to Alzheimer's disease in five genomic regions. The findings highlight the value of whole genome sequencing data in gaining long-sought insight into the ultimate causes and risk factors for Alzheimer's, which is the fifth leading cause of death among people 65 and older.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 21, 2024

Towards a better understanding of endothelial cell transformation in cancer progression

A novel reporter cell experimental system enables the visualization of sequential changes during endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) induced by transforming growth factor-β. Researchers identified CD40 as a potential partial EndoMT marker, which suppresses the transition from partial to full EndoMT.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalCancer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

New tool to diagnose genetic mutations

Researchers have developed One-pot DTECT, a compact kit that can detect genetic signatures with high accuracy, enabling rapid point-of-care diagnosis for various applications. The tool has been shown to identify genetic mutations in sickle cell anemia patients and carriers with 100% accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalCell Reports Methods·TypeNews article·DateFeb 6, 2024

RNA sequencing analysis may hold the key to more accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment of pediatric B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A pilot study proposes a promising global genomic assay for diagnosing molecular subtypes in pediatric B-ALL, leading to more accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment options. RNA sequencing analysis accurately identified subtypes in all known cases and determined genetic subtype in 79% of previously unknown cases.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2024

Association for Molecular Pathology publishes best practice guidance for designing and utilizing slice testing approach for diagnostics

The Association for Molecular Pathology published a report outlining considerations for a slice testing strategy, including gene selection and quality. This approach combines the advantages of high-quality gene panels with flexibility and broad scope of exome sequencing.

SourceAssociation for Molecular Pathology·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateDec 20, 2023

The venom preceded the stinger: Genomic studies shed light on the origins of bee venom

Researchers examined venom genes in bees and other hymenopteran taxa using comparative genomics. They found that 12 'families' of peptides and proteins were present in all analyzed hymenopterans, indicating a common ancestor possessed these genes. This suggests that Hymenoptera insects are venomous as an entire group.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalBMC Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

SMART researchers pave the way for faster and safer T-cell therapy through novel contamination-detection method

A novel contamination-detection method enables faster and safer T-cell therapy production, reducing the risk for patients and speeding up treatment. The method uses cutting-edge technology to identify harmful microorganisms within 24 hours.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 27, 2023

Genetics of nearby healthy tissue may help catch lung cancer’s return

A new study suggests that analyzing genetic material from nearby healthy tissue may help predict lung cancer's return after treatment. The study analyzed RNA from tumor cells and adjacent, seemingly normal lung tissue and found that the expression of genes associated with inflammation was especially useful for making predictions.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2023

Capturing immunotherapy response in a blood drop

A phase 2 clinical trial found that serial blood tests can identify patients who benefit from additional immunotherapies, suggesting a potential early marker of treatment response. The study also showed that ctDNA analyses correlated with tumor size and survival, making it a promising strategy for guiding therapy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateOct 9, 2023

An international team identifies the mutations that cause the most frequent congenital heart defects

A new study reveals that biscuspid aortic valve is caused by mutations in the MINDBOMB1 gene, with significant implications for developing alternative treatments to surgery. The research combines genome sequencing and gene editing techniques to analyze the mechanisms of this congenital defect.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalJAMA Cardiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 5, 2023

The use of genomic sequencing panels to personalise cancer treatment is beneficial in only 5% of the patients in whom they are currently used

A study by CNIO Breast Cancer Clinical Research Unit shows that genomic sequencing panels are beneficial in 5% of patients, increasing treatment efficacy and patient survival. The use of these panels is recommended for patients with metastatic lung, colon, or melanoma cancer, or those participating in clinical trials.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2023

Fungus has a host of issues

Researchers identified four fungal proteins responsible for suppressing host plant immunity in infectious diseases, leading to distinct host specificity in over 70% of plant diseases. Understanding the mechanism of this specificity may lead to new crop protection technologies.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2023

Genes reveal kidney cancer’s risk of recurrence

A new study links genetic changes in kidney cancer to patient outcomes, identifying four groups of patients based on mutation presence. This research may lead to more effective prediction of recurrence risk and personalized treatment for thousands of patients annually.

SourceMcGill University·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 23, 2023

Oncotarget | Extreme phenotype approach identifies rare ATR variants as potential male breast cancer susceptibility alleles

Researchers have identified three novel pathogenic variants of the ATR gene as predisposing to male breast cancer. These variants were found in a cohort of individuals with early onset and familial breast cancers, using a combination of exome sequencing and functional investigations. The study suggests that extended genetic analysis ca...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2023

Fish-hunting and eating behaviors confirmed in Japanese macaques

Researchers have documented cases of Japanese macaques hunting and eating fish in the Kamikochi region of Japan, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation to harsh winter conditions. The behavior appears to be an extension of existing feeding habits on vegetation and aquatic plants, with potential implications for future generations.

SourceShinshu University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2023

Novel sex-determination mechanism revealed in mammals

Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered a novel sex-determination mechanism in the Amami spiny rat, a species lacking the Y chromosome and Sry gene. The mechanism involves the upregulation of Sox9 gene on chromosome 3, induced by a new regulatory element similar to Enh14.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 28, 2022

Even good gene edits can go bad

Researchers at Rice University have developed a procedure to quantify unintended changes that accompany on-target CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, potentially threatening the efficacy and safety of therapies. The new method uses single-molecule sequencing with unique molecular identifiers to detect large deletions, insertions, and chromosomal...

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2022

Turning the spotlight on cells in tissues so RNA can tell their story

Researchers have developed a new DNA nanotechnology-driven method called Light-Seq that enables the analysis of gene expression patterns in hard-to-access cells within intact tissues. This approach overcomes limitations of existing spatial transcriptomics methods, allowing for deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and biology.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2022

Improvements for Man and Machine in Scientific Publishing

The use of Frictionless Data enhances both machine readability and human engagement with scientific outputs, turning articles into dynamic entities. Interactive figures enable readers to directly interact with data points, making the publication process more efficient and reproducible.

SourceGigaScience·JournalGigabyte·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 5, 2022

Same same but different

Researchers at Kyoto University have developed a new method to detect intraspecies genomic diversity, or microdiversity, of uncultivated bacteria. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of microbial ecology and evolution, as previously overlooked variations are now being studied.

SourceKyoto University·JournalmSystems·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2022

Clever COVID-19

MU researchers have identified specific mutations in the Omicron variant's spike protein that help it evade existing antibodies from vaccines or previous COVID-19 infections. These findings can inform developers of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, which may need to target different parts of the virus to produce effective outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 18, 2022

Emu stands tall at detecting bacteria species

The Emu project effectively identifies bacterial species by leveraging long DNA sequences spanning the entire length of the gene under study. This approach facilitates the analysis of key genes in microbiome researchers' efforts to sort out harmful and helpful bacteria.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Methods·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 30, 2022