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Five eminent female cancer researchers receive the Victoria's Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers 2022 Meritorious Awards, in partnership with Pelotonia & AACR

The Victoria's Secret Global Fund for Women's Cancers has awarded five female researchers for their groundbreaking work on breast and gynecologic cancers. The recipients will receive a $100,000 honorarium and be invited to participate in a broader women's cancers grant program.

Personalized testing for safety and effectiveness of common medicines must be offered throughout the health service

A report by the British Pharmacological Society and Royal College of Physicians recommends integrating pharmacogenomic testing to ensure medicines work safely and effectively for individual patients. The UK is a world leader in genomic medicine, and expanded testing would further demonstrate this leadership.

SourceBritish Pharmacological Society·JournalBritish Journal of Clinical Pharmacology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 28, 2022

The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine announces Carly Peterson as the recipient of the 2022 ACMG Foundation Carolyn Mills Lovell Genetic Counselor Award

Carly Peterson, a genetic counseling graduate student, received the 2022 ACMG Foundation Carolyn Mills Lovell Genetic Counselor Award. Her platform presentation explored parenting stress in raising children with sex chromosome aneuploidies, using data from the eXtraordinarY Babies Study.

The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine Presents Four Next Generation Fellowship Awards at the 2022 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting

The ACMG Foundation presented four Next Generation Fellowship Awards to outstanding individuals in medical genetics and genomics. Ibrahim Elsharkawi and Jessica Priestley received the awards for their dedication to biochemical genetics, with support from Bionano Genomics, Spark Therapeutics, Takeda, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Pfizer.

Staying alive, Arabian oryx style

A study has decoded the DNA of the Arabian Oryx, a vulnerable species that was on the brink of extinction. The researchers analyzed the genetic data to inform breeding programs and found moderate diversity in the population's gene pool.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 15, 2022

Baby white wallaby harboring hopping DNA

Researchers at Kyoto University have identified a genetic mutation causing albinism in wallabies, tracing it to an inserted retrovirus gene. The study found that the mutation was caused by a copy of the HIV-like virus inserted into the host's genome.

SourceKyoto University·JournalGenome·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2022

Press release: Pre-clinical assessment of tobacco-free nicotine pouches demonstrates reduced in-vitro toxicity compared to combustible cigarette smoke in recent study

A recent study published in Applied In Vitro Toxicology found that tobacco-free nicotine pouches exhibit reduced levels of toxicants and biological activity compared to combustible cigarette smoke. The products, manufactured by Imperial Brands, showed substantially reduced genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in three toxicological assays.

SourceImperial Brands·JournalApplied In Vitro Toxicology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

Could a community-based approach to genetic testing help African Americans reduce risks of chronic kidney disease?

Researchers found that a community-based approach to reporting APOL1 genetic test results resulted in lower blood pressure readings among hypertensive patients. This trial suggests that involving communities in genetic testing could be beneficial for reducing the risks of chronic kidney disease.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 4, 2022

The impacts from using genetic testing to track down relatives

Researchers surveyed over 26,000 genetic genealogy participants about their experiences discovering previously unknown relatives. Most reported learning the identity of at least one relative, with some finding close family ties and others experiencing life-changing discoveries.

SourceCell Press·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 24, 2022

New benchmark could improve detection of genetic variants linked to spinal muscular atrophy, other diseases

A new DNA benchmark, developed by NIST and collaborators, enables more accurate detection of genetic variants linked to diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy. The benchmark, based on HiFi sequencing technology, helps labs and clinics sequence genes with high accuracy, critical for disease diagnosis and treatment.

Special testing of kidney tissue from deceased COVID-19 donor documents safe transplantation of the organ, Johns Hopkins researchers report

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully transplanted a kidney from a COVID-19 donor, demonstrating that healthy kidneys from such donors can be safely transplanted. The recipient has shown no signs or symptoms of the virus and has excellent kidney function since the transplant.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Transplantation·DateJan 31, 2022

An effectiveness study of combinatorial pharmacogenetics testing to guide the treatment of depression in adolescents

A randomized controlled trial of combinatorial pharmacogenetics testing found no significant improvement in depressive symptoms among adolescents with depression. However, the study suggests that testing results may influence physician decision-making and could be useful in specific cases where individual gene-drug pairs impact clinica...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 25, 2022

New study determines parentage, age, and survival of North Atlantic right whales using genetic testing

A new study published in Mammalian Biology analyzed the life history data of 13 North Atlantic right whales using genetic samples and photo identification. The researchers found that four calves previously thought to be dead survived, revealing a significant variation in calf separation time from mothers and physical development.

SourceNew England Aquarium·JournalMammalian Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2022

Calcium: important not just for your bones but also for your heart

A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine identified a novel causative gene, BAG5, for dilated cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of heart failure. The researchers found that mutations in this gene can lead to cardiomyopathy and found a potential treatment alternative using adeno-associated viruses (AAV) gene therapy.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 19, 2022

Large field hospital study shows rapid Covid-19 test compares solidly with PCR detection

A large field hospital study shows that a rapid Covid-19 test is as accurate as PCR detection, with high sensitivity rates for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The rapid antigen test's ease of use, time savings, and cost effectiveness make it an ideal solution to reduce testing disparities in medically underserved communities.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·DateDec 7, 2021

Refinement of genetic signals for psoriasis by combining European-origin and South Asian populations

A Michigan Medicine study combined genetic samples from patients of different ethnic backgrounds, identifying two new psoriasis genetic signals. The inclusion of South Asian subjects allowed researchers to pinpoint several genetic variations within HLA genes that are likely to play a causal role in psoriasis.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalHuman Genetics and Genomics Advances·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 2, 2021

Whole genome sequencing improves diagnosis of rare diseases and shortens diagnostic journeys for patients, according to world first study

A world-first study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that whole genome sequencing can uncover new diagnoses for people with rare diseases. The pilot study analyzed 4,660 individuals and found a new diagnosis for 25% of participants, including 14% not detectable by other conventional methods.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 10, 2021

Study finds genetic markers may predict severity of COVID-19 infection

Scientists at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have identified specific genetic biomarkers in blood samples that can indicate the severity of COVID-19. The study's findings suggest that these signals can be used to monitor SARS-CoV-2 status and predict clinical outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 26, 2021

Addition of genotypic resistance testing did not improve virologic response in patients with HIV virologic failure sub-Saharan Africa

A randomized controlled trial found that adding genotypic resistance testing to routine care didn't improve virologic suppression among HIV patients with first-line antiretroviral therapy failure in public-sector clinics in Uganda and South Africa. The findings highlight the need for effective interventions for persons with virologic f...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 25, 2021

Genes and collective behaviour

Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technique to edit genes in zebrafish larvae, altering individual behavioral responses and group behavior. The study suggests two simple visuomotor reflexes explain the collective behavior of zebrafish.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 13, 2021

National Kidney Foundation, Leading nephrology experts develop roadmap to advance kidney disease research

The National Kidney Foundation has released a research roadmap to accelerate innovations in treatment and increase understanding of kidney disease. The report calls for increased funding in preclinical science, genetics, health equity, and implementation science to tackle the most vexing challenges in kidney disease.

SourceNational Kidney Foundation·JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases·DateOct 7, 2021

Alternative to using race in kidney function test found

Researchers at Kaiser Permanente identified a blood cystatin C test as an alternative to estimate kidney function, eliminating the need for racial considerations. The study showed that this approach produces similarly accurate results and may promote equity for people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 23, 2021