Articles tagged with Genomics
Scientists developed VenomCap to analyze venom genes in snakes, shedding light on snake evolution and developing effective treatments for deadly snake bites. The technique enables quicker analysis of thousands of venom-making genes, paving the way for improved antivenom development and global public health.
Researchers analyzed ancient genomes from the Oakhurst rock shelter in southern Africa, finding that the oldest genomes are genetically similar to San and Khoekhoe groups living today. The study reveals a long history of relative genetic stability until around 1,200 years ago when newcomers introduced new cultures and languages.
Researchers have identified a new epigenetic mark, 5-formylcytosine, which plays a crucial role in activating genes during early embryonic development. This discovery sheds light on the regulation of gene expression in vertebrates and has implications for our understanding of human development and disease.
A new study from European universities has developed a method to analyze wastewater data from seven major cities, identifying thousands of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and antimicrobial resistance. This approach can detect potential health threats simultaneously, potentially preventing epidemics from escalating into outbreaks.
A $7M grant is supporting a four-year project to breed wide hybrids of muscadines and Vitis vinifera, combining desirable traits like disease resistance and crisp texture. The goal is to introduce new grape hybrids with enhanced quality leading to a more resilient US grape industry.
A new machine-learning model developed by a University of Arkansas student improves upon existing genotype-by-environmental interaction models, achieving higher prediction accuracy. The model uses feature engineering to process environmental data, leading to a 7% improvement in mean prediction accuracy.
Researchers discovered a non-virulent bacterium, Mycobacterium spongiae, that shares 80% of its genetic material with M. tuberculosis, shedding light on the disease's origins. The study provides valuable insights into the evolution and virulence of TB.
Scientists have mapped the global repertoire of genes that determine the male or female sexual fates in Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. This study reveals key regulators of gene expression during development and identifies novel candidate 'driver' genes, shedding light on the complex biology of malaria transmission.
Michigan State University researchers have developed a method for CRISPR-based genome editing in Nile grass rats, which are diurnal rodents with sleep patterns similar to humans. This breakthrough could provide an alternative model for studying human health and disease, as existing models rely heavily on laboratory mice.
Researchers developed a new 'pan-pathogen' deep sequencing approach to capture multiple bacterial strains simultaneously. This method enables faster and more comprehensive tracking of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, potentially preventing and managing common hospital infections quicker.
Researchers have created the first spatial map of malaria infection in the mouse liver using Spatial Transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-sequencing. This discovery sheds light on the parasite's lifecycle, revealing changes in host cell gene expression near infected areas.
Researchers at the University of Bologna have identified a specific location and genomic context where DNA breaks occur due to topoisomerase I inhibition. This discovery could lead to new cancer treatments by inducing DNA damage and genomic instability in cancer cells.
Researchers developed a novel nanosensing technique to measure viral vector characteristics, enabling quality control of AAV vectors for safe and effective gene therapy. The approach uses nanopore sensing to detect defects in viral particles, offering potential solutions for reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers have discovered a dynamic cross-kingdom horizontal gene transfer between plants and bacteria, transferring 75 genes that enhance carbohydrate metabolism and hormone synthesis. This finding opens up exciting possibilities for biotechnological applications in agriculture.
A multidisciplinary team developed GeneMAP to probe gene function in metabolism. They identified SLC25A48 as necessary for mitochondrial choline transport and associated it with eight human diseases.
Researchers combined DNA markers from two genotyping systems to improve genomic predictions and GWAS for 24 fruit traits. The results showed increased accuracy and detection power when using combined datasets, suggesting benefits to leveraging historical data.
A new system named SQUID, a computational tool created by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory scientists, helps interpret how AI models analyze the genome. It reduces background noise and leads to more accurate predictions about genetic mutations.
A study by TUM researchers discovered four subtypes of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) with different molecular processes, including sex differences. The findings suggest repurposing an approved cancer drug targeting the MAPK pathway as a promising therapeutic approach for ALS.
A team of researchers, including OHIO's Nate Szewczyk and students, published a comprehensive package of papers in Nature journals that transform our understanding of human space biology. The studies reveal how molecular biology and precision medicine can guide humanity into more challenging missions beyond Earth.
A new study uncovers how different people respond to sepsis based on their genetic makeup, which could help identify who would benefit from certain treatments. The research found two groups of patients with opposite immune responses and identified the genetic regulators involved.
A genetic investigation of 64 child remains found at Chichén Itzá reveals that all the children were male, indicating related male twins were likely selected for ritual activities. The findings suggest a post-sacrificial burial site, with the sacrificed individuals having been chosen for a specific reason.
Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University used long-read RNA sequencing to decode genetic intricacies and disease links. The study identified novel isoforms, cell-type-specific splicing patterns, and disease-linked transcripts associated with immune-related diseases.
Researchers reconstructed ancient genomes of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites to study their worldwide spread. The analysis revealed that European colonizers introduced P. vivax to the Americas, while military activities in Europe facilitated the spread of P. falciparum.
A new genetic analysis of Celtic burial mounds in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, confirms the long-held suspicion that two princes were biologically related. The study finds a close relationship between the two individuals and suggests that power structures among early Celtic elites may have been based on biological kinship.
The study reveals remarkable variation between primate Y chromosomes, showing rapid evolution and previously unstudied regions. The researchers found that over 90% of ape X chromosome sequences aligned to the human X chromosome, while only 14-27% of ape Y chromosome sequences aligned to the human Y chromosome.
Researchers create largest and most advanced multidimensional maps of gene regulation networks in the brains of people with and without mental disorders. The study uses postmortem brain tissue from over 2,500 donors to map gene regulation networks across different stages of brain development and multiple brain-related disorders.
Researchers have developed a new gene-editing system called multiplexed orthogonal base editors (MOBEs) to tackle complex diseases. MOBEs enable simultaneous installation of multiple point mutations across the genome, reducing the risks associated with traditional gene-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9.
Researchers found that horns and antlers share fundamental aspects and likely originated from a single ancestral structure. The study supports the idea that headgear evolved as elaborations on this shared bony structure inherited from a common ancestor.
A groundbreaking IBD study aims to identify biomarkers for personalized treatment, monitoring, and prediction. Researchers will collect genomic data from 1,000 newly diagnosed patients in the UK over four years.
FutureNeuro, a leading SFI Research Centre, is expanding its research programme with a focus on diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital health. The centre aims to develop precision diagnostics, future treatments, and systems using real-time health data.
Researchers created GraSSRep and rhea, tools that outperform current methods for handling repeats and structural variants in metagenomic data. These methods use self-supervised learning and graph neural networks to analyze microbiome data, offering new insights into biological processes and potential applications in antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have discovered that medieval English red squirrels hosted the leprosy bacterium M. leprae, shedding light on potential transmission pathways between animals and humans during the Middle Ages. This finding highlights the importance of understanding animal hosts in predicting disease persistence.
The Hong Kong Biodiversity Genomics Consortium has launched a project to sequence the genomes of its eukaryotic biodiversity, which is rich in species but threatened by climate change. The first five genomes have been published in GigaByte Journal to coincide with International DNA Day.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have identified hundreds of new genes associated with tobacco use disorder, including those linked to psychiatric and medical conditions. The study also identified hundreds of potential drug candidates that could help treat the disease.
A mysterious plasmid, pBI143, found in 90% of human intestines, could be used to identify faecal contamination and offer insights into intestinal diseases. The discovery also highlights the prevalence of 'cryptic' plasmids in human gut microbiota.
A new study reveals that wildebeest populations which no longer migrate are less genetically healthy and more prone to decline. The loss of migration routes due to fencing and roads leads to lower genetic diversity, increased inbreeding, and reduced fertility.
Researchers have identified new genetic variants linked to susceptibility of cervical cancer-causing virus, raising the risk of getting cervical cancer from high-risk HPV infection. The study found polygenic risk scores to determine likelihood of having prevalent or persistent HPV infections.
Scientists have discovered genetic variants in BSN and APBA1 genes linked to adult-onset obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease. These variants are associated with a significant increase in obesity risk, highlighting a new biological mechanism for the condition.
An interdisciplinary team of researchers developed an AI system capable of deciphering genomic language and understanding its functional and regulatory grammar. The Genomic Language Model (gLM) learns from highly diverse metagenomic data, providing insights into gene functions, regulation, and evolutionary relationships.
Meena Sethuraman, a third-year medical student, received the 2024 ACMG Foundation/Revvity Travel Award for her research on genetic variants in fatty acid oxidation disorders. The award recognizes her platform presentation on characterizing pathogenicity of ACADVL variants in very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.
The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine has presented seven Next Generation fellowship awards to promising early career professionals in medical genetics and genomics. The recipients include Xueyang Pan, Bianca Seminotti, and Adriel Yejin Kim, who will support their research projects with corporate donations from Pfizer, S...
A team of scientists at Pohang University of Science & Technology uncovered the molecular mechanism responsible for crossover interference during meiosis, a biological process that generates genetically diverse reproductive cells. The findings have significant implications for breeding and cultivating crops with specific desired traits.
Researchers studied Prorocentrum cordatum to understand its molecular processes, revealing a unique photosynthetic machinery that may help it adapt to changing light conditions. The findings could lead to improved understanding of harmful algal blooms and their role in climate change.
A new genetic marker for cardiomyopathy has been identified through whole genome sequencing, suggesting that tandem repeat expansions may cause four percent of cases. This discovery provides a promising lead for early detection and the development of precision therapies.
The National Genomics Data Center has established a series of core archiving repositories for collecting and archiving multi-omics data, including Genome Sequence Archive and Genome Variation Map. These resources support worldwide data submission, archiving, preservation, and sharing.
Researchers identified six ancient individuals with an extra copy of Chromosome 21 and another with three copies of Chromosome 18, indicating care and appreciation from their communities. These findings suggest that children with Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome were not stigmatized but rather recognized as part of their societies.
A study has identified 1,289 genetic markers associated with Type 2 diabetes, including 145 newly discovered markers. The research provides risk scores for diabetes complications and suggests potential genetic targets for new treatments.
Scientists have identified ocean viruses that can help trap carbon dioxide in seawater, using similar techniques to prevent methane's escape from thawing Arctic soil. The study reveals which viruses target the most important reactions in microbial community metabolisms.
A team of researchers from Texas Heart Institute and Baylor College of Medicine have made a significant discovery about the underlying molecular cell states within transplanted pediatric hearts. They found that donor-derived tissue-resident macrophages are crucial for graft acceptance, but their loss leads to allograft failure.
Researchers at CABBI developed a computational pipeline for identifying CRISPR/Cas-facilitated integration sites, which can pinpoint neutral integration sites in two to three minutes. This tool enables researchers to efficiently locate all the needles that align with their specific criteria, transforming the genome editing process.
A study analyzing ancient DNA from 33 individuals found two separate farmer-associated ancestries in the region, connected to China's Yangtze River valley and Yellow River valley. The genetic results mirror cultural differences between regions, suggesting separate influence spheres and connections to distinct initial migration routes d...
Scientists mapped genetic blueprints for 51 vertebrate species, including cats, dolphins, and birds, using novel algorithms and computer software. This discovery has huge implications for understanding human health and evolution, as it allows researchers to compare complete genomes and identify DNA sequence divergence.
Researchers have discovered genetic material of the pathogen Treponema pallidum in ancient Brazilian bones, indicating that humans suffered from diseases akin to syphilis over 2,000 years ago. This finding challenges existing theories about the spread of syphilis by Spanish conquistadors and suggests that treponematoses were already pr...
A study combines retinal imaging, genetics, and big data to estimate the likelihood of developing eye and systemic diseases. The researchers identified significant associations between retinal layer thickness and increased risk of various diseases, including ocular, neuropsychiatric, cardiac, metabolic, and pulmonary diseases.
Researchers have uncovered novel perspectives on domestic and wild cat evolution through the use of cutting-edge genome sequencing and assembly technologies. The study highlights distinct genetic changes that will aid in future disease studies and provide crucial information for those studying feline diseases, behavior, and conservation.
The project aims to develop a standardized Next Generation Science Storyline that can be delivered in any high school classroom, increasing science literacy and critical thinking among students. Pop-omics, a popcorn-based curriculum, will also provide hands-on lessons on machine learning and AI, connecting with the national AITC program.
A study published in Cell Genomics reveals that specific changes in CD4+ T cell categories and gene programs are associated with autoimmune diseases, including distinct patterns related to aging and sex. The findings provide a comprehensive catalog of CD4+ T cell changes linked to 20 different autoimmune diseases.
A team of scientists sequenced the full genome of a sea cucumber collected at a hydrothermal vent, revealing expanded gene families involved in DNA repair and iron metabolism. The research provides valuable insights into the unique adaptations of marine animals to survive in extreme environments.
A new study led by the Smithsonian identifies five new species of soft-furred hedgehogs from Southeast Asia, using DNA analysis and physical characteristics. The two new species, Hylomys vorax and H. macarong, are endemic to the endangered Leuser ecosystem in North Sumatra and Southern Vietnam.
A new species of pit viper, the Ayeyarwady pit viper, has been discovered in central Myanmar, exhibiting a blend of characteristics between its sister species. The discovery reveals that this species is highly variable, with varying degrees of morphological features.