What’s been going on in the life sciences world this week? Check out Week in Brief for an overview of the biggest news from the last seven days.
Researchers have used a combination of genomics techniques and machine learning to understand the molecular events that lead to amyloid build up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. The large-scale study has shed light on the first changes that occur in this pathway, providing new hope for earlier intervention.
Scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Parse Biosciences, and Helmholtz Munich have announced that they will be collaborating on a single-cell map of cancer plasticity, focusing on how tumours adapt to treatments. This ambitious project will use organoids and AI to generate data, with the goal of identifying new drug targets and predicting treatment resistance in patients.
New research has uncovered why humans consistently develop IgG antibodies to peanut proteins, regardless of whether they have a peanut allergy. The study found that human antibody genes predispose individuals to create these specific antibodies, offering a deeper understanding of our immune response to common food proteins.
A phenome-wide investigation has shown that copies of an allele linked to bitter taste sensitivity are associated with dietary choices and subsequent health outcomes, such as the amount of salty food and alcohol an individual consumes. The allele is also linked to bipolar disorder.
An AI-powered study has uncovered detail about the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis globally since the 1980s. The work has shed light on developments linked to the rise or fall of the condition in certain, helping to identify potential interventions.
A follow-up paper has been published, detailing the ongoing health of a group of men who received a one-time gene therapy to treat haemophilia B over 13 years ago. The study shows that the treatment, which was administered using an adeno-associated viral vector, is safe and effective long-term.
Scientists have identified chromosomal changes that drive metastasis in colorectal cancer. Understanding these mechanisms could help to predict individual risk and to develop new therapies.
More than five years on from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, new research has shed light on how the virus evolves. This new information could help to predict the emergence of future variants and the development of new treatments.
In a large-scale twin study, researchers have investigated how individual genetic differences influence sensitivity to environmental factors, which subsequently impact psychiatric and neurodevelopmental phenotypes. The study of almost 22,000 twins showed that an individual’s genes can modulate the effects of the environment.
Finally, breast cancer patients who received textured implants after a mastectomy may be at risk of developing a rare form of lymphoma if they also carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. This finding could help to predict risk and choose better options for treatment and reconstructive surgeries.
