Check out the latest Genomics Week in Brief covering – full of intriguing news and research from the genomics space!
Top stories from the past week:
- A study in the model organism drosophila melanogaster has uncovered mechanisms that may explain why older fathers pass on more mutations to their offspring (Nature Ecology and Evolution).
- Researchers have developed an atlas of protein kinases and their targets that could potentially be used in drug development (Nature).
- A new method of mRNA delivery has been developed. The technology, which sees mRNA packaged into extracellular vesicles, could be a step forward for mRNA-based therapies (Nature Biomedical Engineering).
- Scientists have identified over 2,500 genes that display sex-specific differences in the lungs of mice. These findings could explain sex biases seen in a variety of lung conditions (Stem Cell Reports).
- Lipid nanoparticles (similar to those used in COVID-19 vaccinations) have for the first time been used to deliver mRNA to the retina of mice and other animal models. The technology has the potential to revolutionise treatment for inherited eye conditions (Science Advances).
- Deletion of the KMT2D gene drives development of lung squamous cell carcinoma in lab-grown organoids, furthering our understanding of how the disease develops (Cancer Cell).
- Comprehensive multi-omics profiling has revealed that somatic mosaicism may be linked to epilepsy, as part of an international effort to understand the disease (Nature Genetics).
- CRISPR-Cas9 has been used to target a gene involved in ischemic-reperfusion injuries in mice. This system has the potential to prevent tissue damage after heart attacks or strokes (Science).
- Scientists have discovered that silencing the immune evasion gene TBK1 can prevent resistance to cancer immunotherapy (Nature).
- Epidemiological and phylogenetic research has uncovered clinical and genomic signatures that contributed to the spread of monkeypox (Zoonoses).
- Researchers have discovered that expression of the TREM2 gene, which is already implicated in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and certain cancers, is also linked to obesity in females (Scientific Reports).
- Analysis of ten ancient human genomes has revealed information about the genetic makeup of North Asia as far back as 7,500 years ago (Current Biology).
- Scientists have developed a gel containing chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells to use on surgical wounds following tumour removal. The therapy eliminates residual cancer cells in mice, preventing tumour resurgence (Science Advances).
In other news:
- Over 100,000 type 1 diabetes patients are to be offered an artificial pancreas from the NHS, which uses an algorithm to control blood sugar levels (Guardian).
- Early research has suggested that hormone replacement therapy may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in women (BMC).
- And finally, new high quality images from the James Webb Space Telescope have been released. These images provide new insights into the origins of our universe (BBC).
