Check out the latest Genomics Week In Brief – full of intriguing news and research from the genomics space!
Top stories from the past week:
- Researchers have created a model of GATA2 deficiency, identifying disease-associated mutations and mechanisms. The findings could subsequently lead to new treatments for the debilitating blood disorder (Cell Reports).
- Most women carrying mutations linked to early menopause didn’t actually suffer from the condition, according to a new study. This calls previous work into question and suggest that early menopause is caused by a number of different factors (Nature Medicine).
- Researchers have developed a tool called ‘Multiplex Genome Architecture Mapping’ that allows for better analysis of chromatin contacts on a genome-wide scale (Nature Methods).
- A transcriptomic study of individuals who have spent time on the International Space Station revealed changes in leukocyte gene expression linked to space travel (Frontiers in Immunology).
- Alzheimer’s disease may start to develop during embryogenesis, according to a recent study (Stem Cell Reports).
- Scientists have described the structure of a DNA repair complex that is crucial in protecting against cancer (Nature).
- Early reports suggest that CAR-T cell therapy could be modified to treat an autoimmune disorder (The Lancet Neurology).
- Scientists have developed a gene therapy technique that could treat a serious developmental epilepsy syndrome (Journal of Clinical Investigation).
- Variants linked to high LDL-cholesterol levels are also associated with coronary heart disease risk, according to a recent study (Circulation).
- Loss of the Y chromosome allows cancer cells to evade the immune system in some male cancers (Nature).
- Researchers have identified a tissue type, and related genes, in certain ovarian cancers that is linked to better prognosis (Cell Reports Medicine).
- The protein GCN1 has been seen to play a vital role in the targeted degradation of erroneous proteins (Cell).
- Scientists have developed ‘universal donor stem cells’ that could one day be used to treat degenerative brain disorders (Advanced Science).
In other news:
- A new gene therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (Nationwide Children’s).
- A study has suggested that the global number of diabetes patients will increase to 1.3 billion by 2050 (The Lancet).
- Finally, experts have warned that dangerous mosquito-borne diseases – such as Dengue fever and Zika virus – are becoming more prevalent in Europe (BBC).
