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 meta-analysis of multiple genome-wide association studies has identified 27 risk loci and 76 candidate genes for ADHD (Nature Genetics).
- A new transcriptome-wide association analysis method has been developed that can analyse multi-ancestry data. This new approach has been used to identify genes associated with tobacco addiction (Nature Genetics).
- Researchers have discovered the genetic basis of a newly characterised immunodeficiency disorder. The mutation, found in the DNA-binding region of the IRF4 transcription factor, impairs the production of immune cells and increases susceptibility to certain infections (Science Immunology).
- Overexpression of the gene ZMYND8 is responsible for chemotherapy resistance in IDH1 glioma – a type of brain cancer that often recurs following treatment (Clinical Cancer Research).
- A study has revealed that blocking genome instability in cancer cells may prevent tumour diversification and treatment resistance (Cancer Discoveries).
- An integrated multi-omics study has revealed that dysregulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle plays a role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic disorder methylmalonic aciduria (Nature).
- Scientists have identified a gene associated with the rare but severe VEXAS syndrome. Using this data, they estimated the prevalence of the condition in the US population (JAMA).
- A new study has identified the methods of protein suppression used by regulatory T cells in order to suppress the activity of self-reactive effector T cells (Journal of Experimental Medicine).
- A new DNA sequencing method, “Chem-map”, has been developed. This new technology can pinpoint where small molecule drugs bind to DNA, helping to further our understanding of how certain medicines impact cellular processes (Nature).
- The 12-hour ultradian rhythm of gene expression in the human brain is not present in patients with schizophrenia (PLOS).
- De novo generation of protospacer adjacent motifs can help to expand the range of genetic material that can be effectively edited using CRISPR technology (Development).
- A 3D structure of the tumour-suppressor SPOP has been published, which may reveal how certain cancers develop (Molecular Cell).
- Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that cells use to protect their genome during replication. This new information could be used to enhance the efficacy of cancer drugs (Molecular Cell).
In other news:
- It has been revealed that an asteroid has passed the Earth closer than some satellites. The rock, the size of a bus, passed over South America at a distance of just over 2,000 miles (BBC).
- A new nasal vaccine for COVID-19 has been approved for use in India (BBC).
- A study has shown that data from pharmacy loyalty cards can help to predict ovarian cancer. Over-the-counter pain and indigestion medication purchases are more common in women who later develop the disease (Guardian).
