Happy Monday and welcome to Week in Brief! Check out the latest genomic news below.
Understanding methylation has been a hot topic…
A paper introduces MethSCAn, a software tool to help researchers analyse single-cell bisulphite sequencing which distinguishes cell types and states to quantify methylation in the genome (Nature Methods).
Dimethylsulfonium has been shown to identify readers of lysine methylation in complex cell types, which could be used to decode this post-translational modification (Nature Chemistry).
Artificial intelligence has been in the news this week…
Could light make AI more energy efficient? A study introduces a photonic convolutional processing system which uses light to reduce the energy consumption of computers (Nature).
The AI technology, EpiSign, has been shown to accurately identify patients affected by recurrent constellation of embryonic malformations, a birth disorder that causes malformations in three or more body areas (American Journal of Human Genetics).
The same technology has also been used to identify biomarkers for foetal valporate syndrome, a condition caused by prenatal exposure to toxic levels of neurological medications (Genetics in Medicine).
The genetics of neurology and neurological disorders have been in the limelight…
A genetic variant that blocks the IGF-1 signalling pathway has been identified in individuals with ALS Reversal. These patients are initially diagnosed with ALS but experience a rare and sporadic recovery (Neurology).
A multi-center, observational study, has enrolled 10,510 participants for genetic testing and counselling for genetic variants associated with Parkinson’s disease. A reportable genetic variant was identified in 13% of participants, highlighting the need for universal genetic testing for Parkinson’s disease (Brain).
A study demonstrates that the epigenetic makeup of a neuron determines how likely it will be allocated to storing learned information and contributing to memory. Essentially, neurons with less-compressed DNA are more likely to be allocated to memory processes (Science).
What else has been in the news this week?
Can we start to prevent ageing? Researchers have shown that blocking IL-11 signalling can improve health and lifespan of both male and female mice (Nature).
Researchers have shown that the depletion of the gut microbiota in mice can impact the toxicokinetics of nitrosamines, leading to a reduction in the development and severity of nitrosamine-induced urinary bladder cancer (Nature).
How do cells know when they’re damaged or infected? A paper published this week shows that the proton pump, V-ATPase, can sense when acids are leaking out of cells and raise the alarm to indicate damage (Molecular Cell).
Check out last week’s Week in Brief here.
