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 developed a new mechanism for gene editing using a non-viral vector, enhancing the efficacy of CRISPR/Cas techniques (Nature).
- Necrosis in the core of tumours can promote metastasis through secretion of cancer-promoting proteins (PNAS).
- An epigenetic “traffic light” mechanism controls gene expression in cells. The H3K4me3 marker regulates the action of RNA polymerase II, in turn controlling transcription of DNA (Nature).
- A targeted protein degradation approach could be the basis of a potential new Alzheimer’s treatment (ACS Central Science).
- Researchers have used cryo-electron microscopy to uncover the laws governing “RNA origami” – the folding of RNA molecules into different nanostructures. This information could be used in the development of RNA-based therapeutics (Nature).
- Analysis of DNA from an individual who lived on the Iberian Peninsula 23,000 years ago has shed light on human population history in Europe (Nature).
- Scientists have used a machine learning algorithm that can monitor the severity of the genetic condition Rett syndrome, through use of a wearable, data-collecting patch (PLoS).
- Artificial intelligence can be used to predict cancer prognosis when provided with comprehensive health information (JAMA).
- A new cancer imaging method has been developed that can reveal the unique chemical makeup of a tumour. This technique could be used to inform personalised therapies (ACS Publications).
- Researchers have developed a new bacterial-artificial-chromosome (BAC) gene editing technique that can aid in Herpesvirus research (Microorganisms).
- A large genomic analysis has revealed the genetic traits that drove the 2022 outbreak of cholera in Bangladesh (Nature).
- An individual’s microbiome can influence their response to chemotherapy, according to a new study (Nature).
- A genome-wide association study has revealed 43 loci that contain genetic variants linked to human fertility (Nature).
- Whole exome sequencing has revealed two genetic variants that are linked to increased risk of hemiplegic migraines (Molecular Neurobiology).
In other news:
- February 28th was Rare Disease Day. Over 600 events were held globally, raising awareness and funds to support those living with a rare condition (Rare Disease Day).
- The University of Cardiff has announced that a new schizophrenia drug, MDI-26478, is entering the clinical trials phase (University of Cardiff).
- A team of scientists are taking steps to reconstruct the protoribosome – an ancient structure responsible for the origins of life on Earth (Nature).
