Whole Genome Sequencing News and Research

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Study explains how genetics and lifestyle combined to keep a 117-year-old healthy

Scientists conducted a multiomics study of the world’s oldest verified person (117 years), uncovering protective genetic, immune, metabolic, microbiome, and epigenetic traits that supported her exceptional longevity. These findings highlight how aging and disease may, under rare circumstances, be decoupled.

25 Sep 2025

New method reveals how mitochondrial DNA mutations influence cancer growth

Mitochondria act as energy factories in cells and have their own, separate DNA. Mutations to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been observed in cancer, but it has been unclear how these changes might affect cancer growth.

10 Sep 2025

Can cannabis use disrupt women’s fertility? New study finds strong evidence

Researchers found that THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, alters oocyte gene expression, spindle formation, and chromosome segregation, lowering embryo euploidy rates in IVF. This provides direct human evidence linking cannabis exposure to impaired female fertility outcomes.

10 Sep 2025

HPV-DeepSeek shows promise for early detection of head and neck cancer

Human papilloma virus (HPV) causes around 70% of head and neck cancers in the United States, making it the most common cancer caused by the virus, with rates increasing each year.

9 Sep 2025

Understanding the role of paraventricular thalamic nucleus in bipolar disorder pathophysiology

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and mania.

4 Sep 2025

Colorectal cancer identified by its unique microbial fingerprint

Colorectal cancer is unique in having its own microbial 'fingerprint' – according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

3 Sep 2025

Genomic clues uncover early origins of multiple myeloma

A new study maps out the timeline of DNA damage for multiple myeloma, the second most common blood cancer.

1 Sep 2025

New strategies to tackle resistant foodborne pathogens

Innovative approaches in food and beverage analysis are transforming pathogen detection and control, emphasizing the role of natural compounds and sequencing.

19 Aug 2025

Alzheimer’s gene risks differ by ancestry, major study reveals 133 new variants

Researchers used whole-genome sequencing from diverse populations to identify 156 variants, including 133 novel ones, linked to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The study highlights ancestry-specific genetic risk and protective factors, challenging one-size-fits-all approaches to dementia genetics.

17 Aug 2025

Study shows probiotics help preterm babies fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers found that probiotics help reduce antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the guts of very-low-birth-weight preterm infants, but cannot fully prevent resistance genes from spreading. Antibiotic use still promotes gene swapping, highlighting the limits of probiotics alone in neonatal care.

17 Aug 2025

UK Biobank completes world's largest whole-body imaging project

In a remarkable achievement that is already impacting how we detect and diagnose disease, UK Biobank has completed the world's largest whole body imaging project, scanning the brains, hearts, abdomens, blood vessels, bones and joints of 100,000 volunteers.

16 Jul 2025

Dynamic mapping exposes hidden dynamics of gut microbiome

This study reveals how gut microbiome interactions influence E. coli colonization, using Dynamic Covariance Mapping to analyze community dynamics and stability.

14 Jul 2025

Natural compounds from turmeric and rhubarb show promise against superbugs in wastewater

When we're taking antibiotics, some of the dose is excreted with urine and feces and ends up in our wastewater. The presence of this low dose of antibiotic creates an opportunity for resistant bacteria to evolve.

10 Jul 2025

Scientists reveal how chemotherapy causes genetic damage in healthy blood

For the first time, scientists have systematically studied the genetic effects of chemotherapy on healthy tissues.

2 Jul 2025

Missing gut bacteria in US babies triples allergy and eczema risk

US infants lacking Bifidobacterium in their gut microbiome face significant changes in microbial composition, metabolic function, and immune-related health risks. This large, nationally representative study links early-life Bifidobacterium deficits to a three-fold increase in eczema, allergy, or asthma by age two.

25 Jun 2025

Full tumor DNA sequencing becomes standard for children with cancer

Readouts of the full DNA of children with cancer at diagnosis have been implemented as the standard of care in a European first.

19 Jun 2025

Utah State biologist investigates chromosomal changes driving evolution

How do living things evolve? What is the myriad of processes by which generic variations in a population affect organisms' survival and allow reproduction in an ever-changing environment?

19 Jun 2025

When old diseases find new ways in: Europe’s latest diphtheria outbreak explained

A large multicountry outbreak of toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae occurred among migrants entering Europe in 2022, driven primarily by cutaneous infections and involving multiple genetic lineages. Despite the unprecedented surge, transmission to resident populations was limited, but rising antimicrobial resistance and delayed treatment highlight ongoing public health risks.

10 Jun 2025

Genetic study reveals why some children respond better to myopia lenses

Myopia, or nearsightedness, has reached epidemic levels worldwide, particularly in East and Southeast Asia.

5 Jun 2025

Early gut bacteria may help protect babies from respiratory infections

A baby's makeup of gut bacteria - their microbiome - which starts to form as soon as they are born, could help protect against viral infections later in childhood, a new study suggests.

5 Jun 2025