Whole Genome Sequencing News and Research

RSS

Study looks at drug resistance in BRAF-mutated gliomas

Looking to understand why some brain tumors with a specific mutation can start to reject drugs commonly used to treat them, CU Cancer Center member Jean Mulcahy Levy, MD, led researchers from institutions around the country -; including several from the University of Colorado School of Medicine -; to study samples of brain tumors before and after being treated with the drug.

16 Sep 2021

Dynamics of healthcare-associated SARS-CoV-2 infections revealed with whole genome sequencing

In a recent paper, the researchers study the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infections on a geriatric hospital ward by whole genome sequencing.

13 Sep 2021

Studies outlines novel strategies for detecting cancer and minimal residual disease

The latest special issue of PLOS Medicine features five studies outlining novel strategies for detecting cancer and for identifying minimal residual disease-; when a small number of tumor cells survive treatment, potentially leading to recurrence of cancer.

1 Sep 2021

Liquid biopsies could help identify, track bladder cancer and peripheral nerve tumors

Liquid biopsies detect tumor DNA in blood or urine samples. Two studies led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis describe the potential of liquid biopsies to identify and track tumor growth in two very different cancers: bladder cancer and peripheral nerve tumors.

31 Aug 2021

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity induced by Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine may decline after 6 months

A team of scientists from Israel has recently claimed that antiviral immunity induced by the mRNA-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) BNT162b2 gradually declines over time, highlighting the need for a third booster dose.

31 Aug 2021

Molecular autopsy of dried blood spots can identify underlying cause of sudden cardiac death in a young person

The underlying cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in a young person is often difficult to identify. A genetic analysis could provide more information in many cases, but blood samples are not collected routinely at the time of death, and DNA extracted from the tissues collected at autopsy is damaged because of the way they are fixed in formalin and paraffin-embedded.

30 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant increased COVID-19 severity in Scotland's 3rd wave

A team of UK-based scientists has recently revealed that the alpha variant (B.1.1.7) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the third pandemic wave in Scotland and that the variant is associated with more severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

25 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant associated with more breakthrough infections

The study highlights that compared to the previously circulating alpha variant, the delta variant is associated with higher infectious virus load and a lower level of humoral immunity in the upper respiratory tract. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server prior to peer review.

24 Aug 2021

FDA and Mexican counterparts report accomplishments and set goals for future food safety partnership

As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of food imported from Mexico and advance protections for consumers in both countries, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and its regulatory counterparts in Mexico - the Federal Commission for the Protection from Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) and the National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) held the first Food Safety Partnership Annual Meeting on August 20, an important milestone in food safety.

23 Aug 2021

DeepSARS simultaneously detects and conducts genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

A new study discusses the development of DeepSARS, a high-throughput platform for diagnostic detection and genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.

23 Aug 2021

P681R spike mutation enhances replication efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 delta variant

A team of scientists from the University of Texas, USA, has recently revealed that the P681R spike mutation is responsible for increased infectivity of the delta variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The P681R spike mutation increases the replication of the delta variant by increasing the dissociation of S1 and S2 subunits at the furin cleavage site. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

18 Aug 2021

New genomic and geological mapping tool may help track the deadliest of foodborne pathogens

Among the deadliest of foodborne pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes soon may become easier to track down in food recalls and other investigations, thanks to a new genomic and geological mapping tool created by Cornell University food scientists.

11 Aug 2021

Fine aerosols generated during talking, singing may play a major role in SARS-CoV-2 transmission

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been thought to spread primarily when an infected person coughs or sneezes, but little is known about its transmissibility through activities such as breathing, talking, and singing.

11 Aug 2021

Genetic testing in ambulatory cardiology clinics can benefit many patients

A person's genetics may hold the key to early intervention in cardiovascular disease, leading to better outcomes in patient care.

9 Aug 2021

PD1 gene deletions associated with worse prognoses of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas

Immunohistochemistry staining showing PD1 expression on tumor cells in a skin biopsy from a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma patient.

5 Aug 2021

A quantitative assessment of SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosol production

In an effort to improve the sensitivity and sample recovery of mask sampling, researchers developed a mask sampling tool to assess bioaerosol variation.

28 Jul 2021

Comprehensive genomic sequencing essential to capitalize precision medicine for pediatric cancer care

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have demonstrated that comprehensive genomic sequencing of all pediatric cancer patients is feasible and essential to capitalize on the lifesaving potential of precision medicine.

26 Jul 2021

Study examines the host and viral factors that drive SARS-CoV-2 evolution

In a new paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv*, two clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2 are monitored by whole genome sequencing as they are passaged through several generations of Vero cells or human-derived primary nasal epithelial cells (PNEC), allowing direct observation of the occurrence of virus enhancing mutations and the way in which host cell factors shape virus evolution.

21 Jul 2021

Transient chromosomal errors can spur the formation of tumors, study finds

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has found that inducing random chromosome instability (CIN) events in mice for as little as one week is enough to trigger harmful chromosomal patterns in cells that spur the formation of tumors.

16 Jul 2021

Mass spectrometry: An important tool to unravel mechanisms underlying Huntington's disease

Mass spectrometry has emerged as an important analytical tool for gaining a better understanding of mechanisms underlying Huntington's disease (HD), alongside the increased availability of cell and animal models of the disease.

14 Jul 2021