12405 results for ""non-traditional+communal+storytelling+approach"+novel+segment+noted+in+critical+commentary"

in 26.88 milliseconds.

• Acute_Lymphoblastic_Leukemia_Sequencing

  Agilent whole exome hybridisation capture will be performed on genomic DNA derived from 50 Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia samples and matched normal DNA from the same patients. Three lanes of Illumina GA sequencing will be performed on the resulting 100 exome libraries and mapped build 37 of the human reference genome to facilitate the identification of novel cancer genes. In addition, 500bp, NO_PCR total genomic libraries will be prepared from the same samples and five lanes of Illumina GA sequencing will be analysed to characterise genome wide, somatically acquired structural variation.

  Study EGAS00001000058

• Placebo-only arm transcriptomic analysis of the phase 3 PROTECT clinical trial

  It is poorly understood how the tumor immune microenvironment influences disease recurrence in localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Here we perform whole-transcriptomic profiling of 236 tumors from patients assigned to the placebo-only arm of a randomized, adjuvant clinical trial for high-risk localized ccRCC. Unbiased pathway analysis identifies myeloid-derived interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a key mediator. Furthermore, a novel myeloid gene signature strongly correlates with disease recurrence and overall survival on uni- and multivariate analysis and is linked to TP53 inactivation across multiple datasets.

  Study EGAS00001006344

• The Genetic Architecture of Smoking and Smoking Cessation

  This study includes samples from two projects: Collaborative Genetic Study of Nicotine Dependence (COGEND; PI: Laura Bierut) and University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center (UW-TTURC; PI: Timothy Baker). Data are available for an additional 1420 COGEND subjects through the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE), dbGaP study accession phs000092. The majority of these subjects are independent from the current study, but there is a small amount of overlap between the two samples (n=29 subjects) for quality control purposes. It should be noted that the case definition in the SAGE study is DSM-IV alcohol dependence. The case definition in the current study is nicotine dependence by a current score of 4 or greater on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). The overall goal of this project is to identify and characterize genetic variants that contribute to the development of nicotine dependence, related smoking behaviors, and smoking cessation. The COGEND sample includes unrelated cases and controls for a genetic association study of nicotine dependence. Cases are defined by a commonly used definition of nicotine dependence, a current score of 4 or more (maximum score of 10) on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Control status is defined as an individual who smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetime, yet never became dependent (lifetime FTND=0). By selecting controls who smoked, those genetic effects that are specific to nicotine dependence can be examined. The UW-TTURC sample includes nicotine dependent smokers from three smoking cessation studies. Subjects had to smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day (confirmed smoking by an alveolar carbon monoxide (CO) level greater than 9) and report being motivated to quit smoking. Participants were excluded based on evidence of psychosis history, clinically significant depression symptoms, other severe mental illness, or contraindications to smoking cessation medications. COGEND: COGEND was initiated in 2001 as a three-part program project grant funded through the National Cancer Institute (NCI; PI: Laura Bierut). The three projects included a study of the familial transmission of nicotine dependence, a genetic study of nicotine dependence, and a study of the relationship of nicotine dependence with nicotine metabolism. The primary goal is to detect, localize, and characterize genes that predispose or protect an individual with respect to heavy tobacco consumption, nicotine dependence, and related phenotypes and to integrate these findings with the family transmission and nicotine metabolism findings. The primary design is a community based case-control family study. Nicotine dependent cases and non-dependent, smoking controls were identified and recruited from Detroit and St. Louis. In addition, one sibling for each case and control subject was recruited in a subset of the sample. More than 54,000 subjects aged 25-44 years were screened by telephone; more than 3,100 subjects were personally interviewed; and more than 2,900 subjects donated blood samples for genetic studies. UW-TTURC: The UW-TTURC was initiated in 2001 as a study of nicotine dependence and smoking cessation treatment. The second round of UW-TTURC was initiated in 2005 as a study of efficacy of smoking cessation and long term outcomes. Nicotine dependent smokers seeking cessation treatment were identified and recruited from Madison and Milwaukee, WI. Over 9,000 adult smokers were screened by telephone; 2,575 individuals were enrolled and randomized to treatment conditions that involved use of different smoking cessation medications. Participants from the UW-TTURC smoking cessation clinical trials had the option of participating in a genetic substudy, and approximately 2,000 donated blood samples for genetic studies. The goal of the genetic studies of smokers seeking cessation treatment is to detect, localize, and characterize genes that predispose or protect an individual with respect to heavy tobacco consumption, nicotine dependence, and related phenotypes including cessation, withdrawal, and relapse. Both studies (COGEND and UW-TTURC) include measures of basic socio-demographic variables, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, family income, and educational attainment. Information on nicotine dependence, as assessed by the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) is available for all subjects. In addition, participants also completed the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS; Shiffman et al., 2004) and the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM-68; Piper et al, 2004). Coding for both individual variables and indices has been standardized across studies. All subjects were assessed in person by trained research assistants. This study is part of the Gene Environment Association Studies initiative (GENEVA, http://www.genevastudy.org) funded by the trans-NIH Genes, Environment, and Health Initiative (GEI). The overarching goal is to identify novel genetic factors that contribute to the genetic architecture of smoking through large-scale genome-wide association studies of two well-characterized cohorts. Genotyping was performed at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR). Data cleaning and harmonization were done at the GEI-funded GENEVA Coordinating Center at the University of Washington.

  Study phs000404

• Epichaperome - Englander Institute for Precision Medicine - Weill Cornell Medicine DAC

  This dataset accompanies the publication of Sugita M et al. "Targeting the Epichaperome As an Effective Precision Medicine Approach in a Novel PML-SYK Fusion Acute Myeloid Leukemia" Npj Precision Oncology 2021

  Dataset EGAD00001006904

• Whole Genome Sequencing of Mutifocal HCC tisue

  The differentiation of distinct multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): multicentric disease vs. intrahepatic metastases, in which the management and prognosis varies substantively, remains problematic. We aim to stratify multifocal HCC and identify novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers by performing whole genome and transcriptome sequencing, as part of a multi-omics strategy.

  Dataset EGAD00001003348

• Molecular Subtype-specific Biomarkers Improves Colorectal Cancer Prognostication

  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by major inter-tumor diversity that complicates the prediction of disease and treatment outcomes. Recent efforts help resolve this by sub-classification of CRC according to natural molecular subtypes, however, this strategy is not yet able to provide clinicians with improved tools for decision-making. We here present an extended framework for CRC stratification that specifically aims to improve patient prognostication. Using transcriptional profiles from 1,100 CRCs, including a novel set of >300 samples, we identify novel cancer cell and tumor archetypes and suggest the tumor microenvironment as a major prognostic determinant that can be influenced by the microbiome. Notably, our subtyping strategy allowed identification of novel archetype-specific prognostic biomarkers that provided information beyond and independent of UICC-TNM staging, MSI-status and consensus molecular subtyping. The results illustrate that our extended subtyping framework, combining subtyping and subtype-specific biomarkers, could contribute to improved patient prognostication and may form a strong basis for future studies.

  Study EGAS00001002376

• GRIDSS, PURPLE, LINX: Unscrambling the tumor genome via integrated analysis of structural variation and copy number

  We have developed a novel, integrated and comprehensive purity, ploidy, structural variant and copy number somatic analysis toolkit for whole genome sequencing data of paired tumor/normal samples. We show that the combination of using GRIDSS for somatic structural variant calling and PURPLE for somatic copy number alteration calling allows highly sensitive, precise and consistent copy number and structural variant determination, as well as providing novel insights for short structural variants and regions of complex local topology. LINX, an interpretation tool, leverages the integrated structural variant and copy number calling to cluster individual structural variants into higher order events and chains them together to predict local derivative chromosome structure. LINX classifies and extensively annotates genomic rearrangements including simple and reciprocal breaks, LINE, viral and pseudogene insertions, and complex events such as chromothripsis. LINX also comprehensively calls genic fusions including chained fusions. Finally, our toolkit provides novel visualisation methods providing insight into complex genomic rearrangements.

  Study EGAS00001004034

• Dynamics of multiple resistance mechanisms in plasma DNA and their clinical implications for NSCLC patients receiving EGFR-targeted therapies

  Background:The development of resistance mechanisms to targeted therapies is complicated by underlying tumour heterogeneity. When multiple resistance mechanisms co-exist, identifying the dominant driver(s) is critical for selection of treatment. Patients and methods:We studied the relative dynamics of multiple oncogenic drivers and resistance mechanisms in 50 patients with EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), during treatment with gefitinib and hydroxychloroquine (NCT00809237). We performed digital PCR and targeted deep sequencing of cell-free DNA from longitudinal plasma samples from all patients, and shallow whole genome sequencing of serial samples from three patients who underwent histological transformation to small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). ResultsEGFR activating mutations were assessed in tumour samples and accurately identified in plasma samples of 95% of patients (41/43). We identified additional mutations including EGFR T790M (31/50, 62%), TP53 (23/50, 46%), PIK3CA (7/50, 14%), and PTEN (4/50, 8%), and tracked their relative levels in plasma. Patients with both TP53 and EGFR mutations detected in plasma pre-treatment tended to have worse overall survival than those where only EGFR was detected. The resistance-conferring EGFR T790M mutation was identified in 62% of the patients who progressed. Changes in relative levels of T790M and activating mutations in EGFR corresponded to clinical responses in two patients who were given sequential treatments. Patients who progressed without T790M detected in plasma had worse PFS during TKI continuation, and developed alternative resistance mechanisms, that could be identified in plasma DNA, including SCLC-associated copy number changes and TP53 mutations, that tracked with progression and response to subsequent therapies. Conclusion:Longitudinal analysis of multiple oncogenic drivers in ctDNA may help identifying dominant mechanisms of resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies, and highlight the importance of monitoring genetic events that are not direct drug targets but provide non-invasive molecular information that may guide clinical management.

  Study EGAS00001002908

• Targeted Genomic Sequencing in Large Human Genes to Detect Induced Structural Variants

  Partial inhibition of DNA replication leads to de novo copy number variant (CNV) formation throughout the genome, especially at common fragile sites (CFSs). We previously showed that these hotspots for genome instability reside in late-replicating domains associated with large, transcribed genes. In this study, we performed targeted, error-corrected genomic sequencing of multiple large genes in several human cell lines. The svCapture pipeline was used to call novel structural variant junctions in co-analyzed samples. Multiple samples were analyzed from cell populations under different replication stresses, with suppression of DNA repair pathways, and in different cell cycle stages, to determine the mechanisms underlying CNV formation at these loci. Data are provided as raw genome sequencing reads and processed multi-sample VCF files with sequenced junctions encoded as breakends.

  Study phs003121

• The ClinSeq Project: Piloting Large-Scale Genome Sequencing for Research in Genomic Medicine

  ClinSeq is a pilot project to investigate the use of whole-genome sequencing as a tool for clinical research. By piloting the acquisition of large amounts of DNA sequence data from individual human subjects, we are fostering the development of hypothesis-generating approaches for performing research in genomic medicine, including the exploration of issues related to the genetic architecture of disease, implementation of genomic technology, informed consent, disclosure of genetic information, and archiving, analyzing, and displaying sequence data. In the initial phase of ClinSeq, we are enrolling roughly 1000 participants; the evaluation of each includes obtaining a detailed family and medical history, as well as a clinical evaluation. The participants are being consented broadly for research on many traits and for whole-genome sequencing. Initially, Sanger-based sequencing of 300-400 genes thought to be relevant to atherosclerosis is being performed, with the resulting data analyzed for rare, high-penetrance variants associated with specific clinical traits. The participants are also being consented to allow the contact of family members for additional studies of sequence variants to explore their potential association with specific phenotypes. Here, we present the general considerations in designing ClinSeq, preliminary results based on the generation of an initial 826 Mb of sequence data, the findings for several genes that serve as positive controls for the project, and our views about the potential implications of ClinSeq. The early experiences with ClinSeq illustrate how large-scale medical sequencing can be a practical, productive, and critical component of research in genomic medicine. Reprinted from Genome Res. 2009 Sep; 19(9): 1665-1674, with permission from Genome Research, PMID: 19602640.

  Study phs000971

• Genomic analysis reveals novel secondary drivers and progression pathways in skin basal cell carcinoma

  Basal cell carcinoma of the skin (BCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm in humans. BCC is primarily driven by the aberrant activation of the Sonic Hedgehog (Hh) pathway. However, its extensive phenotypical variation remains to be explained. The genetic profiling of 293 BCCs revealed the highest mutation rate observed in cancer (65 Mutations/Mb), with strong prevalence of UV-light signature mutations. 85% of BCCs harbored mutations in Hh pathway genes: mutually exclusive PTCH1 (73%) and SMO (20%) (P=6.6x10-8), SUFU (8%), and in TP53 (61%). 85% of BCCs also harbored secondary driver mutations in other genes implicated in BCC tumorigenesis. Recurrent secondary driver mutations were observed in MYCN (30%), PPP6C (15%), STK19 (10%), LATS1 (8%), ERBB2 (4%), PIK3CA (2%), RAC1 (1%) and N/K/H-RAS (2%). Loss of function (LoF) and deleterious missense mutations were observed in PTPN14 (23%), RB1 (8%) and FBXW7 (5%). In line with the mutational profiles detected by RNAseq, we observed activation of the Hh pathway as well as upregulation of target genes of the Hippo-YAP pathway and activation of MYCN target genes. The functional analysis of the novel tumorigenic driver mutations in MYCN, PTPN14 and LATS1 demonstrates their relevance in BCC tumorigenesis and provides an expanded molecular understanding of BCC.

  Study EGAS00001001540

• Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program in Whole Genome Sequencing of African and Asian Orofacial Clefts Case-Parent Triads

  The Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (Kids First) is a trans-NIH effort initiated in response to the 2014 Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act and supported by the NIH Common Fund. This program focuses on gene discovery in pediatric cancers and structural birth defects and the development of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Data Resource (Kids First Data Resource). All of the WGS and phenotypic data from this study are accessible through dbGaP and kidsfirstdrc.org, where other Kids First datasets can also be accessed. The focus of this study is to identify novel risk variants for OFC in Africa and Asian OFC case-parent triads through analysis of Whole Genome Sequencing data.

  Study phs001997

• Immune Response Targeted Panel + B/TCR Profiling + AbSeq + Sample Tag Multiplexing

  Multiomics data for a cohort of 20 COVID-19 patients (10 patients mild, 3 patients moderate, 4 patients severe, 3 patients critical) obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from longitudinally sampled at hospital admission, discharge, and 1 month thereafter. The data has been obtained a multiwell-based single-cell technology (BD Rhapsody) that includes the targeted expression of BD Immune Response Targeted Panel, the TCR/BCR profiling and a set of 52 surface proteins. The samples of the different patients at different collection times were labelled using a cell hashing strategy with the BD Single-Cell Multiplexing Kit (6 samples for each run).

  Dataset EGAD00001011319

• Detection of a recently described pre-T cell receptor-alpha immunodeficiency exclusively using whole genome sequencing

  In this study, we describe the role of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in providing a definitive diagnosis for a child with T cell deficiency, where targeted panel sequencing of SCID genes and whole exome sequencing had failed. A novel homozygous 8kb deletion in PTCRA, encoding pTCR, was identified. WGS sequence data from the proband, proband’s mother, and proband’s father are deposited.

  Dataset EGAD50000000866

• Integrated Genomic, Epigenetic, and Expression Analyses of Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

  Epithelial ovarian carcinoma of all subtypes has one of the worst outcomes of any human cancer. To improve our understanding of underlying biology and therapeutic possibilities in this disease, we performed whole genome sequencing, methylation, and expression analyses of a comprehensive set of 47 ovarian cancer cell lines representing different histologic tumor subtypes. Given the challenges of genomic analyses in tumors without matched normal samples, we developed novel approaches for detection of somatic alterations and used these to identify sequence, copy number, and rearrangement changes and integrated these with genome-wide epigenetic and expression alterations. Ovarian cancer cell lines had molecular changes in genes involved in cell cycle, PI3K, RAS, BRCA, chromatin regulating, and p53 pathways, and displayed global mutation and methylation changes similar to primary ovarian carcinoma. We identified alterations not previously implicated in ovarian cancer including amplification or overexpression of ASXL1 and H3F3B, deletion or underexpression of CDC73 and members of the TGF beta receptor pathway, including TGFBR2, SMAD3 and SMAD4, in-frame rearrangements of YAP1-MAML2 and IKZF2-ERBB4, and fusions involving MET, NF1, FBXW7 and CCND1. Integrating cell line alterations with dose-response data using three targeted therapies revealed novel molecular dependencies, including increased sensitivity of tumors with PIK3CA and PPP2R1A alterations to PI3K inhibitor GNE-493, those with MYC amplifications to PARP inhibitor BMN673, and SMAD4 alterations to MEK inhibitor MEK162. Genome-wide analyses revealed intrachromosomal rearrangements as an improved measure of sensitivity to PARP inhibition compared to the homologous recombination defect (HRD) score. This study provides a comprehensive resource of molecular information for ovarian cancer cell line models and a pharmacogenomic platform for developing rational cancer therapeutic strategies.

  Study EGAS00001002998

• Hereditary Cancer Predisposition Syndromes and Uveal Melanoma

  Uveal melanoma (UM) is a subtype of melanoma characterized by the strong contribution of genetic rather than environmental factors in the pathogenesis of the disease, making it an ideal model disease to study the genetic basis of cancer. The long-term goal of our laboratory is to determine the genes and mechanisms responsible for hereditary cancer predisposition associated with UM. BAP1 has been identified as a candidate gene with definitive association with predisposition to UM. However, pathogenic variants in BAP1 are detected in only a small subset of UM patients even those with strong personal and family history of cancer suggesting the existence of other candidate genes. The goal of this project is to identify novel candidate genes contributing to hereditary predisposition to UM in patients with no detectable germline pathogenic variant in BAP1.

  Study phs001943

• Disease Variant Landscape of a Large Multiethnic Population of Moyamoya Patients by Exome Sequencing

  We report a significant advance in Moyamoya disease (MMD) research through our unique access to a large MMD patient population combined with high depth exome sequencing and bioinformatics. We confirm a reported RNF213 founder mutation (FM), provide evidence for its ethnic specificity and identify novel variants in other genes that associate with Caucasian and non-RNF213 FM MMD. This work has a broader impact in vascular research by highlighting novel genetic aspects of cerebrovascular disease. Moyamoya Disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular disorder characterized by unilateral or bilateral progressive stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery, with frequent involvement of the anterior cerebral artery and the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Fragile collateral vessels subsequently develop and are particularly prone to hemorrhage. MMD patients are usually diagnosed angiographically following presentation of developmental delays, seizures, migraines, ischemia, and/or hemorrhage. The most common approach to re-establish normal blood flow is bypass surgery. While some progress has been made in identifying disease-associated genes, the underlying disease biology is not well understood. Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare cerebrovascular disease. Our unique access to a large MMD patient population combined with high depth exome sequencing and bioinformatics has led to a significant advance in the field. We confirm a reported RNF213 founder mutation (FM), provide evidence for its ethnic specificity and identify novel variants in other genes that associate with Caucasian and non-RNF213 FM MMD. This work has a broader impact in vascular research by highlighting novel genetic aspects of cerebrovascular disease. The 125 ethnically diverse, unrelated MMD patients were matched based on sex and broad ethnic category to 125 controls. Control DNA from the 1000 Genomes project was used to design a control Library by Personalis. 125 controls were selected from this Personalis Control DNA Library for our study. (The 1000 Genomes Project Consortium 2012). Genomic DNA was extracted using the Gentra Puregene kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA). Libraries were prepared from approximately 3 µg of high quality genomic DNA (50-200 ng/µl) using Illumina TruSeq Genomic DNA High throughput Sample Prep Kits (Illumina, San Diego, CA) and exome enrichment (targeting 62Mb) was accomplished using the TruSeq Exome Target Enrichment kit (Illumina, San Diego, CA), all according to manufacturer's protocols. Target enrichment validation was confirmed by determining the concentration of the library by PicoGreen-based quantitation. Library yields ranged from 100-1000ng of DNA, a portion of which was run on the Bioanalyzer HS DNA chip (Agilent, Santa Clara, CA), with an average size of 300-550nt for DNA fragments. Exome Sequencing. Sequencing was performed using Illumina Hiseq2000 or HiSeq2500 sequencers with single lane, paired-end 2X100bp reads. DNA fragments were generated and amplified using Clonal Single Molecule Array technology (Illumina, San Diego, CA). The sequences were determined using the Clonal Single Molecule Array and Sequencing-by-Synthesis using Illumina's instrumentation and Reversible Terminator Chemistry. Each sequencing lane interrogated the DNA sequences of a pool of 3 individual sample libraries each carrying a unique index. Sequencing reads of at least 2x100bp in length for a total of approximately 8 Gb of sequence data were generated for each sample.

  Study phs001700

• Exome sequencing reveals pathogenic variants in known and novel candidate genes for severe sperm motility disorders.

  The dataset is composed by the raw and processed sequencing data generated from 8 Australian Patients and 13 Argentinian Patients affected by a form of male infertility characterised by vital, but immotile sperm often in combination with a spectrum of structural abnormalities of the sperm flagellum.

  Dataset EGAD00001007085

• whole genome sequence data of multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma

  Background & Aims: The differentiation of distinct multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): multicentric disease vs. intrahepatic metastases, in which the management and prognosis varies substantively, remains problematic. We aim to stratify multifocal HCC and identify novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers by performing whole genome and transcriptome sequencing, as part of a multi-omics strategy Methods: A complete collection of tumour and somatic specimens (intrahepatic HCC lesions, matched non-cancerous liver tissue and blood) were obtained from representative patientswith multifocal HCC exhibiting two distinct postsurgical courses. Whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing with genotyping were performed for each tissue specimen to con-trast genomic alterations, including hepatitis B virus integrations, somatic mutations, copy number variations, and structural variations. We then constructed a phylogenetic tree to visualise individual tumour evolution and performed functional enrichment analyses on select differentially expressed genes to elucidate biological processes involved in multifocal HCC development. Multi-omics data were integrated with detailed clinicopathological information to identify HCC biomarkers, which were further validated using a large cohort of HCC patients (n = 174).Results: The multi-omics pro?ling and tumour biomarkers could successfully distinguish the two multifocal HCC types, while accurately predicting clonality and aggressiveness. The dual speci?city protein kinase TTK, which is a key mitotic checkpoint regulator with links to p53 signaling, was further shown to be a promising overall prognostic marker for HCC in the large patient cohort.Conclusions: Comprehensive multi-omics characterisation of multifocal tumour evolution may improve clinical decision-making, facilitate personalised medicine, and expedite identi?cation of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HCC.

  Study EGAS00001002338

• Poly(A) RNA sequencing of hepatocellular carcinoma tumors and their matched noncancerous liver tissues

  Background & Aims: The differentiation of distinct multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): multicentric disease vs. intrahepatic metastases, in which the management and prognosis varies substantively, remains problematic. We aim to stratify multifocal HCC and identify novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers by performing whole genome and transcriptome sequencing, as part of a multi-omics strategy Methods: A complete collection of tumour and somatic specimens (intrahepatic HCC lesions, matched non-cancerous liver tissue and blood) were obtained from representative patientswith multifocal HCC exhibiting two distinct postsurgical courses. Whole-genome and transcriptome sequencing with genotyping were performed for each tissue specimen to con-trast genomic alterations, including hepatitis B virus integrations, somatic mutations, copy number variations, and structural variations. We then constructed a phylogenetic tree to visualise individual tumour evolution and performed functional enrichment analyses on select differentially expressed genes to elucidate biological processes involved in multifocal HCC development. Multi-omics data were integrated with detailed clinicopathological information to identify HCC biomarkers, which were further validated using a large cohort of HCC patients (n = 174).Results: The multi-omics profiling and tumour biomarkers could successfully distinguish the two multifocal HCC types, while accurately predicting clonality and aggressiveness. The dual specificity protein kinase TTK, which is a key mitotic checkpoint regulator with links to p53 signaling, was further shown to be a promising overall prognostic marker for HCC in the large patient cohort.Conclusions: Comprehensive multi-omics characterisation of multifocal tumour evolution may improve clinical decision-making, facilitate personalised medicine, and expedite identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HCC.

  Study EGAS00001002337

• scRNA-seq of a 3D human cortical tissue model from human iPSCs exploring 2D versus 3D co-culturing

  Single-cell RNA-seq analysis of human iPSC-derived microglia/astrocytes/neurons in a novel, human in vitro 3D cortical tissue model, as well as 2D co-cultures for comparison. Samples include distinct conditions as described in the Study section. The dataset was generated using the BD Rhapsody technology and sequenced paired-end with Illumina NovaSeq2000. Information on the multiplexing of samples is reported in the Analyses section.

  Dataset EGAD50000002021

• CIDR, NCI, NIDA Sequencing of Targeted Genomic Regions Associated with Smoking

  This study includes samples from two projects: Collaborative Genetic Study of Nicotine Dependence (COGEND; PI: Laura Bierut) and Genetic Study of Nicotine Dependence in African Americans (AAND; PI: Laura Bierut and Eric Johnson). The majority of the COGEND subjects included in the current study overlap with the two datasets already available on dbGaP. GWAS data are available for COGEND subjects through the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE), dbGaP study accession phs000092. It should be noted that the case definition in the SAGE study is DSM-IV alcohol dependence. GWAS data are available for additional COGEND subjects through The Genetic Architecture of Smoking and Smoking Cessation, dbGaP study accession phs000404. The overall goal of this project is to apply deep sequencing to key genomic regions associated with nicotine dependence in order to accelerate the discovery of variation in molecular pathways that govern the development of nicotine dependence. The sample includes unrelated cases and controls of European American and African American descent. Cases are defined by a commonly used definition of nicotine dependence, a current score of 4 or more (maximum score of 10) on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Control status is defined as an individual who smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their lifetime, yet never became dependent (lifetime FTND<2). By selecting controls who smoked cigarettes, we focus on those genetic effects that are specific to the development of nicotine dependence. COGEND: COGEND was initiated in 2001 as a three-part program project grant funded through the National Cancer Institute (NCI; PI: Laura Bierut). The three projects included a study of the familial transmission of nicotine dependence, a genetic study of nicotine dependence, and a study of the relationship of nicotine dependence with nicotine metabolism. The primary goal was to detect, localize, and characterize genes that predispose or protect an individual with respect to heavy tobacco consumption, nicotine dependence, and related phenotypes and to integrate these findings with the family transmission and nicotine metabolism findings. The primary design was a community based case-control study. Nicotine dependent cases and non-dependent, smoking controls were identified and recruited from Detroit and St. Louis. More than 54,000 subjects aged 25-44 years were screened by telephone; more than 3,100 subjects were personally interviewed; and more than 2,900 subjects donated blood samples for genetic studies. AAND: AAND was initiated in 2009 to identify and characterize genetic determinants of nicotine dependence in a large African American population. Community-based recruitment of approximately 100,000 people was conducted to ascertain 1,000 African American nicotine dependent cases and 1,000 African American non-dependent, smoking controls. All subjects were between the ages of 25-44. Subjects were screened by telephone; if they qualified as a case or control, they completed the same interview that was used in COGEND and donated a blood sample. Both studies (COGEND and AAND) included measures of basic socio-demographic variables, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, family income, and educational attainment using the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Nicotine Dependence. Information on nicotine dependence, as assessed by the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) is available for all subjects. In addition, participants also completed the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS; Shiffman et al., 2004) and the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM-68; Piper et al, 2004). All subjects were assessed in person by trained research assistants.

  Study phs000813

• Next Generation Mendelian Genetics: Malignant Hyperthermia

  Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a genetic disorder that causes a profound metabolic derangement following exposure to certain anesthetics. While approximately half of all cases are associated with ryanodine receptor-1 gene (RYR1) mutations, many cases have an unknown genetic cause. We sought to identify rare variants in novel MH candidate genes by sequencing the protein-coding regions of the genomes of individuals whose disease was either ruled in or out by the gold-standard diagnostic test. We also carefully selected individuals from well-characterized families to use gene-sharing information and maximize efficiency in the study design. Exome sequencing has helped identify the causes of over a dozen Mendelian disorders, has high power at low sample sizes, and is cost-efficient compared to whole-genome sequencing.

  Study phs000405

• GWAS for Membranous Nephropathy

  Primary membranous nephropathy (MN) is a rare autoimmune cause of kidney failure. This dataset is from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) designed to identify novel genetic risk loci for MN. The provided cohort (named as European-1 Cohort) is composed of 611 cases of primary MN and 1,246 healthy controls of European ancestry. This cohort was used in the GWAS meta-analysis, as described in the manuscript entitled "Genetic architecture of membranous nephropathy and its potential diagnostic implications" (Nature Communications 2020, in press).The genome-wide summary statistics, including trans-ethnic meta-analysis across 8 GWAS cohorts of European and East Asian ancestry and ethnicity specific meta-analyses, are freely available for download on the Kiryluk lab website: http://www.columbiamedicine.org/divisions/kiryluk/resources.php.

  Study phs001984

• Capmatinib shows superior efficacy for MET-fusion driven pediatric high-grade glioma and synergizes with radiotherapy

  Pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) is the most frequent malignant brain tumor in children and can be subclassified into multiple entities. Fusion genes activating the MET receptor tyrosine kinase often occur in infant-type hemispheric glioma (IHG) but also in other pHGGs, and are associated with devastating morbidity and mortality. To identify new treatment options, we established and characterized two novel orthotopic mouse models harboring distinct MET fusions. These included an immunocompetent, murine allograft model and patient-derived orthotopic xenografts (PDOX) from a MET-fusion iHG patient who failed conventional therapy and targeted therapy with cabozantinib. With these models, we analyzed the efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties of three MET inhibitors, capmatinib, crizotinib and cabozantinib, alone or combined with radiotherapy (RT).

  Study EGAS50000000137

• Cergentis FFPE-TLC

  In this study, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded targeted locus capture (FFPE-TLC) sequencing is used as a novel technology for targeted detection of tumor-specific genomic structural variants (SVs) in the primary tumor of 29 colorectal cancer patients with metastatic disease. The tumor region was macrodissected and sequenced for 29 patients, and the "normal" region of the same slide was macrodissected and sequenced for 8 of these patients. SVs were found in the common fragile site (CFS)-associated genes MACROD2, PRKN, FHIT and WWOX as well as SVs caused by three LINE transposable elements. Tumor-specificity of selected SVs was independently verified by droplet digital PCR of tumor tissue DNA and their applicability as plasma circulating tumor DNA biomarkers was demonstrated.

  Study EGAS50000000427

• Spatial map of microglia states across CNS diseases

  Microglia are the key immune cells involved in virtually all diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we generated a novel large-scale single-cell RNA-sequencing-derived taxonomy through the analysis of > 1 million CNS cells enriched for myeloid cells across > 15 different pathologies and conditions. Disease-associated human microglia, together with CNS-associated macrophages and monocytes, were differentiated iteratively into 27 superclusters and 192 clusters. This top-down approach, in combination with targeted and genome-wide subcellular spatial transcriptomics, enabled us to examine and compare the spatial interactome of the identified superclusters and clusters within and across pathologies. Our data provide new insights into the spatial dynamics of the endogenous CNS immune system during development, health and disease in humans.

  Study EGAS50000001289

• WES of der(1;7)(q10;p10)

  This dataset contains the BAM files of WES of 26 myeloid neoplasm patients with der(1;7)(q10;p10)(+) cases. The dataset was used to identify key driver genes in patients with der(1;7)(q10;p10). Already known drivers along with novel driver genes were identified through the use of this WES.

  Dataset EGAD50000000986

• Exome sequencing of a novel cervical cancer cell line

  In this work, we establish and characterized a low-passage cervix cancer cell line from a Brazilian patient with squamous cell carcinoma. The dataset contains three samples from the same patient (blood, tumor tissue and the primary cell line). The technology used was exome sequencing and the file type available is fastq files.

  Dataset EGAD00001004480

• Nala TAS-LRS PGx Study

  Pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing improves medication safety and efficacy by identifying genetic variants that affect drug response. However, current technologies often fail to resolve complex loci, detect structural variants, or phase alleles accurately. Here, we present an end-to-end PGx workflow based on Targeted Adaptive Sampling-Long Read Sequencing (TAS-LRS), integrating a streamlined laboratory protocol with a bioinformatics pipeline that includes a novel CYP2D6 caller. Using 1,000 ng of DNA and three-sample multiplexing on a single PromethION flow cell, the assay achieves consistent on-target (25x) and off-target (3x) coverage, enabling accurate, haplotype-resolved testing of 35 pharmacogenes alongside genome-wide genotyping from off-target reads. We further developed the workflow into a clinically ready service and validated its performance across 17 reference and clinical samples. The assay demonstrated high concordance for small variants (99.9%) and structural variants (>95%), with phased diplotypes and metabolizer phenotypes reaching 97.7% and 98.0% concordance, respectively. Improved calls were observed in 12 genes due to enhanced genotyping, phasing, or novel allele detection. In addition, off-target reads supported accurate genome-wide imputation, comparable to short-read sequencing and superior to microarrays. These results establish the feasibility of long-read sequencing for clinical PGx testing and position TAS-LRS as a scalable solution combining both targeted and genome-wide utility.

  Study EGAS50000001116

• Sequential single-cell transcriptional and protein marker profiling reveals TIGIT as a marker of CD19 CAR-T cell dysfunction in patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

  Employed single cell RNA sequencing and protein surface marker profiling of serialCAR-T cell samples from patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) to reveal CAR-T cell evolution, identify biomarkers of response, and test for evidence of exhaustion inCAR-T cells of poor responders. At the transcriptional and protein levels, we note the evolution of CAR-T cells toward a non-proliferative, highly-differentiated, andexhausted state that is enriched in CAR-T cells of patients with poor response.Furthermore, we identified the checkpoint receptor TIGIT as a novel prognosticbiomarker and potential driver of CAR-T cell exhaustion.

  Study EGAS00001005356

• Parallel CRISPR Editing of Familial ALS Mutations

  Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a modeling system for human disease within the critical context of the human genome. CRISPR editing of iPSCs allows the construction of isogenic pairs where the cells have nearly identical genomes except for the desired edited change. Here, we used CRISPR editing on a healthy control line to generate three new isogenic iPSC lines that each contains a different familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) mutation (TARDBP[G298S/+], SOD1[G85R/+], and PFN1[G118V/+]). As controls for each mutation, we retained iPSC lines that went through the editing process but did not have the desired heterozygous mutation. We have also performed editing in a patient cell line with a hexanucleotide repeat in C9ORF72. This edit mutates a non-canonical start codon upstream of the hexanucleotide repeat. These edited lines have been used in three different studies:(1) In “Human sensorimotor organoids derived from healthy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis stem cells form neuromuscular junctions” (PMID: 34362895), we performed exome sequencing to confirm the absence of off-target CRISPR events. We also performed single-cell sequencing on sensorimotor organoids from a second healthy control iPSC line, which is deposited alongside the exome sequencing data.(2) In “iPSC motor neurons, but not other derived cell types, capture gene expression changes in postmortem sporadic ALS motor neurons (PMID: 37651231), we differentiated these isogenic lines into motor neurons, sensory neurons, cortical neurons, and astrocytes and then performed bulk RNA-sequencing. We then assessed similarities between fALS mutations, differences between cell types, and the capacity of iPSC modeling to capture differentially expressed genes in postmortem sporadic ALS motor neurons.(3) In "Blocking RAN translation without altering RNA foci rescues C9ORF72-related ALS/FTD phenotypes" (Jiang et al. 2025), we mutate a non-canonical start codon upstream of a hexanucleotide repeat in C9ORF72. This mitigates several phenotypes related to neurodegeneration.

  Study phs002440

• Highlights from 2025: Our top 10 requested studies

  In 2025, as in previous years, EGA has facilitated the reuse of numerous datasets spanning a broad range of research and healthcare topics. To reflect on this activity, we would like to highlight the top 10 studies behind the most requested datasets of last year. Notably, the vast majority of these highly requested datasets are cancer-focused, particularly involving the study of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become one of the most transformative advances in modern cancer therapy. These monoclonal antibodies enhance antitumor immune responses by targeting inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules. While ICIs have led to remarkably favorable and durable responses in some patients, treatment outcomes vary widely. This variability has fueled intense research efforts aimed at understanding resistance mechanisms, exploring combination therapies, and discovering predictive biomarkers to better stratify patients and guide treatment decisions. Study Title Disease 1 EGAS00001005503 Integrated genomic analyses reveal molecular correlates of clinical response and resistance to atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma Liver Cancer 2 EGAS00001005013 Intratumoral plasma cells predict outcomes to PD-L1 blockade in non-small cell lung cancer Lung Cancer 3 EGAS00001004809 BIOKEY: A single-cell catalogue of the dynamic changes underlying Checkpoint Immunotherapy response in Early Breast Cancer Breast Cancer 4 EGAS50000000138 BIOKEY: Immune heterogeneity in small cell lung cancer and vulnerability to immune checkpoint blockade Lung Cancer 5 EGAS50000000497 Bladder cancer subtyping study across 4 atezo clinical trials Bladder Cancer 6 EGAS50000000689 MOSAIC - Multi-Omics Spatial Atlas In Cancer Cancer Atlas 7 EGAS00000000083 METABRIC (Breast cancer - genome and transcriptome) Breast Cancer 8 EGAS00001005702 Human genomic and phenotypic synthetic data for the study of rare diseases Synthetic data 9 EGAS00001002556 TGF-β attenuates tumour response to PD-L1 blockade by contributing to exclusion of T cells Bladder Cancer 10 EGAS00001004353 Molecular subsets in renal cancer determine outcome to checkpoint and angiogenesis blockade Renal Cancer The most requested dataset of the year was EGAD00001008128. It belongs to a study that analyzed 358 liver cancer patients enrolled in clinical trials and treated with the combination of atezolizumab (anti–PD-L1) and bevacizumab (anti-VEGF), atezolizumab alone, or sorafenib. The study highlights how bevacizumab enhances anti-PD-L1 effect and identifies candidate biomarkers to predict treatment response. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide [1]. Because symptoms often appear late, many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, when curative options are no longer viable. For many years, sorafenib—a multikinase inhibitor approved in 2007—was the only systemic treatment available. Although numerous clinical trials followed, it was not until a decade later that additional therapies showed meaningful clinical benefit. Among these advances, immunotherapy emerged as a promising first-line option [2]. In particular, the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab demonstrated improved survival in patients with advanced HCC, reshaping the treatment landscape. However, treatment efficacy remains limited by the complex and diverse hepatic microenvironments that influence immune responses, as well as by high intratumoral heterogeneity. Identifying robust predictors of treatment response is critical to enable effective patient stratification and maximize the benefits of these therapies [2]. The continued demand for these datasets highlights the interest and critical role of data reuse in deepening our understanding of cancer, accelerating the development of more effective therapies, and improving patient outcomes. By providing secure access to high-quality genomic and clinical data, EGA acts as a catalyst for biomedical progress. References Sung, Hyuna, et al. "Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries."CA: a cancer journal for clinicians 71.3 (2021): 209-249. Ladd, Alexandra D, et al.“Mechanisms of drug resistance in HCC.” Hepatology 79(4) (2024): 926-940

  Blog top-10-studies-2025

• Novel genes for Intellectual Disability identified using whole genome sequence and pathway analysis

  Intellectual Disability (ID) is one of the most common global disorders. However for ~30% of patients with ID no cause is identified, despite a clinical diagnostic odyssey that includes genome wide clinical microarray (CMA). We carefully selected 8 trios, each composed of a child with ID and brain structural defect, and both normal parents for whole genome sequencing (WGS). We conducted WGS on the trio and filtered out de novo single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and then used a pathway-based refinement to select candidates. We confirmed a de novo pathogenic SNV in ARID1B, and likely pathogenic SNVs in CACNB3, SPRY4, PHF6, SQSTM1 and UPF1 in 5 of the 8 children. All genes except ARID1B and PHF6 are previously unreported for ID. We analysed our WGS data using 4 independent algorthims for copy number and structural variation including using de novo whole genome assembly. We confirmed one likely contributory 165kb de novo CNV (missed by CMA). We conducted a validation study of over 2000 exomes for our novel candidate genes and also present a strategy to analyze the non-coding sequence space. This study provides an extensive analysis of WGS in the context of ID and yielded causative variants in >60% of cases.

  Study EGAS00001001386

• Effects of busulfan, fludarabine and clofarabine treatment on human small intestinal organoids generated from healthy donors

  The intestine is vulnerable to chemotherapy-induced toxicity due to its high epithelial proliferative rate, making gut toxicity an off-target effect in several cancer treatments, including conditioning regimens for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HSCT). In HSCT, intestinal damage is an important factor in the development of Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD), an immune complication in which donor immune cells attack the recipient's tissues. Here, we developed a novel human intestinal organoid-based 3D model system to study the effects of chemotherapy-induced intestinal epithelial damage at the RNA level. We show that chemotherapy conditioning specifically reprograms the intestinal epithelial transcriptome after treatment with either busulfan (3.5μM), fludarabine (15μM) or clofarabine (0.5μM) for 24h. This knowledge can potentially enable us to understand which changes undergo in healthy tissues upon conditioning and how those are related with immune activation typical in GVHD.

  Study EGAS00001007550

• Single Cell Analysis of Pulmonary Fibrosis

  Pulmonary fibrosis is a heterogenous syndrome in which fibrotic scar replaces normal lung tissue. We performed massively parallel single-cell RNA-Seq on lung tissue from eight lung transplant donors and eight patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Combined with in situ RNA hybridization, with amplification, these data provide a molecular atlas of disease pathobiology. We identified a distinct, novel population of profibrotic alveolar macrophages exclusively in patients with fibrosis. Within epithelial cells, the expression of genes involved in Wnt secretion and response was restricted to non-overlapping cells. We identified rare cell populations including airway stem cells and senescent cells emerging during pulmonary fibrosis. Analysis of a cryobiopsy specimen from a patient with early disease supports the clinical application of single-cell RNA-Seq to develop personalized approaches to therapy.

  Study phs001750

• GWAS for IgA Nephropathy

  IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common form of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis characterized by glomerular deposition of IgA-containing immune complexes and manifesting with hematuria, proteinuria, and often kidney failure. This dataset is from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) designed to identify novel genetic risk loci for IgAN. In this dataset, seven cohorts were genotyped by Illumina Multi-Ethnic Global Array, consisting of 3,337 IgAN cases and 2,177 healthy controls of European and East Asian ancestries. Three of the provided cohorts were genotyped by Illumina HumanImmuno Chip, which are composed of 2007 cases of IgAN of European ancestry. These cohorts were used in the GWAS meta-analysis, as described in the manuscript entitled "GWAS defines pathogenic signaling pathways and prioritizes drug targets for IgA nephropathy" (Nature Genetics 2022, in press).

  Study phs000431

• Evolutionary Origins of Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer

  Surgery is the only curative option for patients with Stage I/II pancreatic cancer, nonetheless most patients will recur after surgery and die of their disease. To identify novel opportunities for management of recurrent pancreatic cancer we performed whole exome or targeted sequencing of 10 resected primary cancers and their matched intrapancreatic recurrences or distant metastases. We identified that recurrent disease develops from a monophyletic or polyphyletic origin, and this distinction has potential clinical relevance. In all patients, treatment induced genetic bottlenecks led to a modified genetic landscape and subclonal heterogeneity for driver gene alterations in part due to intermetastatic seeding. In one patient what was believed to be recurrent disease was an independent (second) primary tumor. These findings strongly advocate for routine post-treatment sampling in the management of recurrent pancreatic cancer.

  Study EGAS00001004097

• The coding and non-coding transcriptional landscape of subependymal giant cell astrocytomas

  Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominantly inherited neurocutaneous disorder caused by inactivating mutations in TSC1 or TSC2, key regulators of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway. In the central nervous system TSC is characterized by cortical tubers, subependymal nodules and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs). SEGAs may lead to the impaired circulation of cerebrospinal fluid resulting in hydrocephalus and raised intracranial pressure in patients with TSC. Currently, surgical resection and mTORC1 inhibitors are the recommended treatment options for patients with SEGA. Here, we performed RNA-Seq and small RNA-Seq on SEGAs (n=19) and periventricular controls (n=8) to gain a better understanding of the underlying molecular basis of SEGAs, so that novel treatment targets could be identified.

  Study EGAS00001003787

• Systems biology of Colorectal Cancer

  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in both males and females, and it is perhaps the best understood of all epithelial tumors in terms of its molecular origin. Yet, despite large amount of work that has concentrated on understanding of colon tumorigenesis, we still do not know the full complement of molecular lesions that are individually necessary – and together sufficient – to cause colorectal cancer. Neither do we understand why some specific mutations that are relatively rare in other tumors (e.g. loss of the APC tumor suppressor) are extremely common in colorectal cancer. We propose here to use the tools of systems biology to develop a quantitative and comprehensive model of colorectal tumorigenesis. The model will include identification of cell-type specific and oncogenic pathways that contribute to colon tumorigenesis, and explain in molecular detail how a genotype of an individual CRC leads to activation of downstream genes that drive uncontrolled cell growth. This model will subsequently be used to find novel therapeutic targets, to guide genetic screening to identify individuals with elevated risk for developing CRC, and to classify patients into molecular subgroups to select the treatment combination that is optimal for each patient (personalized medicine). The specific objectives of the SYSCOL project are: 1. Identify genetic markers for individual risk using genotyping and sequencing of constitutional DNA from sporadic and familial CRC cases and controls 2. Identify genes and regulatory elements that contribute to colorectal cancer cell growth 3. Use data from Aims 1-2 to develop a quantitative model for colorectal tumorigenesis 4. Apply the model for identification of high-risk individuals, for molecular classification of the disease, and for identification of novel molecular treatment targets

  Study EGAS00001000854

• Regenerative effects of MSC treatment on busulfan-induced small intestine damaged organoids.

  Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative treatment for leukemia and a range of non-malignant disorders. The success of the therapy is hampered by occurrence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD); an inflammatory response damaging recipient organs, with gut, liver, and skin being the most susceptible. Intestinal GvHD injury is often a life-threatening complication in patients unresponsive to steroid treatment. Second-line available therapies are immunosuppressants or mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC) infusions. Data from our institution and others demonstrate rescue of approximately 40-50% of patients suffering from aGvHD with mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) and minor side effects. Although promising, the better understanding of MSC mode of action and patient response to MSC-based therapy is essential to improve this lifesaving treatment. Here, we developed a novel 3D co-culture model of human small intestinal organoids and MSCs, which allows to study the regenerative effects of MSCs on intestinal epithelium in a more physiologically relevant setting than existing in vitro systems. Using this model we mimicked chemotherapy-mediated damage of the intestinal epithelium. The treatment with busulfan, the chemotherapeutic commonly used as conditioning regiment before the HSCT, affected pathways regulating EMT, proliferation, and apoptosis in small intestinal organoids, as shown by transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. The co-culture of busulfan treated intestinal organoids with MSCs reversed the effects of busulfan on the transcriptome and proteome of intestinal epithelium, which we also confirmed by functional evaluation of proliferation and apoptosis. Collectively, we demonstrate that our novel in vitro co-culture system is a new valuable tool to facilitate the investigation of the molecular mechanisms behind the therapeutic effects of MSCs on damaged intestinal epithelium.

  Study EGAS00001007432

• National Cancer Institute (NCI) Head and Neck Cancer Study

  Head and neck cancers have well-documented associations with tobacco and alcohol exposure, but the disease develops in only a small fraction of users, which implies an important role for genetic susceptibility. Therefore, head and neck cancers are an excellent model for studying genetic susceptibility to environmental carcinogens. The primary goal of this study is to perform a comprehensive two-stage, high-density, genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis of head and neck cancer cases and corresponding frequency matched controls to identify novel genetic risk factors for head and neck cancer. In the study, we genotyped 2242 head and neck cancer cases and 1198 controls using Illumina HumanOmniExpress-12v1 BeadChip.

  Study phs001173

• The Genomic Analysis of Medulloblastoma

  Medulloblastoma is a heterogenous disease made up of at least four distinct subtypes of disease which appear to exploit and disrupt naturally occurring developmental pathways of cellular growth and hindbrain development. To better understand the driver mutations of this disease, we performed whole genome sequencing of 37 medulloblastomas and the corresponding normal DNA of the 37 affected children treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We have found several novel mutations which appear subtype specific. These mutations were checked for frequency in a separate tumor cohort of 56 children with medulloblastoma, also treated on the St. Jude Medulloblastoma 2003 trial, and were tested in several animal models of medulloblastoma for proof of oncogenic potential.

  Study phs000409

• Clinical and genetic analysis of retinopathy of prematurity - GWAS

  This project aims to identify genetic variants that contribute to the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). ROP is a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide. We have performed a genome wide association study (GWAS) using Illumina Global Screening Array (GSA) BeadChip. For this GWAS design we assembled the largest group of ROP patients described to date: around 1000 ROP patients in total. Demographic and phenotypic information associated with each sample includes gestational age, gender, ethnicity, multiple birth status, presence of ROP, and birth weight. The results of this study will help advance our understanding of the genetic susceptibility to ROP and may result in novel treatment options to slow the progression of the disease.

  Study phs002020

• Splicing signature analysis of RNU2-2 samples

  Dominant pathogenic variants in the snRNA RNU2-2 were recently reported as a cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. In our study we identified additional individuals with dominant variants (n.4G>A and n.35A>G) and we also identified biallelic variants as a novel frequent cause of neurodevelopmental disorder. We obtained blood samples and performed short-term lymhocytes cultures for 19 cases (5 n.4; 5 n.35; 9 biallelic). We generated exome-capture RNA-Seq for these cases that we compared to 49 controls (probands affected from a neurodevelopmental disorder but without RNU2-2 variants). We observed that RNU2-2 variants mainly disturb alternative exon skipping, although affecting different exons.

  Study EGAS50000001410

• Genetic landscape of pediatric Medulloblastoma

  Medulloblastoma is a heterogenous disease made up of at least four distinct subtypes of disease which appear to exploit and disrupt naturally occurring developmental pathways of cellular growth and hindbrain development. To better understand the driver mutations of this disease, we performed whole genome sequencing of 37 medulloblastomas and the corresponding normal DNA of the 37 affected children treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We have found several novel mutations which appear subtype specific. These mutations were checked for frequency in a separate tumor cohort of 56 children with medulloblastoma, also treated on the St. Jude Medulloblastoma 2003 trial, and were tested in several animal models of medulloblastoma for proof of oncogenic potential.

  Study EGAS00001000347

• Chip_seq_oesophageal_adenocarcinoma_

  There is complex interplay between underlying genetic sequence and epigenetic factors, however this interplay is still illusive. Massively reconstructed cancer genomes can be used in order to better understand this relationship. Six oesophageal adenocarcinoma organoids will be sequenced using long read sequencing technologies and will be profiled for a range of epigenetic marks. Combination of genetic and epigenetic data will allow the thorough characterisation of reference cancer genomes and will provide novel insights into mechanisms of gene regulation. Description: Chip-seq Sequencing of 5 patient derived organoid cell models. Each model was derived from a piece of patient tumour taken following surgical rescetion of the tumour. All model derivations took place with the CGaP facility in Sanger.

  Study EGAS00001007180

• Genome-Wide Discovery of Novel Colon Cancer Predisposing Mutations

  Cancer risk shows clear heritability, but the inherited genetic factors remain largely unknown. This project will seek to identify new genes in which mutations confer hereditary risk for early onset colorectal cancer, with important implications for both biological understanding and clinical prediction and prevention. Identifying cancer predisposing mutations can provide new biological insights and significantly impact important clinical decision making regarding treatment, surveillance and preventive approaches. Hereditary colon cancer patients commonly present to Cancer Genetics clinics, but the majority of these patients do not have identifiable mutations in known candidate genes. We have performed whole exome sequencing to discover novel colorectal cancer susceptibility genes. The patients have been recruited from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (PIs Kenneth Offit, Nathan Ellis, and Zsofia Stadler), and Case Western University and University Hospitals of Cleveland (PIs Joseph Willis and Sanford Markowitz). All exome sequencing was performed at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT; samples sequence capture was performed using Agilent SureSelect Human All Exon Kit v2 and sequencing was performed on an Illumina HiSeq 2000 or 2500.

  Study phs000824

• APC-related multiple salivary gland lesions

  This study aims to investigate the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying a novel phenotype of attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP), where affected individuals develop multiple salivary gland tumours, including basal cell adenomas and adenocarcinomas.

  Study EGAS50000001159

• GATA2 Deficiency and the MonoMAC Syndrome

  The aim of this study was to identify the germline mutation(s) in an extended family with individuals having MonoMAC Syndrome/GATA2 deficiency but lacking a canonical GATA2 mutation. GATA2 deficiency patients develop bone marrow failure, severe immunodeficiency and may progress to myeloid malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). The definitive treatment for GATA2 deficiency is a bone marrow transplant. Approximately 90% of GATA2 deficiency patients have a known de novo or inherited germline mutation in the GATA2 gene, but ~10% have no identified mutation. The study was initiated with the first patient and her second cousin, both of whom were treated for MonoMAC Syndrome and received bone marrow transplants at the NIH. Pedigree analysis and clinical evaluation identified the individuals in several generations of these patients' near and distant relatives who are/were presenting or carrying the disease manifestations of GATA2 deficiency. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was employed on these patients' two related nuclear families to identify variants that segregated with the disease trait and carrier status of their families. Genotyping was confirmed with direct DNA sequencing of these and other family members within the extended family across generations. A single base adenine-to-thymidine change was identified in a highly conserved enhancer element ~117,000 bp upstream of the GATA2 gene. It creates a new Composite Element, a DNA motif known to be critical in the regulation of hematopoiesis. This variant is unique to this family and is not present in dbSNP or other variant databases. It segregates with the disease trait and obligate carriers throughout a large pedigree. In vitro studies show that this variant drives allele-specific overexpression of the GATA2 gene in cultured cells and luciferase assays. The WGS sequence from the nuclear families will be shared on dbGaP.

  Study phs003269