12505 results for ""non-traditional+communal+storytelling+approach"+novel+segment+noted+in+critical+commentary"

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• Genomic alteration in Korean Young Age Diffuse Gastric Cancers

  To identify recurrent somatic alterations in this unique subset of gastric cancers, whole exome and SNP6 analyses were performed using frozen cancer tissue. The somatic mutation analyses were also performed using blood of the same patients.

  Dataset EGAD00001001984

• Angelman, Rett, Prader-Willi Syndromes Consortium (ARP) Angelman Syndrome Natural History Protocol

  This study is a longitudinal multidisciplinary investigation on the natural history, morbidity and mortality of Angelman Syndrome (AS). We will collect detailed longitudinal data on a cohort of AS individuals to gain a better understanding of the disease progression, and to follow the natural history of the clinical features of this cohort including assessment of quality of life and longevity. The participants to be recruited for the study will include 1) patients who have a documented molecular diagnosis of AS and 2) patients with a clear clinical diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome as determined by the Principal Investigator (PI) and the Co-investigators in this study but who do not have a known molecular defect. One of the goals of the natural history study will be to characterize the phenotypic differences between patients with Class I deletions and those with Class II deletions, particularly with respect to the issue of autism. A blood sample may be collected on the participants in order to create a DNA repository, and in some cases, to establish cell lines if further material is required for molecular studies. Alternatively, DNA may be obtained by buccal mucosa swabs/brushing. In those AS patients with known deletions involving the 15q11-q13 regions, a blood sample will be collected to perform comparative genome hybridization (CGH) microarray studies to characterize the extent of the deletion. No drugs or treatments will be administered through this protocol. In rare instances, a skin biopsy to establish a fibroblast cell line may be requested (using separate consent).

  Study phs000576

• A Single Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Human Neocortical Development

  Defining the number, proportion, or lineage of distinct cell types in the developing human brain is an important goal of modern brain research. We produced single cell transcriptomic profiles for 40,000 cells at mid-gestation to define deep expression profiles corresponding to all known major cell types at this developmental period and compare this with bulk tissue profiles. We identified multiple transcription factors (TFs) and co-factors expressed in specific cell types, including multiple new cell-type-specific relationships, providing an unprecedented resource for understanding human neocortical development and evolution. This includes the first single-cell characterization of human subplate neurons and subtypes of developing glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons. We also used these data to deconvolute single cell regulatory networks that connect regulatory elements and transcriptional drivers to single cell gene expression programs in the developing CNS. We characterized major developmental trajectories that tie cell cycle progression with early cell fate decisions during early neurogenesis. Remarkably, we found that differentiation occurs on a transcriptomic continuum, so that differentiating cells not only express the few key TFs that drive cell fates, but express broad, mixed cell-type transcriptomes prior to telophase. Finally, we mapped neuropsychiatric disease genes to specific cell types, implicating dysregulation of specific cell types in ASD, ID, and epilepsy, as the mechanistic underpinnings of several neurodevelopmental disorders. Together these results provide an extensive catalog of cell types in human neocortex and extend our understanding of early cortical development, human brain evolution and the cellular basis of neuropsychiatric disease.

  Study phs001836

• NHLBI GO-ESP: Family Studies (Familial Atrial Fibrillation)

  The NHLBI "Grand Opportunity" Exome Sequencing Project (GO-ESP), a signature project of the NHLBI Recovery Act investment, was designed to identify genetic variants in coding regions (exons) of the human genome (the "exome") that are associated with heart, lung and blood diseases. These and related diseases that are of high impact to public health and individuals from diverse racial and ethnic groups will be studied. These data may help researchers understand the causes of disease, contributing to better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, as well as determine whether to tailor prevention and treatments to specific populations. This could lead to more effective treatments and reduce the likelihood of side effects. GO-ESP is comprised of five collaborative components: 3 cohort consortia - HeartGO, LungGO, and WHISP - and 2 sequencing centers - BroadGO and SeattleGO. Large epidemiological studies have demonstrated a significant heritable component in atrial fibrillation (AF), especially the Lone forms, suggesting a monogenic syndrome. Although substantial genetic contribution has been made to the etiology of AF, the specific genes have not yet been identified. The familial form of this disease remains poorly characterized and largely undetermined. Here we seek to identify, characterize and determine the natural course of AF in our clinical practice. We identified four large multi-generation families (FAF 1-4). In FAF 1-2, most family members have symptomatic paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and were adequately treated with a combination of rate and rhythm therapies. By contrast, the AF substrate in FAF 3 and 4 was resistant to anti-arrhythmic drugs and ablation therapies.

  Study phs000362

• Whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing of Circulating Cell-Free (CCF) DNA and its Cellular Contributors

  Background: Circulating cell free (ccf) fetal DNA has enabled non-invasive prenatal fetal aneuploidy testing without direct discrimination of the genetically distinct maternal and fetal DNA. Current testing may be improved by specifically enriching the sample material for fetal DNA. DNA methylation may allow for such a separation of DNA and thus support additional clinical opportunities; however, this depends on knowledge of the methylomes of ccf DNA and its cellular contributors. Results: Whole genome bisulfite sequencing was performed on a set of unmatched samples including ccf DNA from 8 non-pregnant (NP) and 7 pregnant female donors and genomic DNA from 7 buffy coat and 5 placenta samples. We found CpG cytosines within longer fragments were more likely to be methylated, linking DNA methylation and fragment size in ccf DNA. Comparison of the methylomes of placenta and NP ccf DNA revealed many of the 51,259 identified differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were located in domains exhibiting consistent placenta hypomethylation across millions of consecutive bases, regions we termed placenta hypomethylated domains. DMRs identified when comparing placenta to NP ccf DNA were recapitulated in pregnant ccf DNA, confirming the ability to detect differential methylation in ccf DNA mixtures. Conclusions: We generated methylome maps for four sample types at single base resolution, identified a link between DNA methylation and fragment length in ccf DNA, identified DMRs between sample groups, and uncovered the presence of megabase-size placenta hypomethylated domains. Furthermore, we anticipate these results to provide a foundation to which future studies using discriminatory DNA methylation may be compared.

  Study phs000846

• Genetic Model of MS Severity Predicts Future Accumulation of Disability

  The goal of "Comprehensive Multimodal Analysis of Neuroimmunological Diseases of the CNS" is to define the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of disability in immune-mediated disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and to distinguish these from physiological (and often beneficial) responses of the human immune system to CNS injury. The long-term objective of the trial is to acquire knowledge that would allow us to therapeutically inhibit the pathogenic mechanisms and enhance repair mechanisms in immune-mediated CNS diseases, thereby minimizing the extent of CNS tissue damage and promoting recovery. To date, 460 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) have been enrolled into the natural history clinical trial. In addition to standardized clinical, functional, neuroimaging and molecular/immunological data, blood samples were also collected for genetic research. However, only 299 study participants with confirmed MS currently have whole genome sequencing data available. In addition to the genome-wide data available for the 299 MS patients, this dbGaP submission provides demographic and phenotypic information for each subject collected at various points throughout the trial. We include race and family history of MS collected at the baseline visit as well as age and measures of disease severity collected at the most recent visit. As these data were randomized into discovery and validation cohorts, we also indicate the assigned group in the phenotypic data. It is hoped that these data may be applied to the development of clinically-useful tools such as diagnostic tests and new, sensitive scales of neurological disability, disease severity and CNS tissue destruction.

  Study phs001833

• Molecular Evolution of Cancer

  Recently developed methods that utilize partitioning of long genomic DNA fragments, and barcoding of shorter fragments derived from them, have succeeded in retaining long-range information in short sequencing reads. These so-called read cloud approaches represent a powerful, accurate, and cost-effective alternative to single-molecule long-read sequencing. We developed software, GROC-SVs, that takes advantage of read clouds for structural variant detection and assembly. We apply the method to two 10x Genomics data sets, one chromothriptic sarcoma with several spatially separated samples, and one breast cancer cell line, all Illumina-sequenced to high coverage. Comparison to short-fragment data from the same samples, and validation by mate-pair data from a subset of the sarcoma samples, demonstrate substantial improvement in specificity of breakpoint detection compared to short-fragment sequencing, at comparable sensitivity, and vice versa. The embedded long-range information also facilitates sequence assembly of a large fraction of the breakpoints; importantly, consecutive breakpoints that are closer than the average length of the input DNA molecules can be assembled together and their order and arrangement reconstructed, with some events exhibiting remarkable complexity. These features facilitated an analysis of the structural evolution of the sarcoma. In the chromothripsis, rearrangements occurred before copy number amplifications, and using the phylogenetic tree built from point mutation data, we show that single nucleotide variants and structural variants are not correlated. We predict significant future advances in structural variant science using 10x data analyzed with GROC-SVs and other read cloud-specific methods.

  Study phs001255

• University of Washington Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker Study for Parkinson disease

  There is a clear need to develop biomarkers for Parkinson disease (PD) diagnosis and monitoring disease progression. In this study we evaluated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins, which are known to be critically involved in PD or identified in our preliminary profiling studies, aptamers, and RNAs as potential PD biomarkers. Access to subjects for this study was via the Pacific Northwest Udall Center (PANUC) and the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) at the University of Washington and Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU). Using CSF samples from 30 well-characterized patients with PD and 30 age-, sex-matched healthy controls, we prepared RNA seq libraries and performed deep sequencing of all RNA species, including small and long RNA, mRNAs, noncoding RNAs and differentially spliced transcripts. We then tried several methods for RNAseq data analysis to optimize our analysis pipeline. We identified a total of 3381 transcripts corresponding to 182 long intergenic RNAs (LincRNAs), 11 microRNAs (miRNAs), 2861 protein-coding transcripts, 200 pseudogenes and 127 antisense RNAs; some of them were differentially expressed between PD and control groups. Selected differentially expressed RNAs have been validated in the same set of CSF samples using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Further validations in independent, larger cohorts of samples are still ongoing. Our results obtained so far suggested that CSF proteins and RNAs could be used as good indexes for PD diagnosis and disease severity/progression. This study is a part of the NIDDS-funded Parkinson's Disease Biomarkers Program (PDBP).

  Study phs000901

• Follow-up of Ovarian Cancer Genetic Association and Interaction Studies (FOCI)

  (Excerpted/paraphrased from original grant application): FOCI seeks to expand our understanding of epithelial ovarian cancer through a coordinated and comprehensive approach. Project 1 will focus on discovery, expansion, and replication. By pooling GWAS, we expect to identify new associations and achieve independent replication, explore whether there are risk variants specific for histologic subtypes, and evaluate structural polymorphisms - copy number variants - as risk factors. Finally, Project 1 will leverage the GWAS data to correlate DNA variants with a new endpoint - survival. Project 2 will focus on biological studies designed to help inform interpretation of findings from Project 1. This will include efforts to identify the functional consequences of variants and improve understanding of biological mechanisms. Project 3 will include epidemiologic studies of gene by gene interaction, gene by environment interaction, and development of risk prediction models. The collective effort builds upon the strengths and history of collaboration inherent in the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC), a multidisciplinary group comprised of epidemiologists, genetic epidemiologists, statistical geneticists, molecular and cell biologists and clinicians that was formed in 2005. The FOCI Cohort is utilized in the following dbGaP sub-studies. To view genotypes, other molecular data, and derived variables collected in these sub-studies, please click on the following sub-studies below or in the "Sub-studies" box located on the right hand side of this top-level study page phs001133 FOCI Cohort. phs001131 Affymetrix Exome Chip phs001132 GWAS Meta Analysis phs001142 Mayo Omni Express phs001150 Mayo 2 5M

  Study phs001133

• Genetic Modifiers of Syndromic Orofacial Clefts

  Reduced penetrance and variable expressivity are common, but poorly understood, features of most monogenic diseases. Genetic modifiers are possible factors to contribute to this phenotypic variability and blur the traditional distinction between monogenic and complex disease. This study focuses on the most common orofacial cleft syndrome (Van der Woude syndrome, VWS) and nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (OFCs), which intersect both in phenotype and in genetic etiology, as a model to understand reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. VWS occurs in 1 in 35,000 individuals and accounts for 2% of all OFCs. The features of VWS include an OFC and/or lower lip pits, but 15% of VWS patients present with an isolated OFC, making them indistinguishable from nonsyndromic OFC patients. Mutations in the genes IRF6 or GRHL3 cause VWS, but approximately 20% of VWS patients currently lack a molecular diagnosis. Furthermore, there are few genotype-phenotype correlations for known mutations and patient phenotypes. By contrast, GWAS of nonsyndromic OFCs have identified a number of risk factors, some of which we have shown increase risk for specific types of OFCs or act as modifiers of OFC subtypes. Whole genome sequencing will be used to identify the remaining genetic mutations for VWS, determine the relationship between those genes/regions with nonsyndromic OFCs, and identify rare and common modifiers of VWS and OFC phenotypes. These analyses will provide further insight into the genetic architecture of VWS and OFCs and will serve as a model for exploring links between other Mendelian disorders that share phenotypes with complex traits.

  Study phs002221

• PCR-free shallow whole genome sequencing for chromosomal copy number detection from plasma of cancer patients is an efficient alternative to the conventional PCR-based approach

  Somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) can be detected in tumor cell-free DNA (cfDNA) by shallow whole genome sequencing (sWGS). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is typically included in library preparations, but a PCR-free method could be an effective alternative for research and diagnostics. Peripheral blood samples (n=22) were collected in EDTA-containing tubes from non-small cell lung cancer patients (n=10) and healthy donors (n=12). PCR and PCR-free library preparations underwent sWGS and the following metrics were compared: mapping quality, proportion of duplicate reads, genome coverage, sequencing read length and copy number profiles. The PCR-free method was further evaluated on archived plasma samples (n=33) of varying pre-analytical quality collected in EDTA or lithium heparin tubes. Archived samples were from acute myeloid leukaemia (n=15) and B-cell lymphoma (n=18) patients. The percentage of unique reads was significantly higher for the 22 samples analysed by PCR-free (95.7%) compared to PCR (84%). PCR-free libraries from 33 archived samples produced data of a comparable quality, with 95.4% unique reads. All other evaluated metrics were highly comparable for PCR and PCR-free library preparations. We conclude that SCNA detection can be performed by PCR-free sWGS on cfDNA from cancer patients and is feasible for diagnostic and archival plasma collected in EDTA- or lithium heparin-containing tubes. Our results pave the way for an automated cfDNA workflow for cancer plasma samples.

  Study EGAS00001004692

• Oncogenome of Kaposi Sarcoma

  Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is an aggressive cancer caused by the Kaposi Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8). Individuals with immunodeficiencies, exemplified by HIV, have an elevated risk of developing KS. However, understanding of the genetic factors contributing to KS progression is still limited. To explore potential genetic alterations in KS that could offer biological or therapeutic insights, whole exome sequencing was performed on 78 KS tumors and matching normal skin samples from 59 adults with KS (46 with HIV-associated KS and 13 with HIV-negative KS) receiving treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala, Uganda. Results showed a very low mutational burden in all samples except one (median = 11 mutations), which is the smallest number of mutations found across all 33 cancer types in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). No recurrent mutations were identified. Mutational signatures included impaired DNA mismatch repair and smoking. There was no evidence suggesting that multiple tumors from the same patient originated from a single clone. The number of genome copy alterations per genome was higher in tumors from individuals without HIV and those with advanced-stage disease. This suggests that lesions that take longer to develop may accumulate more alterations, although the overall number of alterations remains low compared to other cancers. These findings suggest that KS pathogenesis differs from other cancers, with KSHV viral infection and the expression of viral oncogenes being the primary drivers of carcinogenesis, rather than clonal oncogenic transformation arising from genetic alterations of cancer-related cellular genes.

  Study phs003897

• Sequencing and analysis of a South Asian-Indian personal genome

  India with over 1.3 billion people is estimated to carry three times more genetic diversity compared to Europe. Next-generation sequencing technologies have facilitated the understanding of diversity by enabling whole genome sequencing at greater speed and lower cost. While multiple genomes from people of European and a few of Asian descent have been sequenced, only recently a single male genome from the Indian subcontinent at sufficient depth and coverage was published. We have in this study sequenced and analyzed the genome of a South Asian Indian female (SAIF) from the Indian state of Kerala. We identified over 3.4 million SNPs in this genome including over 89,873 private variations. Comparison of the SAIF genome with several published personal genomes revealed that this individual shared ~50% of the SNPs with each of these genomes. Analysis of the SAIF mitochondrial genome showed that it is closely related to the U1a3 haplogroup which has been previously observed in Kerala. We assessed the SAIF genome for SNPs with health and disease consequences and found that the individual was at a higher risk for multiple sclerosis and a few other diseases. In assessing SNPs that modulate drug response we found a variation that predicts a favorable response to metformin used for treating diabetes. SNPs predictive of adverse reaction to warfarin indicated that the SAIF individual is not at risk for bleeding if treated with typical doses of warfarin. In addition to these, we report the presence of several other SNPs of medical relevance.

  Study EGAS00001000328

• Oncogenic fate conversion by PRDM16s causes acute myeloid leukemia

  Oncogenic mutations confer aberrant replicative capacity to cells with little or no replicative capacity, generating cancer stem cells that perpetuate the tumor through extensive self-replication and differentiation blockade. However, whether oncogenes disrupt the cellular identity ofcancer stem cell by altering the developmental potential is unknown. Fate conversion has been demonstrated by ectopic expression of master transcriptional regulators, such as PU.1 and C/EBP alpha that confers myeloid cell fate to other cell types, and PRDM16 that confers brown adipose fate to white adipocytes or myoblasts. Here we show that a transcriptional regulator overexpressed in human myeloid malignancies, PRDM16s, causes oncogenic fate conversion, by transforming cells fated to form platelets and erythrocytes into myeloid leukemia-initiating cells (LICs). Prdm16s expression in hematopoietic progenitor cells caused a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-like disease that progressed to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). The myeloid diseases caused by Prdm16s exhibited expansion of megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors (MEPs) but not granulocyte-macrophage progenitors. MEPs from Prdm16s-induced leukemia possessed LIC potential, and expression of Prdm16s in normal MEPs was sufficient to convert them to myeloid LICs and blocked megakaryocytic/erythroid potential. Prdm16s induced the expression of myeloid master regulators, including PU.1 and C/EBP alpha, by interacting with their super enhancers. Ablation of myeloid master regulators attenuated the myeloid potential and reinstalled the megakaryocytic/erythroid potential of leukemic-MEPs in mouse models and in human AML with PRDM16 rearrangement. Our study demonstrates that oncogenic Prdm16 expression converts the fate of MEPs to a malignant myeloid fate by activating myeloid master transcription factors.

  Study EGAS00001003235

• UK10K NEURO FSZNK

  In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches. This Finnish schizophrenia sample set has been collected from a population cohort using national registers. The entire sample collection consists of 2756 individuals from 458 families of whom 931 are diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Families outside Kuusamo (n=288) all had at least two affected siblings. All diagnoses are based on DSM-IV and for a large fraction of cases there is cognitive data.For further details/descriptions with regard to this data set please contact Tiina Paunio (tiina.paunio@thl.fi)

  Study EGAS00001000119

• UK10K_NEURO_MUIR

  In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches.The sample selection consists of subjects with schizophrenia (SZ), autism, or other psychoses all with mental retardation (learning disability). The samples were initially collected under the leadership of Walter J Muir (deceased), now with Prof. Blackwood, Dr McKechanie and Prof McIntosh as custodians. These subjects represent the intersection of severe forms of neurodevelopmental disorders, appear to have a higher rate of familiality of SZ than typical, and are likely to have more serious and penetrant forms of mutations.For further information on this cohort please contact Andrew McIntosh (andrew.mcintosh@ed.ac.uk).

  Study EGAS00001000122

• Comparison of the diagnostic yield of aCGH and NGS across different neurodevelopmental disorders

  Current recommendations for the genetic diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) do not include the use of next generation sequencing (NGS) and are still based on chromosomal microarrays, such as comparative genomic hybridization array (aCGH). The present study compares the diagnostic yield obtained by aCGH and clinical exome sequencing in NDD globally and its spectrum of disorders. To that end, 1412 patients clinically diagnosed with NDDs and studied with aCGH were classified into phenotype categories: Global developmental delay/intellectual disability (GDD/ID); autism spectrum disorder (ASD); and Other NDDs. These categories were further subclassified into subcategories, based on the most frequent accompanying signs and symptoms: isolated forms, forms with epilepsy; forms with micro or macrocephaly and syndromic forms. A subset of 245 patients of the 1412 were subjected to clinical exome sequencing. Diagnostic yield of aCGH and clinical exome sequencing, expressed as the number of solved cases, was compared for each phenotype category and subcategory. Clinical exome sequencing was superior than aCGH for all cases except for isolated ASD, with no cases solved by NGS. Globally, clinical exome sequencing solved 20% of cases (versus 5.7% by aCGH) and the diagnostic yield was highest for all forms of GDD/ID and lowest for Other NDDs (7.1% versus 1.4% by aCGH) and ASD (6.1% versus 3% by aCGH). In the majority of cases, diagnostic yield was higher in the phenotype subcategories than in the mother category. These results support the use of NGS as the first-tier test in the diagnostic algorithm of all NDDs followed by aCGH when necessary.

  Study EGAS00001004949

• Transcriptome_human_nasal_epithelium

  1. Odors are detected, firstly, by olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in the olfactory epithelium of the nose. This neurons then project directly to the olfactory bulb in the brain. Olfaction depends on cellular regeneration of the OE, olfactory bulb and hippocampus, and on their continual re-wiring. The olfactory neural pathway includes regions of the frontal, temporal and limbic brain, which in turn overlap with brain areas involved in brain disorders. OSNs are the only aspect of the human brain exposed to the external environment. This not only makes them vulnerable to environmental changes, but also accessible for biomedical studies.We have already sequenced and developed a protocol for analyzing the transcriptome of mouse main olfactory epithelium and single OSNs. We propose here to perform a similar study for samples from the human olfactory epithelium. We have developed a minimally invasive method for obtaining human OSNs, among other cells from the nasal epithelium. In this experiment, we have obtained cell samples from the olfactory epithelium, including OSN, from healthy volunteers. We would like to further characterize them by RNA sequencing. This will give us valuable insight into human olfaction. It will also provide a first step into a new avenue to study, and find biomarkers for, brain diseases though the analysis of these easily available neurons. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

  Study EGAS00001001294

• Mutation-specific non-canonical pathway of PTEN as a distinct therapeutic target for glioblastoma

  PTEN is one of most frequently altered tumor suppressor genes in malignant tumors. The dominant negative effect of PTEN alteration suggests that aberrant function of PTEN mutation might be more disastrous than deletion, the most frequent genomic event in glioblastoma (GBM). This study aimed to understand the functional properties of various PTEN missense mutations and to investigate their clinical relevance. The genomic landscape of PTEN alteration was analyzed using the Samsung Medical Center GBM cohort and validated via The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. Several hot-spot mutations were identified, and their subcellular distributions and phenotypes were evaluated. We established a library of cancer cell lines that over-express these mutant proteins using the U87MG and patient-derived cell models lacking functional PTEN. PTEN mutations were categorized into two major subsets: missense mutations in the phosphatase domain and truncal mutations in the C2 domain. We determined the subcellular compartmentalization of four mutant proteins (H93Y, C124S, R130Q, and R173C) from the former group and found that they had distinct localizations; those associated with invasive phenotypes (‘edge mutations’) localized to the cell periphery, while the R173C mutant localized to the nucleus. Invasive phenotypes derived from edge substitutions were unaffected by an anti-PI3K/Akt agent but were disrupted by microtubule inhibitors. PTEN mutations exhibit distinct functional properties with regard to their subcellular localization. Further, some missense mutations (‘edge mutations’) in the phosphatase domain caused enhanced invasiveness associated with dysfunctional cytoskeletal assembly, thus suggesting it to be a potent therapeutic target.

  Study EGAS00001004753

• Warm_autopsy__mutational_signatures_and_clonal_units

  Aims and objectives 1. To produce a ‘first generation map’ of mutational burdens and mutational processes that operate in normal human tissues. 2. To examine clonal units and their distribution across normal human tissues with the emphasis on these particular areas: a) Tissues with an architecturally defined unit: Are architectural structures populated by a progeny derived from a single stem cell? Are clonal units confined to a given architectural structure? Examples of tissues where such approach will be used include prostate gland (acini and ducts), small bowel (crypts), thyroid gland (follicles) and others. b) Tissues without an architecturally defined unit: What is the average size of clonal populations? This group includes stratified/pseudostratified epithelia with a basal layer within which there are stem cells that give rise to a progeny of cells showing upwards migration and lateral expansion (e.g. urothelium, cervical squamous epithelium, respiratory epithelium). This approach can also be used in tissues with a sheet-like cell arrangement, for example brain and adrenal gland. Methods To answer these questions, we will use a range of normal human tissue samples which have already been collected from a single deceased individual. The samples are currently stored in a -80C freezer. Ethanol fixed frozen sections will be prepared from these biopsies. Putative clonal units will be identified and dissected out using laser capture microscopy. DNA extraction will be performed using the in-house (CGP) protease based method. In terms of sequencing methods, the project will be split into 2 phases (2 different approaches): - Phase 1: This part of the project will utilise a combination of low input library preparation (developed by Peter Ellis) and standard whole genome sequencing (HiSeqX). The phase has already started (December 2016). This approach will be particularly useful in investigation of mitotically active tissues. - Phase 2: This part of the project will utilise a combination of low input library method (Peter Ellis) and Bottle-neck sequencing (BotSeqS). BotSeqS is a type of duplex sequencing method that offers a more accurate variant calling and allows genome interrogation at a single cell level. This method is currently being developed and is expected to be implemented in 3-6 months (March-April 2017). This approach will be particularly useful for post-mitotic tissues and tissues without pre-defined architectural units.

  Study EGAS00001002216

• Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD)

  The Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease was initiated in 1977 to determine the natural history of sickle cell disease (SCD) from birth to death in order to identify those factors contributing to the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Specific objectives included: 1) to study the effect of sickle cell disease on growth and development from birth through adolescence 2) to study the conditions or events that may be related to the onset of painful crises 3) to obtain data on the nature, duration, and outcome of major complications of SCD 4) determine the nature, prevalence, and age- related incidence of organ damage due to SCD, and 5) study the role of SCD and its interaction with selected health events.Phases 2 and 3 of the study involved followup of the infant cohort. A total of 709 infants (age less than 6 months) were enrolled during Phase 1 of the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD), and Phases 2 and 3 of the CSSCD was designed to follow these children for an additional 10 years. The study objectives included: 1) define prospectively the natural history of sickle cell disease; 2) determine the relationships between cognitive and academic functioning and brain status as determined by MRI; 3) determine the cognitive or behavioral markers of silent infarct; 4) determine the relationship of family functioning on the Family Environment Scale (FES) to brain status, cognitive functioning, and social and demographic factors; 5) continue studies that will enhance the state of knowledge on the influence of sickle cell disease on the psychosocial adjustment of children and adolescents. Phase 2A of the study sought to examine the progression of organ damage in the heart, lung, kidney, and liver in adult cohort patients (born before 1/1/56) enrolled in phase 1 of the study between 3/79 and 5/81. A total of 620 patients from 11 centers were eligible for phase 2A.Instructions for requesting individual-level data are available on BioData Catalyst at https://biodatacatalyst.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/data/. Apply for data access in dbGaP. Upon approval, users may begin accessing requested data in BioData Catalyst. For questions about availability, you may contact the BioData Catalyst team at https://biodatacatalyst.nhlbi.nih.gov/contact.

  Study phs002362

• University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) Exome Sequencing Analysis

  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is highly heritable with recent sibling recurrence risk estimates of 19% overall and 26% in males. The heritable phenotype of hyperserotonemia, or elevated levels of platelet serotonin (5HT), in ~35% of people with ASD is a well-established biomarker. The efficacy of drugs like risperidone and potent serotonin transporter inhibitors at treating behaviors related to Insistence on Sameness, along with evidence of the contribution of hyperserotonemia to autism susceptibility collectively support the hypothesis that dysfunction in the 5HT system is a significant etiological target for investigation of the genetic component to autism. ASD genetic architecture is complex; common variants of large effect do not contribute substantially to overall ASD risk, but there are clearly common variants with small effects and rare genetic/genomic variation of larger effect among ASD genetic risk factors. The NIH ARRA Autism Sequencing Consortium, including Dr. Sutcliffe and Dr. Cook among others, has initiated exome sequencing studies to identify more of the rare variants contributing to ASD. Data from our group and others reveal numerous rare de novo and inherited sequence mutations, and the number of de novo and other functional mutations that are found to affect molecules encoding 5HT signaling and its regulation further reinforces our hypothesis that regulation of serotonin levels is important in autism genetic susceptibility. Integrin receptor signaling pathways were prominently featured among identified de novo mutations, thus defining a set of interrelated gene networks that control 5HT signaling. We propose to extend our findings to date by conducting exome sequencing on ACE subjects, for whom we also have 5HT biochemical data, to identify rare variants (including CNVs) in 5HT-related gene networks. In total we propose to have exome sequencing completed on 523 samples. The purpose of the proposed research is two-fold: 1) we will conduct more extensive investigations to determine the support for the hypothesis that genetic variation at genes regulating platelet serotonin levels affect susceptibility to ASD and 2) we will combine the exome sequence data from these studies with sequence data for autism being accumulated in a variety of other research projects to further the goal of identifying and characterizing the genetic component to ASD.

  Study phs000712

• Genetic Testing to Understand and Address Renal Disease Disparities

  People of African ancestry (Blacks) have increased risk of kidney failure due to numerous socioeconomic, environmental, and clinical factors. Two variants in the APOL1 gene (GeneID: 8542) are now thought to account for much of the racial disparity associated with hypertensive kidney failure in Blacks. One in 7 AAs carry this risk allele, but it is nearly absent in other populations; the variants protect against infection with African trypanosomiasis which is endemic to Africa. However, this knowledge has not been translated into clinical care to help improve patient outcomes and address disparities. It is unknown whether patient or clinician knowledge of genetic risk impacts patient care (i.e., renal surveillance, BP medication use/intensification) or outcomes such as BP control and CKD. GUARDD is a randomized trial to evaluate the effects and challenges of incorporating genetic risk information into primary care. Hypertensive, nondiabetic, adults with self-reported African ancestry, without kidney dysfunction, are recruited from diverse clinical settings and randomized to undergo APOL1 genetic testing at baseline (intervention) or at one year (waitlist control). Prior to enrolling their patients, providers are educated about genomics and APOL1. Guided by a genetic counselor, trained staff return APOL1 results to patients and provide low-literacy educational materials. Real-time clinical decision support tools alert clinicians of their patients' APOL1 results and associated risk status at the point of care. Our academic - community clinical partnership designed a study to generate information about the impact of genetic risk information on our primary outcome - patient care (renal surveillance by clinicians, of serum creatinine and/or urine albumin tests. with a sub-aim of reduction of systolic blood pressure). Secondary outcomes include impact on primary outcomes at 12 months, psycho-behavioral differences of patients between groups and over time, clinician knowledge, attitudes and beliefs at baseline and 12 months, and differences in outcomes between those tested and not tested. GUARDD will help establish the effective implementation of APOL1 risk informed management of hypertensive patients at high risk of CKD, and will provide a robust framework for future endeavors to implement genomic medicine in diverse clinical practices. It will also add to the important dialog about factors that contribute to and may help eliminate racial disparities in kidney disease.

  Study phs001620

• Overcoming Clinical Resistance to EZH2 Inhibition Using Rational Epigenetic Combination Therapy

  Essential epigenetic dependencies have become evident in many cancers. Based on functional antagonism between BAF/SWI/SNF and PRC2 in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas, we and colleagues recently completed the clinical trial of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat, leading to its FDA approval. However, the principles of tumor response to epigenetic therapy in general and tazemetostat in particular remain unknown. Using functional genomics of patient tumors and diverse experimental models, we defined molecular mechanisms of tazemetostat resistance. We found distinct classes of acquired mutations that converge on the RB1/E2F axis, decoupling EZH2-dependent differentiation and cell cycle control. This allows tumor cells to escape tazemetostat-induced G1 arrest despite EZH2 inhibition and suggests a general mechanism for effective EZH2 therapy. Using RNA-sequencing of patient tumor specimens, we identified specific genes as markers of a deficient RB1/E2F axis, which we propose as prospective biomarkers for therapy stratification. This offers a paradigm for rational epigenetic combination therapy suitable for immediate translation to clinical trials.This study was performed on archived tumor tissue collected as part of the above clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Patient tumors were classified into "Response" or "Progression" groups based on RECIST 1.1 criteria. "Response" included tumors exhibiting a complete response, partial response, or stable disease. All other tumors were classified under the "Progression" group. Archived frozen tumor samples were weighed and up to 20-30mg were homogenized in RLT buffer, followed by extraction using the AllPrep DNA/RNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN catalog 80204) according to the manufacturer's instructions. RNA was eluted in 13 μL nuclease-free water. After RiboGreen quantification and quality control by Agilent BioAnalyzer, 1 μg of total RNA with DV200 percentages varying from 78% to 100% underwent ribosomal depletion and library preparation using the TruSeq Stranded Total RNA LT Kit (Illumina catalog RS-122-1202) according to instructions provided by the manufacturer with 8 cycles of PCR. Samples were barcoded and sequenced using NovaSeq 6000 in a PE150 mode, with the NovaSeq 6000 S4 Reagent Kit (Illumina). On average, 84 million paired reads were generated per sample and 70% of the data mapped to mRNA. For analysis, read adaptors were trimmed and quality filtered using 'trim_galore' and mapped to GRCh38/hg19 reference genome using STAR v2.7.9 with default parameters.

  Study phs003188

• Acute Respiratory Distress Network (ARDSNet) Studies 06 and 08 Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Trial of Aerosolized Albuterol Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury (ALTA) (ARDSNet-ALTA-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the “Authorized Access” section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Biospecimens Access to Biospecimens is through the NHLBI Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center (BioLINCC). Biospecimens from ARDSNet-ALTA include Plasma, DNA, Urine, and BAL. Please note that use of biospecimens in genetic research is subject to a tiered consent. Objectives This clinical trial was designed to test the hypothesis that an aerosolized beta-2-agonist, albuterol, would improve clinical outcomes in participants with acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Background In participants with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS), inflammation of the pulmonary circulation increases vascular permeability. Fluid leaks from blood vessels into the pulmonary interstitium and alveoli. Recovery from this form of acute respiratory failure requires that the pulmonary edema resolve. The resolution of alveolar edema is driven by active transport of sodium and chloride ions from the luminal space across both type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells, creating an osmotic gradient for the reabsorption of water. In the ex vivo human lung, the rate of alveolar fluid clearance can be doubled by treatment with a cyclic AMP beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. On the basis of the preclinical observations that treatment with beta-2-agonists could reduce pulmonary edema and accelerate the rate of alveolar fluid clearance, the ALTA study was designed and undertaken with the hypothesis that treatment of participants with ALI/ARDS with beta-agonist therapy would accelerate the resolution of alveolar edema and improve clinical outcomes. Participants There were 282 participants. Design Study staff conducted a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which participants were randomized to receive aerosolized albuterol (5 mg) or saline placebo every 4 hours for up to 10 days. The primary outcome variable for the trial was ventilator-free days. Conclusions Ventilator-free days were not significantly different between the albuterol and placebo groups. The results suggest that aerosolized albuterol does not improve clinical outcomes in participants with ALI. Routine use of beta-2 agonist therapy in mechanically ventilated participants with ALI cannot be recommended (Matthay, et al., 2011, PMID: 21562125).

  Study phs003743