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

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• Asian Indian Diabetic Heart Study (AIDHS) /Sikh Diabetes Study (SDS)

  The Punjabi Sikh population is a well-defined, carefully collected homogeneous sample from northern India and the US. It has unique characteristics, which are ideal for genetic studies. Sikhs are strictly a non-smoking population and about 50% of participants are life-long vegetarians. All subjects included in the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were recruited from one geographical location. Our population demonstrates a strong familial clustering of type 2 diabetes and related cardio-metabolic disorders that may be genetic and we believe that the contribution of alleles at specific loci are likely to be unique to Punjabi Asians compared to Europeans. Our group first showed that the association of a common variant at rs9939609 in the FTO (fat mass and obesity) gene in South Asians was independent of BMI (PMID:18598350) in contrast to Europeans where the association of same variant with T2D is mediated through obesity (PMID:17434869). These findings were later confirmed in an independent sample of South Indians (PMID:19005641), Pakistanis (PMID:21294771), and even East and South Asians in a large meta-analyses study comprising 96,551 individuals (PMID: 22109280). Earlier reported association of MTNR1B with fasting glucose concentrations and type 2 diabetes in European GWAS could not be confirmed in our Sikh cohort. On the other hand, our study revealed, for the first time, a significant protective association of another less common variant in MTNR1B with fasting glucose levels that was modulated by obesity. Ours was the first report that suggested that the low CETP activity was associated with higher CAD risk (PMID:22143414) in South Asians and that the genetic effects are significantly modulated by environmental factors (alcohol consumption). Our recent GWAS on type 2 diabetes has identified a novel locus at chromosome 13q12 in the SGCG gene (p=1.82x10-8) associated with type 2 diabetes (PMID:23300278) in Punjabi Sikhs. From these findings, we are optimistic that our resource will provide new insights to gene functions in the diabetic pathway and better help researchers to understand and translate these insights to novel therapeutic treatment and early prevention to T2D that may be important beyond Indians.

  Study phs000583

• Identification of cis- and trans-regulatory variation modulating microRNA expression levels in human fibroblasts

  MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory noncoding RNAs that affect the production of a significant fraction of human mRNAs via post-transcriptional regulation. Interindividual variation of the miRNA expression levels is likely to influence the expression of miRNA target genes and may therefore contribute to phenotypic differences in humans, including susceptibility to common disorders. The extent to which miRNA levels are genetically controlled is largely unknown. In this report, we assayed the expression levels of miRNAs in primary fibroblasts from 180 European newborns of the GenCord project and performed association analysis to identify eQTLs (expression quantitative traits loci). We detected robust expression for 121 miRNAs out of 365 interrogated. We have identified significant cis- (10%) and trans- (11%) eQTLs. Furthermore, we detected one genomic locus (rs1522653) that influences the expression levels of five miRNAs, thus unraveling a novel mechanism for coregulation of miRNA expression

  Study EGAS00000000056

• Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI): Pediatric In Vivo Testing Program - Neuroblastoma

  The goal of NCI's Pediatric In Vivo Testing Consortium (PIVOT) is to advance the development of effective treatments for pediatric cancers through preclinical in vivo testing of novel therapeutic agents. To design impactful experiments that can be rapidly translated to the clinic, PIVOT investigators require comprehensive genomic characterization of the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models used across the consortium. This robust experimental design enhances collaboration with industry partners by providing proof-of-concept data for drugs in development. As part of this effort, neuroblastoma PDX models are being molecularly characterized to identify promising therapeutic candidates. The molecular profiling includes whole exome sequencing (WES), RNA-seq, MethylEPIC array, CytoSNP array, and DNA fingerprinting for quality control. Additionally, demographic and clinical data (e.g., diagnosis, disease site, disease status) are shared. These characterized PDX models, matched with patient tumors, guide model selection for preclinical drug testing.

  Study phs003163

• NIDDK⁄CIDR Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IBDGC) Genome Wide Association Study in Familial Crohn's Disease

  The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (NIDDK - IBDGC) conducted a genome wide association study (GWAS) using the Human Omni2.5-Quad beadchip from Illumina to identify disease variants associated with familial Crohn's disease. This study includes a subset of individuals from an original cohort of affected subjects and affected/unaffected relatives from a previous linkage scan which showed increased linkage evidence at three novel risk loci. A total of 708 samples were selected based on various criteria for inclusion from the 6 Genetic Research Centers (GRC) in North America that participate in the IBDGC. This project was supported by an ancillary R01 grant from the NIDDK with resources made available through the IBDGC.

  Study phs000367

• Pathogenic variants damage cell compositions and single cell transcription in cardiomyopathies

  Pathogenic variants in genes that cause dilated (DCM) and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies (ACM) convey high risks for the development of heart failure (HF) through unknown mechanisms. Using single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNAseq), we characterized the transcriptome of 880,000 nuclei from 18 control and 61 failing, non-ischemic human hearts with pathogenic variants in DCM and ACM genes or idiopathic disease. We performed genotype-stratified analyses of the ventricular cell lineages and transcriptional states. The resultant DCM and ACM ventricular cell atlas demonstrated distinct right and left ventricular responses, highlighting genotype-associated pathways, intercellular interactions, and differential gene expression at single cell resolution. Together these data illuminate both shared and distinct cellular and molecular architectures of human HF and suggest novel candidate therapeutic targets.

  Study EGAS00001006374

• How mitochondrial DNA research can benefit from data reuse through EGA?

  Mitochondria are the only cellular organelles harbouring their own DNA, which encodes for proteins essentials in its respiration process. Despite its discovery in 1960, Mitochondrial DNA is often overlooked compared to nuclear DNA. Indeed, not all sequencing technologies capture a good representation of mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA). Recently, Ed Reznik's team (The Ed Reznik Lab | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) carried out a massive analysis and reanalysis of single cells WGS (whole genome sequencing) produced with an amplification-free protocol (Direct library prep, DLP). As they demonstrated in the paper Single-cell mtDNA dynamics in tumors is driven by coregulation of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes - PMC, DLP is more effective in catching mtDNA compared to classical single-cell sequencing. These data allowed the team to unravel mtDNA dynamics in tumoral and normal samples, highlighting how mtDNA and nuclear DNA are co-regulated and their ratio is critical for phenotype. Data reuse to achieve the greatest results For this project, Reznik's team re-used data from 3 studies stored at the European Genome-phenome Archive (EGAS00001006343, EGAS00001004448 and EGAS00001003190) that comprised a total of 602 datasets. All of them were initially produced by the teams of Sam Aparicio and Sohrab P. Shah at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, where Ed Reznik is a promising group leader. This demonstrates, once again, that networking, collaboration and data sharing can achieve the greatest results when coupled with innovative and smart ideas. At the EGA we are proud to provide the scientific community with an infrastructure to enable all those very smart ideas out there to find the right data to be tested.

  Blog mitochondrial-dna-research

• Integrated clinical, whole genome, and transcriptome analysis of multisampled lethal metastatic prostate cancer

  We report the first combined analysis of whole genome sequence, detailed clinical history, and transcriptome sequence of multiple prostate cancer metastases in a single patient (A21). Whole genome and transcriptome sequence was obtained from 9 anatomically separate metastases, and targeted DNA sequencing was performed in cancerous and noncancerous foci within the primary tumor specimen removed 5 years prior to death. Transcriptome analysis revealed increased expression of AR-regulated genes in liver metastases that harbored an AR p.L702H mutation, suggesting a dominant effect by the mutation despite being present in only 1 of an estimated 16 copies per cell. The metastases harbored several alterations to the PI3K/AKT pathway, including a clonal truncal mutation in PIK3CG and present in all metastatic sites studied. The list of truncal genomic alterations shared by all metastases included homozygous deletion of TP53, hemizygous deletion of RB1 and CHD1, and amplification of FGFR1. If the patient were treated today given this knowledge, use of second-generation androgen-directed therapies, cessation of glucocorticoid administration, and therapeutic inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway or FGFR1 receptor could provide personalized benefit. Three previously unreported truncal clonal missense mutations (ABCC4 p.R891L, ALDH9A1 p.W89R, and ASNA1 p.P75R) were expressed at the RNA level and assessed as druggable. The truncal status of mutations is critical for actionability, and can only be determined through analysis of multiple sites of metastasis. Our findings suggest that a large set of deeply analyzed cases could serve as powerful guide to more effective prostate cancer basic science and personalized cancer medicine clinical trials.

  Dataset EGAD00001001869

• Processing of tissue and cfDNA samples of CRC patients using Active-seq

  In this study, we have developed a novel technology called Active-Seq (Azide Click Tagging for In Vitro Epigenomic sequencing), a base conversion-free technology used to profile the DNA methylation status of a sample, based on the isolation of DNA containing unmodified CpG sites using a mutated bacterial methyltransferase enzyme and a synthetically prepared cofactor analogue. We procured samples from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients including tumour tissue as well as normal adjacent tissues. The data enabled us to identify CRC-specific markers that could then be used to track and monitor the presence of tumour DNA in cell-free DNA plasma (cfDNA) samples procured in the same patients. The FASTQ files of all the colorectal cancer tissues, normal adjacent tissues as wells as the cfDNA samples are available in this submission. The data made available in this study have been used to outline an approach for tumour-informed disease profiling in colorectal cancer cfDNA samples using Active-Seq.

  Study EGAS50000001226

• CCL22 chemokine mutations drive natural killer cell lymphoproliferative disease by biasing GPCR signaling

  Chronic lymphoproliferative disorder of natural killer cells (CLPD-NK) is characterized by clonal expansion of NK cells of incompletely understood genomic basis. Here, we report somatic mutations in the chemokine gene CCL22 as the hallmark of a distinct subset of CLPD-NK. CCL22 mutations were enriched at highly conserved residues, were mutually exclusive of STAT3 mutations, and were associated with gene expression similar to normal CD16dim/CD56bright NK cells. Mechanistically, the mutations resulted in ligand-biased chemokine receptor signaling, with decreased internalization of the G-protein-coupled receptor for CCL22, CCR4, via impaired β-arrestin recruitment. This resulted in increased cell chemotaxis in vitro, bidirectional crosstalk with the hematopoietic microenvironment, and enhanced NK cell proliferation in vivo in transgenic human IL-15 mice. Somatic CCL22 mutations illustrate a novel mechanism of tumor formation in which gain-of-function chemokine mutations promote tumorigenesis by biased G-protein-coupled receptor signaling and dysregulation of microenvironmental crosstalk.

  Study EGAS00001006009

• RNA-seq on patient-derived, stage II, CRC cell lines

  The gut microbiome is a key player in the immunomodulatory and pro-tumorigenic microenvironment in colorectal cancer (CRC). It is well established that Fusobacterium’s virulence factors are responsible for its pro-tumorigenic properties, however the role of its metabolic cross-talk with the tumor remains unexplored. Here we use in vitro, in vivo, and in silico methods to describe a novel microbe-host interaction keystone: formate. Omics data reveals molecular signatures, linking a metabolically driven CRC phenotype with Fusobacteria. We observed a metabolic shift towards increased F. nucleatum formate secretion in gut-on-chip model co-cultures with patient-derived CRC cells, along with an accelerated cancer glutamine metabolism. We show that high formate levels trigger AhR signaling, increase cancer stemness and cellular invasion. Finally, we observed an expansion of Th17 cells accompanying F. nucleatum-induced tumorigenesis. Moving beyond observational studies, we applied new experimental approaches for gaining ecosystem-level mechanistic understanding of F. nucleatum’s role in cancer pathogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001005948

• Integrative genomic analyses in adipocytes implicate DNA methylation in human obesity and diabetes

  DNA methylation variations are prevalent in human obesity but evidence of a causative role in disease pathogenesis is limited. Here, we combine epigenome-wide association and integrative genomics to investigate the impact of adipocyte DNA methylation variations in human obesity. We discover extensive DNA methylation changes that are robustly associated with obesity (N=190 samples, 691 loci in subcutaneous and 173 loci in visceral adipocytes, P<1x10-7). We connect obesity-associated methylation variations to transcriptomic changes at >500 target genes, and identify putative methylation-transcription factor interactions. Through Mendelian Randomisation, we infer causal effects of methylation on obesity and obesity-induced metabolic disturbances at 59 independent loci. Targeted methylation sequencing, CRISPR-activation and gene silencing in adipocytes, further identifies regional methylation variations, underlying regulatory elements and novel cellular metabolic effects. Our results indicate DNA methylation is an important determinant of human obesity and its metabolic complications, and reveal mechanisms through which altered methylation may impact adipocyte functions.

  Study EGAS00001007118

• Characterization of a novel MEF2D-BCL9 fusion positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line RNA-Seq derived

  Study EGAS00001006803

• DNA-Sequencing of Baseline Plasma From the Phase III Alliance A031201 Trial

  Liquid biopsy assays tailored for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients are needed to identify molecular alterations and predict survival in the context of androgen receptor (AR) inhibitors. We developed a novel plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing assay to detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and alterations in key mCRPC driver genes, and tested associations with clinical features and survival outcomes in a phase III trial. cfDNA was isolated from evaluable baseline plasma specimens of untreated mCRPC patients (n=790) enrolled in the Alliance A031201 randomized phase III trial (NCT01949337) prior to enzalutamide therapy with or without abiraterone acetate and prednisone. A customized targeted cfDNA sequencing assay was used to detect AR and non-AR alterations in mCRPC. For this, DNA-seq libraries were constructed from cfDNA using Takara ThruPLEX Tag-Seq or Plasma-Seq kits, and subjected to hybridization enrichment using a custom-designed Agilent SureSelect bait panel. Post-capture DNA-seq libraries were pooled and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 using 2x150 bp settings. ctDNA positivity was defined as >20% ctDNA using an aneuploidy-based estimate derived from ichorCNA (Group 1) or a novel definition of ≤20% ctDNA, but with detection of any alteration in AR, or gain of MYC and/or MYCN (Group 2). cfDNA sequencing data was obtained from 776 patients. There were 480/776 (62%) ctDNA-positive patients, with 324 (42%) in Group 1 and an additional 156 (20%) in Group 2 with AR or MYC/MYCN alterations detected. ctDNA-positive patients in Groups 1 and 2 had similarly poor median overall survival (OS) of 25.4 months (95% CI: 21.8-29.0) and 29.7 months (95% CI: 27.3-35.5), respectively, as compared to ctDNA-negative patients who had a median OS of 49.1 months (95% CI: 42.3-53.5). Relative to ctDNA-negative patients, OS was inferior in ctDNA-positive patients in Group 1 (HR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.9-2.9, P AR inhibitors in a contemporary phase III trial.

  Study phs003325

• Studying Glioblastoma in a Human Organoid Tumor Transplantation Model

  This study comprises two complementary investigations that leverage innovative human model systems and cutting-edge molecular profiling to dissect glioblastoma (GBM) heterogeneity and tumor-microenvironment interactions. The first study uses a novel Human Organoid Tumor Transplantation (HOTT) model, in which freshly dissociated GBM tumor cells from five patients were transplanted into human embryonic stem cell-derived cortical organoids. This system enables the interrogation of tumor and microenvironment interactions in a human-specific, developmentally relevant context. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq), the authors profiled over 216,000 cells, analyzing tumor heterogeneity across multiple media conditions. Ligand-receptor analysis (CellChat), immunofluorescence, and RNAScope were used to validate findings. The study revealed that the HOTT model faithfully recapitulates primary GBM cell types and microenvironmental components, and uncovered a novel bidirectional signaling axis mediated by PTPRZ1 that influences both tumor migration and cell fate in a context-dependent manner. PTPRZ1 is identified to be important for intercellular communication between tumor and microenvironmental cells, while PDGFRB, NOTCH3, HOPX, FAM107A, CLDN5, RGS5, FOXC1, SOX18 are key markers of the neurovascular progenitor that we identify to be a multipotent, restricted progenitor in GBM. Related datasets include the inclusion of immune cells in the HOTT system, termed “iHOTT”. The second study focuses on identifying and characterizing a rare but functionally potent neurovascular progenitor (NVP) population within GBM tumors. By generating a meta-atlas from seven publicly available GBM scRNA-seq datasets, the authors identified a unique tumor-derived cell population co-expressing neural progenitor and vascular markers. This population was validated in situ and in vivo through immunostaining and lineage tracing via DNA barcoding in the HOTT system. Functional knockdown of NVPs in a murine GBM model resulted in reduced cycling cells, altered tumor composition, and increased survival. Clonal analysis showed NVPs have dual potency to give rise to both neuronal and vascular-like tumor cells, contributing significantly to tumor cell diversity. Molecular technologies used across the studies include: Single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing DNA barcoding and clonal lineage tracing (CellTag) Population information: Tumor samples were obtained directly from multiple GBM patients (all IDH1 wild-type, adult), including core and peripheral tumor regions. Human cortical organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) served as the microenvironment in the HOTT model. Principal findings include: HOTT recapitulates the heterogeneity and cell type fidelity of GBM, while enabling the study of tumor–microenvironment signaling. PTPRZ1 has opposing roles in tumor and microenvironment, influencing GBM cell migration and fate via non-catalytic mechanisms. A novel GBM neurovascular progenitor population (NVP) was identified, validated, and shown to contribute clonally to distinct tumor cell types. Elimination of NVPs in vivo reduces tumor aggressiveness and improves survival. Data to be available through dbGaP: Raw and processed single-cell and single-nucleus RNA-seq data (HOTT model and NVP studies) CellTag barcode-labeled scRNA-seq clonal lineage data Associated metadata including patient of origin, experimental condition, and sample annotations.

  Study phs003936

• Discovery of resistance mechanisms to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib in metastatic BRAF mutant melanoma

  We propose to biopsy 20 consented BRAF mutant melanoma patients at Addenbrooke's Hospital pre-treatment with vemurafenib and also upon the development of resistant disease, with the aim of using exome sequence and SNP6 data to identify novel sequence variants and copy number alterations that can be used to validate observed resistance mechanisms in our cell line models and also to use these models to inform as to likely candidate small molecule inhibitors to overcome resistance and that could be tested in the clinical trial setting.

  Dataset EGAD00001001046

• RNAseq - Discovery of resistance mechanisms to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib in metastatic BRAF mutant melanoma

  We propose to biopsy 20 consented BRAF mutant melanoma patients at Addenbrooke's Hospital pre-treatment with vemurafenib and also upon the development of resistant disease, with the aim of using exome sequence and SNP6 data to identify novel sequence variants and copy number alterations that can be used to validate observed resistance mechanisms in our cell line models and also to use these models to inform as to likely candidate small molecule inhibitors to overcome resistance and that could be tested in the clinical trial setting.

  Dataset EGAD00001001050

• Single-Cell Genomic Analysis of Gastrointestinal Cancer

  Our study aimed to define the heterogeneity of gastrointestinal cancers at a single-cell resolution. We subjected single-cell suspensions derived from surgical resections of gastrointestinal cancer tissue, paired normal tissue, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or their ex vivo cultures to high-throughput microfluidics based single-cell RNA and DNA sequencing. We analyzed the features of the tumor microenvironment including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, macrophages and lymphocytes to determine their contribution to tumor growth and progression. We also characterized the mechanisms of immunosuppression in these tumors. This analysis led to novel insights into the biology of the microenvironment and also enabled the identification of new treatment targets.

  Study phs001818

• Whole exome sequencing of familial MDS, Two patients

  Although several causal genes of familial myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have been identified, the genetic landscape and the molecular pathogenesis are not totally understood. To explore novel driver genes and their pathogenetic significance, we performed whole exome sequence analysis of two individuals from a familial MDS pedigree and several candidate single-nucleotide variants were identified. Knockdown screening revealed that downregulation of a candidate gene enhanced colony forming capacity of primary murine bone marrow (BM) stem/progenitor cells. Our results indicate that a familial MDS-associated germline mutation in the candidate gene induces accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks, possibly through impaired PCNA polyubiquitination.

  Study JGAS000162

• PAGE: Prenatal Assessment of Genomes and Exomes

  The Prenatal Assessment of Genomes and Exomes (PAGE) study is a multicentre prospective trial, performing exome sequence analysis on samples from 1000 families with structural anomalies in prenatal ultrasound screening but normal aneuploidy results. The data will enable discovery of novel genetic disorders and increase the diagnostic yield. Where appropriate, results will be reported back to the families at the end of the pregnancy, after thorough clinical review. Ultimately, the translation of the acquired know-how into cost-effective prenatal diagnostic sequencing will improve genetics-derived prognoses and allow more informed parental counselling as well as management of pregnancy and childbirth.

  Study EGAS00001001713

• Genomic landscape of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST)

  Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the most common tumor predisposition syndrome, and is associated with an aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs), the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in people with NF1. The only potentially curative therapy involves surgery which is not always possible. Even therapy with curative intent is associated with poor overall survival for both sporadic and NF1-related MPNSTs. The development of novel therapies has been largely hindered by a lack of understanding of the molecular events underpinning MPNST pathogenesis. This is a comprehensive multi-omic study of MPNST evolution based on whole genome sequencing and transcriptomic data.

  Study EGAS00001006069

• WFS1 mutation screening in a large series of Japanese hearing loss patients: Massively parallel DNA sequencing-based analysis

  A heterozygous mutation in the Wolfram syndrome type 1 gene (WFS1) causes autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hereditary hearing loss, DFNA6/14/38, or Wolfram-like syndrome. To date, more than 40 different mutations have been reported to be responsible for DFNA6/14/38. In the present study, WFS1 variants were screened in a large series of Japanese hearing loss (HL) patients to clarify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of DFNA6/14/38 and Wolfram-like syndrome. Massively parallel DNA sequencing of 68 target genes was performed in 2,549 unrelated Japanese HL patients to identify genomic variations responsible for HL. The detailed clinical features in patients with WFS1 variants were collected from medical charts and analyzed. We successfully identified 13 WFS1 variants in 19 probands: eight of the 13 variants were previously reported mutations, including three mutations (p.A684V, p.K836N, and p.E864K) known to cause Wolfram-like syndrome, and five were novel mutations.

  Study JGAS000123

• MGA-NUTM1 fusion in high grade spindle cell sarcoma

  NUT carcinoma (NC) with mesenchymal differentiation have rarely been described in the literature. In this report, we describe the characterization of two cases of high grade spindle cell sarcoma harboring a novel MGA-NUTM1 fusion. Whole genome sequencing identified the presence of complex rearrangements resulting in a MGA-NUTM1 fusion gene in the absence of other significant somatic mutations. The fusion protein was predicted to retain nearly the entire protein sequence of both MGA (exons 1-22) and NUTM1 (exons 3-8). In contrast to typical cases of NC, these cases were successfully treated with aggressive local control measures (surgery and radiation) and both patients remain alive without disease. These cases describe a new subtype of NUTM1-rearranged tumors warranting expansion of diagnostic testing to evaluate for the presence of MGA-NUTM1 or alternative NUTM1 gene fusions in the diagnostic workup of high grade spindle cell sarcomas or small round blue cell tumors of ambiguous lineage.

  Study EGAS00001003341

• Widespread hypertranscription in aggressive human cancers

  Cancers are often defined by the dysregulation of specific transcriptional programs; however, the importance of global transcriptional changes is less understood. Hypertranscription is the genome-wide increase in RNA output. Hypertranscription’s prevalence, underlying drivers and prognostic significance are undefined in primary human cancer. This is due in part to limitations of expression profiling methods, which assume equal RNA output between samples. Here, we developed a computational method to directly measure hypertranscription in 7,494 human tumors, spanning 31 cancer types. Hypertranscription is ubiquitous across cancer, especially in aggressive disease. It defines patient subgroups with worse survival, even within well-established subtypes. Our data suggest that loss of transcriptional suppression underpins the hypertranscriptional phenotype. Single-cell analysis reveals hypertranscriptional clones, which dominate transcript production regardless of their size. Finally, patients with hypertranscribed mutations have improved response to immune checkpoint therapy. Our results provide fundamental insights into gene dysregulation across human cancers and may prove useful in identifying patients that would benefit from novel therapies.

  Study EGAS00001006365

• Molecular evolution and clinical trajectories of prostate cancer identifies novel markers for risk stratification - additional data

  Study EGAS00001004884

• Genetics and Functional Studies of Autosomal Recessive Neurological Disorders

  Neurological conditions account for over 6% of the global disease burden. There are more than 600 neurological disorders, and cognitive dysfunction, also referred to as intellectual disability (ID), occupies a prominent position in this list. Cognitive dysfunction arises from the failure of neuronal cells to organize into a complex network and remodel this network in response to learning and experience. It is manifested by deficits in adaptive behaviors in everyday social and practical skills. Due to its high prevalence and the lifetime cost of care per individual, in the range of $1-2 million in United Sates (CDC), it presents a significant health burden. Genetic and functional studies of the genes and protein determinants of ID have helped to elucidate the molecular pathways of human brain development in health and disease. However, the identity of a large number of essential molecular and cellular components still remain elusive. The objectives of our study are to expand the genetic repertoire of causal ID genes and characterize their role in neuronal structure and cognitive function. The rationale is that identification and functional elucidation of causative gene variants that lead to cognitive dysfunction will be essential for understanding brain function and for developing improved diagnostic tools and efficacious preventive and therapeutic agents for neurological disorders, including ID. There are 3 aims of our comprehensive research program: 1) Ascertain and clinically phenotype members of extended families segregating autosomal recessive intellectual disability (ARID); 2) identify new ARID genes and gene products; and 3) determine the functions of prioritized novel ARID genes using multifaceted approaches, including analysis of spatiotemporal expression patterns in mouse brain, targeting in cultured rat hippocampal neurons, effects on cell morphology and synapse abundance, synaptic transmission and plasticity in neuronal cells by electrophysiology and live-cell imaging assays. The project will advantageously combine human clinical assessment, genetic and functional analyses relevant to brain development and function. Impact: Execution of the proposed studies will generate new knowledge that is clinically relevant, with high potential to impact ID molecular diagnosis, prognoses, and identify novel therapeutic targets to slow progression, delay onset, and possibly devising precision medicine approaches for ID.

  Study phs003298