12404 results for ""non-traditional+communal+storytelling+approach"+novel+segment+noted+in+critical+commentary"

in 20.45 milliseconds.

• Targeted sequencing of vascular malformations tissues and paired blood samples

  In recent years, it has been clarified that various vascular malformations are caused by gene mutations. However, there remain vascular malformations of unknown etiology. In the present study, we investigated somatic mutations of three types of vascular malformations to identify novel gene mutations involved in their pathogenesis.

  Study JGAS000325

• Transcriptome analysis of human iPSC-derived microglia in a novel human 3D cortical tissue model

  scRNA-seq analysis of human iPSC-derived microglia in a novel, human in vitro 3D cortical tissue model. Samples include three distinct conditions (each as biological duplicates): wild-type microglia extracted from cultures after 1 month (WT_1mo) and 3 months (WT_3mo) of culturing, as well as knock-in microglia extracted from cultures carrying three familial AD mutations in the APP gene (Swedish, Iberian, Arctic; introduced by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in) after 3 months of culturing (KI_3mo).

  Dataset EGAD50000000677

• MDS Sequencing Project_Cancer Cell

  Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are uncommon entities, heterogeneous clinically and cytogenetically. The aim of the present study is to determine genetic alteration in this subset of patients. Expected results: Identification of new aberrations and genetic markers in order to detect novel genes involved in MDS 5q-response to Lenalidomide's treatment.

  Study EGAS00001001011

• Scywalker: scalable end-to-end data analysis workflow for nanopore single-cell transcriptome sequencing

  Existing nanopore single-cell data analysis tools showed severe limitations in handling current data sizes. We developed novel scalable methods for cell barcode demultiplexing and single-cell isoform calling and quantification and incorporated these in an easily deployable package called scywalker.

  Study EGAS50000000537

• Whole exome sequencing of trio with primary immunodeficiency (IL2RB)

  A novel homozygous mutation in human IL2RB results in decreased IL-2RB protein expression and dysregulated IL-2/15 signaling. This hypomorphic mutation leads to decreased regulatory T cell frequency and abnormal NK cell compartment, with clinical manifestations of autoimmunity and susceptibility to CMV.

  Study EGAS00001003599

• RNA-Seq data_MM study cohort (n=73) and human myeloma cell lines

  Multiple myeloma (MM) represents approximately 10 % of all hematological malignancies and patients present with a variety of clinical manifestations and diverse cytogenetic backgrounds While MM patient survival has greatly improved due to novel treatments in the last years, the disease is generally considered incurable with a median survival of approximately 6 years. Therapy resistance remains as a major obstacle, causing almost all patients to eventually relapse, underlining the persisting need to identify novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers associated with disease progression.

  Study EGAS50000000392

• Long-read single-cell RNA-seq in COVID-19

  We report the first application of long-read single-cell RNA sequencing on nasopharyngeal swabs from COVID-19 patients and healthy controls to resolve transcript-level changes across cell types. Samples were collected from three patients with moderate COVID-19, six patients with critical COVID-19, and three healthy controls. Single-cell libraries were generated using the 10x Genomics Chromium 3' protocol, producing unfragmented cDNA. Libraries were sequenced on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies PromethION platform. Basecalling was performed with Guppy (v1.6), generating a single FASTQ file per sample.

  Dataset EGAD50000001836

• Evolving epigenomics of immune cells in type 1 diabetes at single nuclei resolution

  The appearance of diabetes-associated autoantibodies is the first detectable sign of the disease process leading to type 1 diabetes (T1D). Evidence suggests that T1D is a heterogenous disease, where the type of antibodies first formed imply subtypes. Here, we followed 49 children, who subsequently presented with T1D and 49 matched controls, profiling single-cell epigenomics at different time points of disease development. Quantitation of cell and nuclei populations as well as transcriptome and open-chromatin states indicated robust, early, replicable monocyte lineage differences between cases and controls, suggesting heightened pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion early among cases. The order of autoantibody emergence in cases showed variation across lymphoid and myeloid cells, potentially indicating cellular immune response divergence. The strong monocytic lineage representation in peripheral blood immune cells before seroconversion and the weaker differential coordination of these gene networks close to clinical diagnosis emphasizes the importance of early life as a critical phase in T1D development.

  Study EGAS50000000863

• Myelodysplastic cells in patients re-program mesenchymal stromal cells to establish a transplantable stem cell-niche disease unit.

  Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of myeloid neoplasms with defects in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and possibly the HSPC niche. Here we show that patient-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MDS MSCs) display a disturbed differentiation program and are essential for the propagation of MDS-initiating lin-CD34+CD38- stem cells in orthotopic xenografts. Overproduction of niche factors such as N-Cadherin, IGFBP2, VEGFA and LIF is associated with the ability of MDS MSCs to enhance MDS expansion. These factors represent putative therapeutic targets to disrupt critical hematopoietic-stromal interactions in MDS. Finally, healthy MSCs adopt "MDS-MSC like" molecular features when exposed to hematopoietic MDS cells, indicative of an instructive remodeling of their microenvironment. This patient-derived xenograft model therefore provides functional and molecular evidence that MDS is a complex disease involving both the hematopoietic and stromal compartments. The resulting deregulated expression of niche factors may well also be a feature of other hematopoietic malignancies.

  Study EGAS00001000716

• Ductal keratin 15+ luminal progenitors in normal breast exhibit a basal-like breast cancer transcriptomic signature

  Normal breast luminal epithelial progenitors have been implicated as cell of origin in basal-like breast cancer, but their anatomical localization remains understudied. Here, we combine micro-collection of uncultured organoids and single cell mRNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of FACS-sorted luminal epithelial cells with multicolor imaging to profile ducts and terminal ductal lobular units (TDLUs) and compare them with breast cancer subtypes. Unsupervised clustering reveals eleven distinct clusters and a differentiation trajectory starting with keratin 15+ (K15+) progenitors enriched in ducts. Spatial mapping of luminal progenitors is confirmed at the protein level by staining with critical duct markers. Comparison of the gene expression profiles of normal luminal cells with those of breast cancer subtypes reveals a strong correlation between normal breast K15+ ductal progenitors and basal-like breast cancer. We propose that K15+ basal-like breast cancers originate in ductal progenitors, which emphasizes the importance of not only lineages but also cellular position within the ductal-lobular tree.

  Study EGAS00001005963

• Enhanced cortical neural stem cell identity through SMAD/WNT inhibition in human cerebral organoids facilitates emergence of outer radial glial cells

  Cerebral organoids exhibit broad regional heterogeneity accompanied by limited cortical cellular diversity despite the tremendous upsurge in derivation methods, suggesting inadequate patterning of early neural stem cells (NSCs). Here we show that a short and early dual-SMAD/WNT inhibition course is necessary and sufficient for establishing robust and lasting cortical organoid NSC identity, efficiently suppressing of non-cortical NSC fates, while other widely used methods are inconsistent in their cortical NSC specification capacity. Accordingly, this method selectively enriches for outer radial glia (oRG) NSCs, which cytoarchitecturally demarcate well-defined outer sub-ventricular (oSVZ)-like regions propagating from superiorly radially organized, apical cortical rosette NSCs. Finally, this method culminates in the emergence of molecularly distinct deep and upper cortical layer neurons, and reliably uncovers cortex-specific microcephaly defects. Thus, a short SMAD/WNT inhibition is critical for establishing a rich cortical cell repertoire that enables mirroring fundamental molecular and cytoarchitectural features of cortical development and meaningful disease modeling.

  Study EGAS00001006063

• Offspring Sex Impacts DNA Methylation and Gene Expression in Placentae from Women with Diabetes during Pregnancy

  Exposure to diabetes in utero is known to increase the offspring's likelihood of developing metabolic disease in adulthood, but the mechanisms involved are unknown. It has been proposed that early exposure to hyperglycemia and elevated insulin levels may lead to malprogramming of the fetus leading to the subsequent development of diabetes and obesity. Epigenetic modifications of the genome including DNA methylation, provide a plausible mechanism that allows for permanent propagation of gene activity states from one generation of cells to the next. The placenta, a fetal tissue easily accessible for study, is a complex organ that is essential in regulating fetal growth. The changes in placental nutrient transport associated with diabetes during pregnancy (DDP) have significant effects on the developing fetus, indicating that the placenta plays a critical role in fetal programming. The aim of our study was to investigate whether exposure to DDP alters genome-wide DNA methylation in the placenta obtained from term pregnancies resulting in differentially methylated loci of metabolically relevant genes and downstream changes in RNA and protein expression.

  Study phs001535

• GWAS for atrial fibrillation in the Japanese population

  We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) that utilized 8,180 atrial fibrillation cases and 28,612 controls and followed up in an additional 3,120 cases and 125,064 controls in the Japanese population. We replicated previously reported loci and identified six novel loci. Five of the six novel loci were specifically associated with atrial fibrillation in the Japanese population after comparing our data to individuals of European ancestry, suggesting there might be different susceptibility genetic factors across ancestries. Our study has discovered variants in genes HAND2, KCND3 and NEBL that are relevant to atrial fibrillation susceptibility. The involvement of PPFIA4 and SH3PXD2A in axon guidance also suggested its role in the disease pathogenesis. Our findings may contribute to a better understanding of atrial fibrillation susceptibility and pathogenesis.

  Study JGAS000101

• ALPI deficiency causes refractory Inflammation Bowel Disease

  Herein, we report the first identification of biallelic-inherited mutations in ALPI as a Mendelian cause of inflammatory bowel disease in two unrelated patients. ALPI encodes for intestinal phosphatase alkaline, a brush border metalloenzyme that hydrolyses phosphate from the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharides and thereby drastically reduces Toll-like receptor 4 agonist activity. Prediction tools and structural modelling indicate that all mutations affect critical residues or inter-subunit interactions, and heterologous expression in HEK293T cells demonstrated that all ALPI mutations were loss of function. ALPI mutations impaired either stability or catalytic activity of ALPI and rendered it unable to detoxify lipopolysaccharide-dependent signalling. Furthermore, ALPI expression was reduced in patients' biopsies, and ALPI activity was undetectable in ALPI-deficient patient's stool. Our findings highlight the crucial role of ALPI in regulating host-microbiota interactions and restraining host inflammatory responses. These results indicate that ALPI mutations should be included in screening for monogenic causes of inflammatory bowel diseases and lay the groundwork for ALPI-based treatments in intestinal inflammatory disorders.

  Study EGAS00001003350

• Sequence Analysis of Mutations and Translocations Across Breast Cancer Subtypes

  This study combined whole exome (103 samples) and whole genome (22 samples) sequencing over a total of 108 breast tumors and matched normal DNA to identify novel mutations and translocations. Samples were subjected to paired-end Illumina sequencing with goal of 30x coverage of tumor/normal for whole genomes and 100x tumor/normal coverage for whole exomes. From these sequences, we used various computational techniques to identify somatic point mutations, insertion/deletions and structural rearrangements in these tumors. From these data, we identified new insights into the rates of background mutations in these cancers, novel recurrent mutated genes, and multiple gene rearrangements. One of these rearrangements appears to be a recurrent event in breast cancer.

  Study phs000369

• NextGen Consortium: Globin Gene Expression in Sickle Cell Genotype-Specific iPS Cells

  Implement an efficient, highly reproducible and 'scalable' system for the production of large numbers of sickle cell anemia-specific iPS cells (iPSC). Derive and characterize a novel, in vitro system for the production of an unlimited supply of erythroid lineage cells from the directed differentiation of 'clinical grade' transgene-free iPS cells; use this system to recapitulate erythroid-lineage ontogeny in vitro with the sequential development of primitive and definitive erythropoiesis, accompanied by the appropriate expression of stage-specific globin genes. Identify developmental gene expression profile differences between erythroid precursors that produce primarily HbF and those that produce primarily HbA or HbS. Determine the effects of the three known HbF major quantitative trait loci (QTL) on globin gene expression in disease-specific iPS cells during in vitro erythropoiesis. Search for novel HbF genetic modifiers associated with markedly elevated HbF levels found in sickle cell anemia patients naturally, or in response to hydroxyurea treatment, by examining gene expression profiles and mRNA sequence of their iPSC-derived erythroid cells. Develop and use a CRISPR-based gene editing platform to study the effect of novel HbF genetic modifiers, explore globin switching, and correct the HbS mutation in sickle iPSC lines.

  Study phs001212

• Cell motility and migration as determinants of stem cell efficacy

  Limited stem cell migration capacities and undirected homing hamper their therapeutic efficacy. We report here the novel technology to isolate stem cell subpopulations with high migration potential. Hereby, we identified podoplanin-dependent stem cell mobility as important mechanism for their in vivo homing capacities and therapeutic efficacy as validated in preclinical models of Alzheimer´s disease and mouse glioma. In vivo applications of highly migrating stem cells resulted in remarkable improvement of targeted homing and engraftment rates. Moreover, animals receiving highly migrating stem cells showed higher recovery rates compared to unselected stem cells. This novel technology provides useful tool to improve therapeutic efficacy of stem cells and give insights into stem cell subpopulations heterogeneity with the potential of general applicability for cellular therapies.

  Study EGAS00001002478

• Changes in alternative splicing and associated neo-antigens due to therapy

  Recent studies have identified alternative splicing (AS) as a novel source of neoantigens for immunotherapy. Surprisingly little is known about the AS milieu in recurrent glioblastoma (GBM), despite this being the venue for most clinical trials. We profiled 29 primary-recurrent paired human GBM specimens via RNA sequencing and re-analyzed RNA-sequencing data from non-malignant human brain tissues. From these data, we reconstructed the landscape of AS in GBM through recurrence and contrasted that to isoforms observed in non-malignant brain. The AS events we identified were cross-referenced with single-cell GBM atlases to determine cell-type specific splicing patterns. From this we identified novel splicing events in cell-surface proteins that are suitable targets for engineered T-cell therapies. We found recurrent-specific isoforms of mitogen-activated kinase pathway genes which are expressed exclusively by GBM stem-like cells that enhance invasiveness. These studies shed light on the effect of therapy on AS and identify novel targets for emerging immunotherapies.

  Study EGAS00001004524

• Trans-ethnic genome-wide association study identifies 12 genetic loci influencing blood pressure and implicates a role for DNA methylation

  We carried out a trans-ethnic genome-wide association and replication study of blood pressure phenotypes amongst up to 320,251 individuals of East Asian, European and South Asian ancestry. We find genetic variants at 12 novel loci to be associated with blood pressure (P=3.9x10-11 to P=5.0x10-21). The sentinel blood pressure SNPs are enriched for association with DNA methylation at multiple nearby CpG sites, suggesting that at some of the loci identified DNA methylation may lie on the regulatory pathway linking sequence variation to blood pressure. The sentinel SNPs at the 12 novel loci point to genes involved in vascular smooth muscle (IGFBP3, KCNK3, PDE3A and PRDM6) and renal (ARHGAP24, OSR1, SLC22A7, TBX2) function. The novel and known genetic variants predict increased left ventricular mass, circulating levels of NT-proBNP, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (P=0.04 to 8.6x10-6). Our results provide new evidence for the role of DNA methylation in blood pressure regulation.

  Study EGAS00001001427

• RNA-Seq of novel miR (nmiR-1 and nmiR-2) overexpression and knockdown in BL

  After overexpression and knockdown of both described novel miRs nmiR-1 and nmiR-2 in BL cell lines (SU-DHL4 for nmiR-1 and Raji for nmiR-2), we performed regular RNA-Seq (including Mock controls for all cell lines) to identify their direct and indirect downstream mRNA targets.

  Dataset EGAD00001001612

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Hepatocellular Carcinoma Study by Exome Sequencing (HCCSES)

  Genetic alterations in specific driver genes lead to disruption of cellular pathways and are critical events in the instigation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. As a prerequisite for individualized cancer treatment, we sought to characterize the landscape of recurrent somatic mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma. We performed whole exome sequencing on 87 hepatocellular carcinomas and matched normal adjacent tissues to an average coverage of 59x. The overall mutation rate was roughly 2 mutations per Mb, with a median of 45 non-synonymous mutations that altered the amino acid sequence (range 2 to 381). We found recurrent mutations in several genes with high transcript levels: TP53 (18%), CTNNB1 (10%), KEAP1 (8%), C16orf62 (8%), MLL4 (7%) and RAC2 (5%). Significantly affected gene families include the nucleotide-binding domain and leucine rich repeat containing family, calcium channel subunits, and histone methyltransferases. In particular, the MLL family methyltransferases for histone H3 lysine 4 were mutated in 20% of tumors. Conclusion: The NFE2L2-KEAP1 and MLL pathways are recurrently mutated in multiple cohorts of hepatocellular carcinoma.

  Study phs000627

• CONSERTING: integrating copy number analysis with structural variation detection

  We developed Copy Number Segmentation by Regression Tree in Next Generation Sequencing (CONSERTING), a novel algorithm for detecting somatic copy number alteration (CNA) using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. CONSERTING performs iterative analysis of segmentation by read depth change and localized structural variation detection to achieve high accuracy and sensitivity. Analysis of 43 pediatric and adult cancer genomes revealed novel oncogenic CNAs, complex re-arrangements and subclonal CNAs missed by alternative approaches. This study contains all data for "CONSERTING: an accurate method for detecting somatic DNA copy number alterations in whole genome sequencing data", which was previously split between EGAS00001001202 and EGAS00001001050.

  Study EGAS00001001202

• South African Blood Regulatory (SABR) Resource

  Functional genomics resources are critical for interpreting human genetic studies, however they are predominantly from European-ancestry individuals. Here we present the South African Blood Regulatory (SABR) resource, a map of blood regulatory variation that includes three South Eastern Bantu-speaking groups. Using paired whole genome and blood transcriptome data from over 600 individuals, we map the genetic architecture of 40 blood cell traits derived from deconvolution analysis, as well as expression, splice, and cell type interaction quantitative trait loci (QTL).

  Study EGAS50000001008

• Single_cell_analysis_T_cell_activation

  We isolated naïve and memory T cells from healthy donors and cultured them in resting and stimulated conditions. We performed scRNA sequencing to assess T cell actiavtaion and perform sceQTL analysis. Major challenges for translating GWAS variants to function include identification of the disease relevant cell types in which the associated variants function. We have shown that immune-disease variants are functional in CD4+ T cell activation, and understanding how GWAS variants affect the activation efficiency is critical for development of new therapies. To perform sceQTL analysis of naïve and memory T cell activation, here we stimulated T cells and profiled single cell transcriptome at different time points following stimulation. We mapped sceQTLs affecting cell activation. 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 EGAS00001003479

• Genetic and immune landscape evolution defines subtypes of MMR deficient colorectal cancer

  Mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancers have high mutation loads and many respond to immune checkpoint-inhibitors. We investigated how genetic and immune landscapes co-evolve in these tumors. All cases had high truncal mutation loads. Driver aberrations showed a clear hierarchy despite pervasive intratumor heterogeneity: Those in WNT/βCatenin, mitogen-activated protein kinase and TGFβ receptor family genes were almost always truncal. Immune evasion drivers were predominantly subclonal and showed parallel evolution. Pan-tumor evolution, subclonal evolution, and evolutionary stasis of genetic immune evasion drivers defined three MMRd CRC subtypes with distinct T-cell infiltrates. These immune evasion drivers have been implicated in checkpoint-inhibitor resistance. Clonality and subtype assessments are hence critical for predictive immunotherapy biomarker development. Cancer cell PD-L1 expression was conditional on loss of the intestinal homeobox transcription factor CDX2. This explains infrequent PD-L1 expression by cancer cells and likely contributes to the high recurrence risk of MMRd CRCs with impaired CDX2 expression.

  Study EGAS00001005769

• WGS of MAPKi acquired resistant samples from patients and PDX models

  Blocking cancer genomic instability, which generates diverse variants that enable rapid adaptations, may prevent tumor escape from therapies. We show that, after MAPK inhibitor (MAPKi) therapy in patients and patient-derived xenografts, acquired-resistant genomes of metastatic cutaneous melanoma accumulate amplicons of resistance-driver, non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), and homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes within complex genomic rearrangements (CGRs) and extrachromosomal circular DNAs (ecDNAs). Also, chromothriptic genomic regions enrich for mutations and may engender ecDNAs and CGRs. Overall, somatic mutations within ecDNA- and CGR-amplicons enrich for HRR signatures, and, in acquired resistance, ecDNA (versus CGR) mutations enrich for APOBEC3 signatures. Breakpoint-sequence analysis suggests NHEJ as critical to double-stranded DNA break repair underlying CGR and ecDNA formation. In vivo, NHEJ-targeting by a DNA-PKCS inhibitor prevented acquired MAPKi-resistance by reducing the size of ecDNAs and CGRs early on combination treatment. Thus, targeting the cause(s), as opposed to the consequences, of genomic instability prevents acquired resistance.

  Study EGAS00001006874

• ARHGAP11A Maintains Cortical Progenitor Identity Through RHOA–ROCK Signalling During Human Brain Development

  Mammalian brain development involves coordinated progenitor amplification, migration, and differentiation. Apical progenitors (APs) establish the ventricular zone (VZ) and are key determinants of brain size and complexity. Rho-family guanosine triphosphatases (Rho GTPases) regulate cytoskeletal dynamics and AP behaviour, but how specific Rho GTPase-activating proteins (Rho GAPs) influence progenitor identity and VZ architecture remains unclear. Using human forebrain organoids, we investigated the Rho GAP ARHGAP11A in human corticogenesis. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated ARHGAP11A knockout revealed its essential role in maintaining VZ integrity. Loss of ARHGAP11A impaired neuroepithelial organisation and randomised mitotic cleavage plane orientation via the RHOA–ROCK–actin axis. This led to premature AP delamination, AP depletion, and reduced cell density and glial numbers. Pharmacological inhibition of RHOA or ROCK rescued these defects, highlighting ARHGAP11A’s role in cytoskeletal remodelling to maintain cortical progenitors. Our findings establish ARHGAP11A as a critical regulator of AP identity and VZ integrity, with broad implications for human corticogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001008322

• Epigenetic landscape of mixed phenotype leukemias

  Leukemias with ambiguous lineage comprise a number of loosely defined entities, often without a clear mechanistic basis. Here, we investigated a group of such leukemias with a CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP), previously identified as CEBPA-silenced AML. Transcriptomics and epigenomics analyses revealed a hybrid myeloid/lymphoid epigenetic landscape, whereas genetic alterations were heterogenous. This suggests that CIMP leukemias are defined by their shared epigenetic profile rather than a common genetic lesion. Gene expression enrichment showed strong similarity with ETP-ALL and an early lymphoid progenitor cell of origin. Accordingly, integration of differential methylation and expression revealed widespread silencing of myeloid transcription factors (TFs), among which CEBPA was key for differentiation arrest. Hypermethylation also resulted in loss of CTCF binding, accompanied by a few changes in chromatin interactions involving critical TFs like KLF4. In conclusion, epigenetic dysregulation, and not genetic lesions, explain the mixed phenotype of a group of CIMP leukemias resembling ETP-ALL.

  Study EGAS00001007094

• Genomic Factors Involved in Chromosome Rearrangements

  Approximately 15-20% of children referred for chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) testing have a clinically relevant CNV that in many cases explains their phenotype. The goal of this study is to discover the genomic factors that mediate chromosome rearrangements and the phenotypic effects of chromosome rearrangements. We hypothesize that particular DNA sequences are susceptible to breakage and rearrangement. To this end, we fine-map chromosome breakage sites and analyze the DNA motifs that underlie double-strand breaks (DSBs). Our studies will also capture the genomic structure of breakpoint junctions, which will allow us to determine the mechanisms of DNA repair that shape different types of chromosome rearrangements. We also correlate chromosome rearrangements with clinical features to establish genotype-phenotype correlations. Defining critical regions of deletion or duplication is the first step to identifying candidate genes responsible for particular phenotypes.

  Study phs000845

• The whole blood of female volunteers and sperm from the male volunteer were used to extract genomic DNA to do whole genome sequencing. Distinguished SNPs between parental genomes were retained to analyze parental allele-specific DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility in scCOOL-seq data.

  DNA methylation, chromatin states, and their interrelationships represent critical epigenetic information, but those are largely unknown in human early embryos. Here, we apply scCOOL-seq (Chromatin Overall Omic-scale Landscape Sequencing) to generate a genome-wide map of DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility at single-cell resolution during human preimplantation development. Unlike in mice, the chromatin of paternal genome is already more open than that of maternal genome at the mid-zygote stage in humans, and this state is maintained until the 4-cell stage. After fertilization, genes with high variations in DNA methylation and those with high variations in chromatin accessibility tend to be two different sets. Furthermore, 1,797 (35%) out of 5,155 widely open chromatin regions in promoters closed when transcription activity was inhibited, indicating a feedback mechanism between transcription and open chromatin maintenance. Our work paves the way for dissecting the complex, yet highly coordinated, epigenetic reprogramming during human preimplantation development.

  Study EGAS00001002987

• Germline Aberrations of PAX5 Cause Susceptibility to pre-B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

  A novel heterozygous germline variant, c.547G>A (p.Gly183Ser), in the paired box protein encoding gene, PAX5, was found to segregate with disease in two unrelated kindreds with autosomal dominant pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Leukemic cells from both families exhibited 9p deletion, with loss-of-heterozygosity and retention of the mutant PAX5 allele at 9p13 . Two additional sporadic ALL cases with 9p loss demonstrated PAX5 Gly183 substitution in the leukemic cells. Functional analysis of the PAX5 germline variants demonstrated reduced transcriptional activity, as well as decreased interaction with Groucho-4. These data extend the role of PAX5 alterations in the pathogenesis of pre-B ALL, and implicate PAX5 in a novel syndrome of germline susceptibility to pre-B cell neoplasia.

  Study EGAS00001000447

• Mid-frequency hearing loss is a characteristic clinical feature of OTOA-associated hearing loss

  In this study, we performed NGS analysis of a large Japanese hearing loss cohort, and identified 7 patients with OTOA-associated hearing loss. As novel clinical features identified in this study, the audiometric configurations of OTOA-associated hearing loss patients was found to be mid-frequency.

  Study JGAS000200

• Clinical and genetic analysis of a rare syndrome associated with neoteny

  We describe a novel syndrome in six patients with extreme developmental delay and the defining characteristic of neoteny. In an effort to discover any genetic causes of this syndrome whole genome sequence (WGS) analysis of the patients and their families was performed on Complete Genomics’ nanoarray platform.

  Study EGAS00001002419

• RNA-sequencing data from 195 B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemias and mate pair whole genome sequencing data from 15 B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemias

  Fusion genes are potent driver mutations in cancer. In this study, we delineate the fusion gene landscape in a consecutive series of 195 pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL). Using RNA-sequencing, we find in-frame fusion genes in 127 (65%) cases, including 27 novel fusions. We describe a new subtype characterized by recurrent IGH-DUX4 or ERG-DUX4 fusions, representing 4% of cases, leading to overexpression of DUX4 and frequently co-occurring with intragenic ERG deletions. Furthermore, we identify a subtype characterized by an ETV6-RUNX1-like gene expression profile and coexisting ETV6 and IKZF1 alterations. Taken together, this study provides a detailed overview of fusion genes in pediatric BCP ALL and adds new pathogenetic insights, which may improve risk stratification and provide novel therapeutic options in this disease.

  Study EGAS00001001795

• Genomic Profiling of Sequentially Acquired Metastatic Sites from an "Exceptional Responder" Lung Adenocarcinoma Patient Reveals Extensive Genomic Heterogeneity and Novel Somatic Variants

  We employed next-generation sequencing to identify somatic alterations in multiple metastatic sites from an "exceptional responder" lung adenocarcinoma patient during his seven year course of ERBB2-directed therapies. The degree of heterogeneity was unprecedented, with ~1% similarity between somatic alterations of the lung and lymph nodes. One novel translocation, PLAG1-ACTA2, present in both sites, up-regulated ACTA2 expression. ERBB2, the predominant driver oncogene, was amplified in both sites, more pronounced in the lung, and harbored an L869R mutation in the lymph node. Functional studies demonstrated increased proliferation, migration, metastasis, and resistance to ERBB2-directed therapy due to L869R mutation and increased migration due to ACTA2 overexpression. Within the lung, a nonfunctional CDK12, due to a novel G879V mutation, correlated with down-regulation of DNA damage response genes, causing genomic instability, and sensitivity to chemotherapy. We propose a model whereby a sub-clone metastasized early from the primary site and evolved independently in lymph nodes.

  Study phs001159

• Whole Exome Sequencing of Parathyroid Cancer Identifies Candidate Driver Mutations and Core Pathways

  Here we performed genomic characterization of twenty-nine sporadic parathyroid cancers using next generation whole exome sequencing. Thirty-three novel candidate driver genes for sporadic parathyroid cancer were proposed, in addition to previously known driver genes CDC73 and MEN1.

  Study phs001765

• IBDCA_Edinburgh

  In this experiment we have sequenced tumour normal pairs from patients presenting with CRC who have a prior history of inflammatory bowel disease. The idea is to identify driver mutations, new genes and novel pathways associated with the development of these malignancies.

  Study EGAS00001001129

• Tumor suppressor miR-133a modulates the prostate cancer epigenome by repressing BAZ2A

  Our study revealed a new subgroup of prostate tumors defined by the expression of a novel prognostic marker, BAZ2A, and the first time to show the establishment of CIMP via an microRNA-epigenetic interaction in prostate tumors.

  Study EGAS00001000568

• Whole exome sequencing of Congenital Cataract

  Whole exome sequencing to identify potentially relevant mutations of congenital cataract in a Chinese girl. The novel PAX6 mutation (c.221G>A) is associated with congenital cataract, and the WFS1 mutation (c.2070_2079del) interactively aggravates this process.

  Study EGAS00001005673

• Rare germline variants in patients with personal and family history of colorectal cancer

  A double primary colorectal cancer (CRC) in a familial setting signals a high risk of CRC. In order to find novel high/moderate penetrance CRC susceptibility genes, we performed whole-exome sequencing on germline blood samples of seven familial cases from Poland with a double primary CRC.

  Study EGAS50000000606

• Oncogenic gene fusions in primary colon cancers

  This study represents RNA-sequencing data from 278 primary colon cancers obtained from fresh-frozen tumor sections. The project goal was to identify novel oncogenic gene fusions in these data. In addition, we studied the detected gene fusions at the molecular level and defined their effects on downstream pathways.

  Study EGAS00001002197

• Unifying recovery dynamics in heterogeneous diseases exemplified by COVID-19

  Studying the recovery dynamics in different diseases poses many difficulties, as patients often display high heterogeneity in their recovery courses. Moreover, most attempts to study disease dynamics focus on disease progression rather than disease recovery mechanisms. To model recovery dynamics, using severe COVID-19 as the example, we align heterogeneous recovery trajectories via a novel computational scheme applied to longitudinally sampled blood transcriptomes. We thus generate pseudotime trajectories, which we then link to cellular and molecular mechanisms based on cell deconvolution analysis and molecular pathway prediction, thus presenting a unique framework for studying recovery processes over time. Specifically, mature neutrophils displayed a gradual decrease during recovery, allowing superior useability for outcome prediction compared to currently used clinical markers. Further, we discovered a recovery-related regulatory change in gene programs resulting in immune rebalancing between interferon and NFkB activity and the restoration of cell homeostasis. We thus propose regulatory mechanisms governing COVID-19 recovery and suggest mature neutrophils and additional gene markers, as novel clinical biomarkers for disease outcome. Overall, we present a novel clinically relevant computational framework for modeling disease recovery, paving the way for future studies of the recovery dynamics in other diseases and tissues.

  Study EGAS00001005735

• Research on the identification of cancer stem cells for peidatric and adult malignancies.

  In recent years, "cancer stem cells" have been reported to exist in many cancers. Many reports have shown that they are the main cause of cancer recurrence. The aim of this study is to test whether cancer stem cells can be identified using patient samples. We will perform omics analysis of rare pediatric cancers by integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, including somatic and germline mutations, to deepen our understanding of the biological characteristics of the target disease. Based on the knowledge gained and clinical information from patients, we will conduct preclinical pharmacological studies using mouse models and in vitro models to investigate the therapeutic effects of novel therapeutic agents and novel therapeutic strategies such as cellular therapies.

  Study JGAS000623

• Zostavax vaccination-induced changes in the T cell receptor repertoire to varicella zoster virus

  Diversity and size of the antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire are two critical determinants for successful control of chronic infection. Varicella zoster virus (VZV) that establishes latency during childhood is able to escape control mechanisms, in particular with increasing age. We examined the TCR diversity of VZV-specific CD4 T cells in individuals older than 50 years by studying three identical twin pairs and three unrelated individuals before and after vaccination with live attenuated VZV. While all individuals had a small number of dominant T cell clones, the breadth of the VZV-specific repertoire differed markedly among different individuals. A genetic influence was seen for the sharing of individual TCR sequences from antigen-specific cells, but not for repertoire richness or the selection of clonal dominance. VZV vaccination favored the expansion of infrequent VZV-specific TCRs including those from naïve T cells while leaving dominant T cell clones mostly unaffected.

  Study phs001082

• Development of cell lines and mouse models of bone and soft tissue sarcoma to establish novel treatment

  Malignant giant-cell tumors are extremely rare bone sarcomas that transform from conventional giant-cell tumors during long periods of treatment. We have applied the culture methods and succeeded in establishing patient-derived organoids (PDO) of rare sarcomas. This study aimed to investigate the genomic characteristics of our established novel organoids from human malignant giant-cell tumors. The developed tumors with xenograft were genomically analyzed to compare their characteristics with those of the original tumors. Genetic changes over time throughout treatment were analyzed, and the genomic status of the established organoid was confirmed. Next generation sequencing revealed that the established organoids lacked the H3-3A G34W mutation. The xenografted organoids of the malignant giant-cell tumor had phenotypes genetically similar to those of the original tumor. The established organoids were confirmed to be derived from human malignant giant-cell tumors. In summary, the present study demonstrated a novel organoid model of a malignant giant-cell tumor that was genetically confirmed to be a malignant transformed tumor. Our organoid model could be used to elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of a malignant giant-cell tumor and develop novel treatment modalities.

  Study JGAS000618

• Study of pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma caused by bile salt export pump deficiency

  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is almost invariably associated with an underlying inflammatory state, whose direct contribution to the acquisition of critical genomic changes is unclear. We mapped the acquired genomic alterations in human and mouse HCCs induced by defects in hepatocyte biliary transporters, which expose hepatocytes to bile salts and cause the onset of chronic inflammation that develops into cancer. In both human and mouse cancer genomes we found few somatic point mutations with no impairment of cancer genes, but instead massive gene amplification and rearrangements. This genomic landscape differs greatly from that of virus- and alcohol-associated liver cancer. Copy number gains preferentially occurred at late stages of cancer development and frequently targeted the MAPK signaling pathway, and in particular direct regulators of JNK. The pharmacological inhibition of JNK retarded cancer progression in the mouse. Our study demonstrates that intrahepatic cholestasis leading to hepatocyte exposure to bile acids and inflammation promotes cancer through genomic modifications that can be clearly distinguished from those determined by other etiological factors.

  Study EGAS00001000749

• Pediatric Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma RNA-Seq

  Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignancy amongst adolescent and young adult women. Clinical and genomic features of PTC in children differ from those in adults. Historically, a substantial proportion (~50%) of pediatric PTC (PPTC) lack any of the common driver mutations typical of adult PTC. Thus, molecular diagnostics developed for adults may not be valid in children. We applied novel bioinformatic pipelines to RNASeq analysis of pediatric thyroid tumors to identify known and novel fusion oncogenes as drivers of tumorigenesis and to define gene expression patterns among tumors. Analysis of 38 samples resulted in identification of 16 previously reported oncogenic fusions and three novel candidate fusions. In conducting these analyses, we reduced the proportion of cancers with unknown drivers from approximately 50% to 6%. Gene expression analysis identified three distinct categories of tumors. These studies represent the first unbiased genomic approach to childhood PTC. Novel bioinformatic pipeline. GEC Identified 3 distinct classes. DICER1, PTEN segregated with benign tumors. >90% of PPTC carry identifiable ongognic driver variants, however, the landscape differs from that in adults and existing tools for tumor genotyping in adults may not be applicable to pediatric tumors. BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid carcinoma demonstrates clinically distinct behaviour in pediatric patients when compared to adults, with increased regional and distal metastases, more frequent recurrence, yet overall highly favourable prognosis. Recent tumor genotyping has demonstrated that in pediatric tumors, ***-*** do not carry the most common genomic variants found in adult PTC, leaving a substantial proportion of driver-unknown or “dark matter” tumors. METHODS: We established a cohort of 52 pediatric PTC and performed quantitative-PCR genotyping followed in a subset by whole exome and whole transcriptome (RNASeq) sequencing using a novel, robust bioinformatic pipeline to identify oncogenic fusion transcripts. Gene expression analysis was used to derive distinct clusters. RESULTS: In 52 pediatric PTC, genotyping identified BRAFV600E(21%), NRASQ61R(2%), RET/PTC1 (21%), RET/PTC3 (17%) or PAX8-PPAR in 33 (63%) of tumors. Among the remaining 19 tumors, oncogenic variants were identified in /19 (%). The variants included SNVs in DICER1, ETV6-NTRK3, PTEN and 9 additional oncogenic fusions including two previously-undescribed fusion transcripts, *** and ***. CONCLUSIONS: The genomic landscape of PTC differs between children and adults. In children, there is a substantial fraction of tumors that are unexplained by variants typical of adult PTC. This discrepancy is explained largely by uncommon oncogenic fusions which can be identified by whole-transcriptome analysis.

  Study EGAS00001005182

• Methylation CYLD cutaneous syndrome

  Patients with CYLD cutaneous syndrome (CCS; syn. Brooke-Spiegler syndrome) carry germline mutations in the tumor suppressor CYLD and develop multiple skin tumors with diverse histophenotypes. We comprehensively profiled the genomic landscape of 42 benign and malignant tumors across 13 individuals from four multigenerational families. Novel recurrent mutations were found in epigenetic modifiers DNMT3A and BCOR in 29% of benign tumors. Multi-level and microdissected sampling strikingly reveal that many clones with different DNMT3A mutations exist in these benign tumors, suggesting that intra-tumor heterogeneity is common. Integrated genomic, methylation and transcriptomic profiling in selected tumours suggest that isoform specific DNMT3A2 mutations are associated with dysregulated Wnt/ß-catenin pathway signaling. Phylogenetic and mutational signature analyses confirm cylindroma pulmonary metastases from primary skin tumours. These findings add novel dimensions to existing paradigms of cutaneous tumorigenesis and metastasis.

  Study EGAS00001003800

• CRLF2_sequencing_project_

  I hope to gain insight into novel genetic aberrations present in these patients that will highlightimportant pathways that are involved in this subtype of leukaemia. It would be interesting to see ifthe mutations and pathways that are activated are consistent between the patients, or differencesare observed dependent upon whether the patient has the translocation or the PAR1 deletion. Ofnote is the high association with either numerical gains of chromosome X or numerical/structuralabnormalities of chromosome 21 (Down syndrome, iAMP21) in patients with CRLF2 deregulation. Ihope to find abnormalities linking chromosomes X and 21 to CRLF2 deregulation in BCP‐ALL. Byincluding the three patients that are normal for CRLF2, but have consistent genetic abnormalitiesfound in the experimental cohort, I expect to find genetic differences between these two groupsthat will help us to identify novel molecular targets specific to CRLF2 deregulation.

  Study EGAS00001000080

• CRLF2_sequencing_project_Exomes

  I hope to gain insight into novel genetic aberrations present in these patients that will highlight important pathways that are involved in this subtype of leukaemia. It would be interesting to see if the mutations and pathways that are activated are consistent between the patients, or differences are observed dependent upon whether the patient has the translocation or the PAR1 deletion. Of note is the high association with either numerical gains of chromosome X or numerical/structural abnormalities of chromosome 21 (Down syndrome, iAMP21) in patients with CRLF2 deregulation. I hope to find abnormalities linking chromosomes X and 21 to CRLF2 deregulation in BCP‐ALL. By including the three patients that are normal for CRLF2, but have consistent genetic abnormalities found in the experimental cohort, I expect to find genetic differences between these two groups that will help us to identify novel molecular targets specific to CRLF2 deregulation.

  Study EGAS00001000081