12536 results for ""non-traditional+communal+storytelling+approach"+novel+segment+noted+in+critical+commentary"

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• Frequent somatic transfer of mitochondrial DNA into the nuclear genome of human cancer cells

  Mitochondrial genomes are separated from the nuclear genome for most of the cell cycle by the nuclear double membrane, intervening cytoplasm and the mitochondrial double membrane. Despite these physical barriers we show that somatically acquired mitochondrial-nuclear genome fusion sequences are present in cancer cells. Most occur in conjunction with intranuclear genomic rearrangements and the features of the fusion fragments indicate that non-homologous end joining and/or replication-dependent DNA double strand break repair are the dominant mechanism involved. This study includes 12 pairs of whole-genome sequences (tumour and paired-normal), which present somatic mitochondrial DNA integrations in tumour genomes. Reference: Young Seok Ju et al., Frequent somatic transfer of mitochondrial DNA into the nuclear genome of human cancer cells, Genome Research (2015).

  Study EGAS00001001234

• Integrative Profiling of T790M Negative EGFR Mutated NSCLC Reveals Pervasive Lineage Transition and Therapeutic Opportunities

  We performed whole exome and transcriptome analysis of 59 first- and second-generation EGFR TKI resistant metastatic EGFR mutated patients to characterize and compare molecular alterations mediating resistance in T790M positive and negative disease. Transcriptomic analysis revealed ubiquitous loss of adenocarcinoma lineage gene expression in T790M negative tumors, orthogonally validated using multiplex immunohistochemistry. There was enrichment of genomic features such as TP53 alterations, 3q chromosomal amplifications, whole genome doubling and non-aging mutational signatures in T790M negative tumors. Almost half of resistant tumors were further classified as Immunehot, with clinical outcomes conditional on immune cell infiltration state and T790M status. Finally, using a Bayesian statistical approach, we explored how T790M negative and positive disease might be predicted using comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic profiles of treatment-naïve patients.

  Study EGAS00001005389

• Lung Adenocarcinoma Promotion by Air Pollutants

  A complete understanding of how environmental carcinogenic exposures promote cancer formation is lacking. Over 70 years ago, tumour formation was proposed to occur in a two step process: an initiating step which induces mutations in normal tissue, followed by a promoter step which triggers cancer development. Recent evidence has revealed healthy human tissue contains a patchwork of clones harbouring oncogenic mutations.This led us to hypothesise that environmental particulate matter measuring PM2.5, known to be associated with lung cancer risk, might promote lung cancer by acting on pre-existing cells harbouring oncogenic mutations in normal lung tissue. Here we use a combination of WGS and RNA-seq of mouse tumours from pollution-exposed mice to examine the impact of particulate matter on mutagenesis and gene expression respectively.

  Study EGAS00001006951

• The earliest stages of neoplastic transformation in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

  The succession of somatic genetic events associated with the conversion of a normal colorectal epithelial cell into a colorectal carcinoma constitutes a paradigmatic model of cancer development. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is caused by constitutional inactivating mutations in APC, the central gatekeeper gene of colorectal cancer, and is associated with a substantially increased lifetime-risk of colorectal cancer. To investigate the earliest stages of neoplastic change due to APC inactivation, we microdissected and individually whole genome sequenced 279 histologically normal and abnormal colorectal crypts from 15 individuals with FAP. Histologically normal crypts generally exhibited similar mutation burdens and mutational signatures to normal crypts from wild-type individuals of the same age, with 1/110 carrying a somatic inactivating APC mutation. By contrast, 9/18 aberrant crypt foci carried somatic APC mutations and exhibited modestly increased burdens of some mutational signatures found in normal crypts. 12/13 diminutive adenomatous polyps (less than 5mm diameter) showed somatic APC mutations and carried substantially increased mutation loads of most mutational signatures present in normal crypts. Phylogenetic trees of crypts from aberrant crypt foci and adenomatous polyps revealed that some had acquired their initiating somatic APC mutations decades previously during the first few years of life. The results catalogue the changes in somatic mutation rates, mutational processes and “driver” mutations in cancer genes during the earliest stages of colorectal neoplastic transformation initiated by APC inactivation and highlight the long periods of clonal evolution required for a cancer to develop.

  Dataset EGAD00001015477

• The earliest stages of neoplastic transformation in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

  The succession of somatic genetic events associated with the conversion of a normal colorectal epithelial cell into a colorectal carcinoma constitutes a paradigmatic model of cancer development. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is caused by constitutional inactivating mutations in APC, the central gatekeeper gene of colorectal cancer, and is associated with a substantially increased lifetime-risk of colorectal cancer. To investigate the earliest stages of neoplastic change due to APC inactivation, we microdissected and individually whole genome sequenced 279 histologically normal and abnormal colorectal crypts from 15 individuals with FAP. Histologically normal crypts generally exhibited similar mutation burdens and mutational signatures to normal crypts from wild-type individuals of the same age, with 1/110 carrying a somatic inactivating APC mutation. By contrast, 9/18 aberrant crypt foci carried somatic APC mutations and exhibited modestly increased burdens of some mutational signatures found in normal crypts. 12/13 diminutive adenomatous polyps (less than 5mm diameter) showed somatic APC mutations and carried substantially increased mutation loads of most mutational signatures present in normal crypts. Phylogenetic trees of crypts from aberrant crypt foci and adenomatous polyps revealed that some had acquired their initiating somatic APC mutations decades previously during the first few years of life. The results catalogue the changes in somatic mutation rates, mutational processes and “driver” mutations in cancer genes during the earliest stages of colorectal neoplastic transformation initiated by APC inactivation and highlight the long periods of clonal evolution required for a cancer to develop.

  Dataset EGAD00001015471

• EGA synthetic data

  Synthetic Data One of the limitations in genomics research is that human genomics data is not openly available; access must be controlled according to participant consent agreements and data protection regulations such as GDPR. Obtaining authorization to access such data can sometimes take a long time, resulting in delays to important research work. In this context, synthetic genomic and phenotype data can be useful resources for researchers to avoid these delays. Synthetic data are artificially generated datasets, often created with algorithms, which can be used without the need for authorization to test new products and tools, build technical demonstrators, validate data models, and train AI models. The EGA provides access to synthetic cohort datasets augmented with rich synthetic metadata that overcomes these real data usage restrictions. Whilst synthetic datasets are not included in the general EGA mandate and services, we can consider such submissions and evaluate their acceptance on the basis of their unique use cases not already covered by existing synthetic datasets. Access to synthetic data studies is managed by the EGA Helpdesk Data Access Committee. Study ID Title Located in EGAS00001002472 CINECA synthetic cohort EUROPE UK1 referencing fake samples Central EGA EGAS00001005591 Synthetic data - Genome in a Bottle Central EGA EGAS00001005042 Test Study for EGA using data from 1000 Genomes Project - Phase 3 Central EGA EGAS00001005702 Human genomic and phenotypic synthetic data for the study of rare diseases Central EGA EGAS50000000190 EOSC4Cancer Synthetic Colorectal Cancer Genomic data Central EGA EGAS50000000086 Synthetic - FEGA Sweden Heilsa synthetic dataset December 2023 Federated EGA Sweden EGAS50000000678 Synthetic - GDI synthetic data Federated EGA Spain

  Documentation synthetic-data

• eMERGE Network Genome-Wide Association Study of Red Cell Indices, White Blood Count (WBC) Differential, Diabetic Retinopathy, Height, Serum Lipid Levels, Specifically Total Cholesterol, HDL (High Density Lipoprotein), LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein), and Triglycerides, and Autoimmune Hypothyroidism.

  The electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Network is a consortium of five participating sites (Group Health Seattle, Marshfield Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Northwestern University, and Vanderbilt University) funded by the NHGRI to investigate the use of electronic medical record systems for genomic research. The goal of eMERGE is to conduct genome-wide association studies in approximately 19,000 individuals using EMR-derived phenotypes and DNA from linked Biorepositories. Using electronic phenotyping methods, the consortium used DNA samples from all participating sites to explore the genetic determinants of red cell indices, white blood count (WBC) differential, diabetic retinopathy, height, serum lipid levels, specifically total cholesterol, HDL (high density lipoprotein), LDL (low density lipoprotein), and triglycerides, and autoimmune hypothyroidism as well as using the phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) paradigm to replicate and discover relationships between targeted genotypes with multiple phenotypes. eMERGE led studies for which original genotyping was performed and are included in this merged set: Genome-Wide Association Study on Cataract and HDL in the Personalized Medicine Research Project Cohort, phs000170 Development and Use of Network Infrastructure for High-Throughput GWA Studies, phs000234 Vanderbilt Genome-Electronic Records (VGER) Project: QRS Duration, phs000188 Northwestern NUgene Project: Type 2 Diabetes, phs000237 A Genome-Wide Association Study of Peripheral Arterial Disease, phs000203 Sites and participants include: Vanderbilt University: BioVU, Vanderbilt's DNA databank, is an enabling resource for exploration of the relationships among genetic variation, disease susceptibility, and variable drug responses, and represents a key first step in moving the emerging sciences of genomics and pharmacogenomics from research tools to clinical practice. BioVU acquires DNA from discarded blood samples collected from routine patient care. The biobank is linked to de-identified clinical data extracted from Vanderbilt's EMR, which forms the basis for phenotype definitions used in genotype-phenotype correlations. Marshfield Clinic: The Marshfield Clinic Personalized Medicine Research Project is a population-based biobank in central Wisconsin with more than 20,000 adult subjects who provided written, informed consent to access their medical records and provided a blood sample from which DNA was extracted and plasma and serum stored. In addition to an average of 30 years of medical history data, a questionnaire about environmental exposures, including a detailed food frequency questionnaire, is available to facilitate gene/environment studies. Northwestern University: The NUgene Project is a repository with longitudinal medical information from participating patients at affiliated hospitals and outpatient clinics from the Northwestern University Medical Center. Participants' DNA samples are coupled with data from a self-reported questionnaire and continuously updated data from our Electronic Medical Record (EMR) representing actual clinical care events. Northwestern has a state-of-the art, comprehensive inpatient and outpatient EMR system of over 2 million patients. NUgene has broad access to participant data for all outpatient visits as well as inpatient data via a consolidated data warehouse. NUgene participants consent to distribution and use of their coded DNA samples and data for a broad range of genetic research by third-party investigators. Group Health(GH)/University of Washington (UW): Aging and Dementia eMERGE study biorepository leverages rich population-based longitudinal data from both electronic medical records and in-depth research data to explore genome wide associations. Participants include Seattle-area members of GH (a large integrated health care system in Washington State) consented and enrolled in 1) the UW Alzheimer's Disease Patient Registry (ADPR) and 2) the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study. The ADPR (PI: Eric B. Larson; NIH/NIA U01 AG 006781) is a population-based registry of incident dementia cases designed to identify all new Alzheimer's Disease cases within GH from 1987 to 1996. Medical history, physical, laboratory testing, and neuropsychological testing were performed on all consenting potential cases for determination of dementia status by a consensus conference. The study base of the ADPR population was stable with an attrition rate of less than 1%/year. The ACT study (PI: Eric B. Larson; NIH/NIA U01 AG 006781) is an ongoing community-based cohort study of aging and dementia. The original cohort of 2,581 randomly selected dementia-free members age 65 and older was enrolled in 1994-1996 and expanded by 811 in 2000-2002. Continuous enrollment to maintain a cohort of 2,000 dementia free persons began in 2005. Participants receive biennial assessment including cognitive status determination. The ACT sub-sample is stable; for the original cohort, median enrollment in GH was 19 years prior to joining the ACT study, and 85% of the cohort has ≥10 years of GH enrollment. DNA for the ADPR participants were obtained through a companion study, Genetic Differences in Cases and Controls (PI: Walter Kukull; NIH/NIA R01 AG007584). DNA obtained through both studies were extracted from blood using Gentra Systems Puregene methods. DNA concentration is determined by UV optical density. All samples are checked for quality by 260/280 ratio. For long-term storage, samples are aliquoted and stored at -70°C. Mayo Clinic: The Mayo biobank is a disease-specific biobank for vascular diseases including peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD patients were identified from individuals referred to the non-invasive vascular laboratory for lower extremity arterial evaluation. Since 1997, laboratory findings have been recorded into an electronic database employing an in-house software package for data archiving and retrieval; this data becomes part of the Mayo EMR. Patients referred to the center with suspected PAD undergo a comprehensive non-invasive evaluation including the ankle-brachial index (ABI) - the ratio of blood pressure measured in the upper arms divided by blood pressure measured at the ankles. Controls subjects are identified from patients referred to the Cardiovascular Health Clinic for stress ECG. The prevalence of PAD in patients with normal exercise capacity who do not have inducible ischemia on the stress ECG, was <1%. Data regarding risk factors for atherosclerosis such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and smoking are ascertained from the EMR.

  Study phs000360

• North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium Patient Registry and Biorepository

  Mitochondrial diseases are caused by dysfunction of the mitochondria, which are specialized compartments that are present in every cell of the body except red blood cells. Mitochondria generate more than 90% of the energy that the body needs to sustain life and support growth. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. This injures the cell and can cause its death. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole organ systems begin to fail, and the life of the person in whom this is happening is severely compromised. Mitochondrial diseases primarily affect children, but adult onset is becoming more and more common. Mitochondrial diseases are probably the most diverse human disorders at every level: clinical, biochemical, and genetic. Some affect only the nervous system but most affect many body systems, including the brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscles, kidney, and the endocrine and respiratory systems. Although mitochondrial disorders vary in severity, they are usually progressive, and often crippling. They can cause paralysis, seizures, mental retardation, dementia, hearing loss, blindness, weakness and premature death. Because of the range of symptoms and the frequent involvement of multiple body systems, mitochondrial diseases can be a great challenge to diagnose. Even when accurately diagnosed, they pose an even more formidable challenge to treat, as there are very few therapies and most are only partially effective. About this Study The first objective of this study is to establish a clinical registry of patients with suspected or confirmed mitochondrial diseases. We are collecting medical and family history, diagnostic test results, and prospective medical information for these patients and, using agreed procedures developed by the leading research clinicians in the field, providing, for the first time, standardized diagnoses of these complex disorders for the patients. The clinical information we collect from the participants will be used to learn about the spectrum of mitochondrial disorders and their prevalence. We will also develop studies which allow us to better understand how these diseases progress, which we do not understand well enough. When we begin clinical trials for mitochondrial diseases, patients enrolled in the registry who are identified as potentially eligible will be offered enrollment. Patients will only be included in studies if they give their consent in advance. The second objective of this study is to establish a biorepository for specimens and DNA from patients with mitochondrial diseases, in order to make materials easily available to consortium researchers.

  Study phs001538

• Genome-Wide Association of Native and Post Aspirin Platelet Function Phenotypes

  The goal of this study was to identify genetic variants in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) that are associated with previously obtained platelet function phenotypes measured in each individual under baseline conditions and following 2 weeks of low dose aspirin (ASA). During this study we performed a high density 1 million-SNP genome scan on subjects from GeneSTAR (representing 800 2-generational families with a family history of premature coronary artery disease, 60% white and 40% African American, N=3232). We identified genomic loci associated with quantitative platelet phenotypes prioritized for their biological interest, determined associations between genomic loci and baseline platelet phenotypes (primary phenotypes are platelet aggregation in platelet rich plasma induced by collagen, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid (AA), and epinephrine (Epi), determined associations between genomic loci and post-ASA platelet phenotypes, ie, measures of ASA "resistance" (primary phenotypes are as above, plus urinary levels of the prostaglandin metabolite, 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 ), and compared peaks of association between genomic loci and three common baseline platelet phenotypes (collagen-, epinephrine-, and ADP-induced aggregation in platelet rich plasma) with associations found for these same phenotypes in the Framingham Heart Study. We also determined whether any significant genotype-phenotype associations in the 1 million SNP genome scan could be localized to any specific genes or potential genes of interest using publicly available databases and further examined whether candidate genes previously associated with a specific platelet phenotype are located in a genomic region of interest as determined from the SNP genome scan. We conducted replications of our findings, and are presently involved in larger scale meta-analysis of findings for pre-aspirin and post-aspirin associations. The study population is constituted of full siblings (SIBS) (ages 35-78 years) identified from The Johns Hopkins Sibling Study, now called GeneSTAR, the spouses of the SIBS, and their adult offspring (>21 years of age). They include 3200 individuals from approximately 300 African American and 500 white extended families. "Spouse" refers to the other parent of any SIB offspring, independent of marital status. Sibship sizes among families range from 1 to 16 (excluding index cases). On average, each SIB has 2 potentially eligible offspring. A family for this study is defined by all of the full sibships and the total numbers of offspring that come from all SIBS, rather than just the nuclear family.

  Study phs000375

• The EGA Helpdesk team: 2025 in review and what we are building next

  Behind every dataset submitted, every access request processed, and every technical question answered, there is a team working quietly to keep things moving: the Helpdesk (HD). With the onset of 2026, this feels like the right moment to look back on what 2025 has been like for the HD team: the challenges we faced, how we adapted, and where we're heading next. Why the Helpdesk matters to EGA The EGA Helpdesk is more than a support channel. It plays a key role in maintaining trust in the EGA ecosystem. By supporting data submitters, researchers, Data Access Committees (DACs), and institutional partners, the HD helps ensure that data can flow securely, efficiently, and reliably. When issues arise, the Helpdesk is often the first place where their impact is felt and addressed. In that sense, the HD sits at the intersection of technology, policy, and people. One Helpdesk, two locations, one shared mission The EGA Helpdesk is a joint, distributed team working closely across two locations: CRG (Barcelona, Spain) and EMBL-EBI (Cambridge, UK). Although we are based in different institutions, we operate as a single Helpdesk, with shared workflows, priorities, and responsibility towards users. At CRG, the HD team is formed by: Andrea Max Àlex and me At EMBL-EBI, we work closely with: Silvia Coline Aravind What defines us as a team is simple: we work user-first, even under pressure. In a highly technical environment, clarity, empathy, and consistency matter just as much as tools and processes. A close collaboration across sites is essential to making that happen. What does the EGA Helpdesk do? The HD supports users across the full lifecycle of data in EGA. This includes: Data submissions, uploads, and encryption workflows. Data access requests and permissions. Questions around policies, consent, and data usage. Technical and system-related issues. Coordination between users, internal teams, and external partners. 2025: growth, change, and recalibration 2025 was a year of growth, but not always a predictable one. Early in the year, several technical and system-related challenges required us to adjust our original plans. Priorities shifted, timelines changed, and some improvements had to be rethought. For the HD team, this is often the hardest part of the job: we see delays through the eyes of users and understand the real impact they can have on ongoing research. One of the key lessons from 2025 was that stability is not only a technical challenge, but also an organisational one. Teamwork proved to be essential: anticipating peak periods, sharing context early, and coordinating closely across teams made a tangible difference. When things became complex, working together across roles and locations was what allowed us to keep moving forward. In 2025, the Helpdesk received 5.313 tickets and resolved 5.511 requests, reflecting both increased adoption of EGA and the team’s ability to absorb higher demand. At the same time, demand continued to grow. Compared to 2024, ticket creation increased by over 6%, while resolution capacity grew by more than 11%. The team not only kept up with incoming requests but also resolved part of the accumulated backlog, finishing the year having solved more tickets than were created. The real challenge of 2025 was not overall performance, but how the workload was concentrated during peak months. Seasonality and demand spikes placed pressure on the system, even while overall efficiency remained strong. On a team level, 2025 was also a year of transition. I joined the HD leadership role in January 2025, stepping into a period of change and rapid learning. Later in the year, in October, we said goodbye to Raül, and in January 2026, we welcomed Àlex, strengthening the team for the next phase. What users needed most in 2025 While requests vary widely, some themes stood out throughout the year: Support with data submissions and uploads Data access requests and permissions Technical and system-related issues As EGA matures, day-to-day operations have become more complex. Many long-running tickets are not delayed due to a lack of follow-up, but because they depend on external approvals, cross-institutional coordination, or multi-step processes. Understanding these patterns helps us focus not just on resolving tickets, but on improving how work flows through the system. Looking ahead to 2026 With a reinforced team and clearer insights from 2025, our focus for 2026 shifts from throughput to flow. Key priorities include: Strengthening our web content and documentation Reducing structural backlog Improving cross-team and cross-system coordination Anticipating peak demand earlier and planning capacity accordingly Challenges will continue to arise in 2026, as they always do. However, 2025 reinforced something important: a stable, empathetic, and well-aligned Helpdesk team is essential to supporting EGA's mission at scale. Supporting users well means supporting research, and that remains at the core of what we do.

  Blog ega-helpdesk-team-2025-in-review-and-upcoming-improvements