2197 results for "盛和资源+机构评级+2026年3月最新"

in 150.99 milliseconds.

• A Missense SNP in the Tumor Suppressor SETD2 Reduces H3K36me3 and Mitotic Spindle Integrity in Drosophila

  While examining DNA from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients we observed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs58906143,chr3:47163422 C→G (hg19); E902Q*) within SETD2 that was overrepresented in kidney cancer patients compared to control patients. This original study utilized directed sequencing of 14 genes. In an expanded study using a Taqman assay to study the specific SNP, a G allele was found in 72/493 cases (14.6%) and 24/356 (6.7%) controls. Analysis by ancestry revealed that there was there was a G allele in 50/119 (42.0%) cases and 21/71 (29.6%) controls in patients with African Ancestry while there was a G allele in 19/335 cases (5.7%) and 3/269 (1.1%) controls in patients with European Ancestry. These differences did not reach statistical significance. Concurrently, we studied the functional effect of this SNP in a Drosophila model. The homologous amino acid substitution at E741Q reduces H3K36me3 levels which could be rescued by wild type Set2. Additionally, the mutation resulted in significant defects in spindle morphogenesis, consistent with a role for SETD2 in alpha-tubulin methylation during mitosis. Data available through dbGAP include the 14 gene sequence files of 52 control and 128 RCC patients, the results of Taqman SNP (rs58906143) analysis in text files for 221 controls and 357 RCC patients, and compiled phenotype data including age and assigned race. Due to data use limitations, genotyping data for 8 RCC patients and 83 controls as well as GWAS data for ancestry determination will not be available on dbGaP, but will be made available on request.

  Study phs003474

• Asian Immune Diversity Atlas (AIDA) sQTL

  Current efforts within the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) are largely focused on defining reference human cell types using a relatively small number of samples of predominantly European origin. However, the next phase of the HCA is likely to address the topic of human diversity by comprehensively characterizing variation in cell states across age, sex, population groups, diseases and environments. To spur this next phase, and also expand the geographical scope of the HCA, we propose an HCA-Asia seed network to generate an Asian Immune Diversity Atlas (AIDA). AIDA will generate transcriptome variation datasets from 5 major Asian population groups (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, Malay), define an atlas of Asian cell types and states, and characterize their variation associated with ethnicity, age and sex. We will also formalize a study design based on common controls that can in principle reduce technical artifacts in a broad range of comparative single cell studies. This study design will be complemented with novel algorithms designed to normalize datasets of interest against the common controls, to increase the robustness of biological inferences. In addition to providing new tools and resources to the HCA, this seed network will serve as a template for future comparative studies in the single cell field.The AIDA dataset consists of scRNA-seq (10x 5′ v2 scRNA-seq) and genotype (Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array v.3) data. In the AIDA splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTL) project, we identified 11,577 independent cis-sQTLs, 607 trans-sQTLs, and 107 dynamic sQTLs. The post-imputation genotype for the Japanese and Korean cohort will be available through dbGaP. The Singaporean (ethnically Chinese, Indian and Malay) genotypes require a data access application to the HELIOS Data Access Committee (helios_science@ntu.edu.sg). European samples are used as control.

  Study phs003848

• Transcriptional Response to Hypoxia in iPSC-Derived Endothelial Cells from a High Altitude Adapted Population

  We established lymphoblastoid cell lines from 10 adult individuals of Tibetan ancestry living in the Chicago area. These lines were reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). We validated genetic ancestry by genome-wide SNP array genotyping and population genetic analyses. After being subjected to standard quality control testing iPSCs were differentiated into endothelial cells. Following differentiation, endothelial cells were isolated via a pull down protocol using beads coated with an antibody for a canonical surface cell marker of the vascular endothelium (CD144). Purified vascular endothelial cells were cultured in parallel in normoxia (20% O2) and hypoxia (1% O2) for 48 hours prior to harvesting and processing for bulk RNA-sequencing. We provide imputed genotype data and bulk RNA-sequencing data in normoxia and in hypoxia for each of the 10 individuals. We also provide multiplexed scRNA-sequencing data for the 10 Tibetan individuals pooled with 10 CHB individuals from the 1000 Genome Project. Additionally, we provide scRNAseq data for the cardiomyocytes derived from the same iPSC lines from the Tibetan individuals pooled together with cardiomyocytes derived from iPSC lines of 10 CHB individuals from the 1000 Genome Project. Lymphoblastoid cell lines from the CHB were reprogrammed to iPSCs and differentiated to cardiomyocytes using the same protocols as used for the Tibetans. The batches of 4 lines were balanced by sex and population. These iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes were cultured in hypoxia (1% O2) for 48 hours and subjected to scRNAseq in pooled batches of 3 or 4 lines. The CHB individuals included in this analysis were: NA18528, NA18531, NA18557, NA18596, NA18606, NA18608, NA18614, NA18619, NA18633, and NA18748.

  Study phs003758

• Puerto Rico Heart Health Program (PRHHP-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the “Authorized Access” section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Objectives: To investigate morbidity and mortality from Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) in Puerto Rican rural and urban men. The objectives of the study were: (1) to identify factors related to the development of CHD, (2) compare the etiology of disease in rural versus urban men, and (3) determine the prevalence and incidence of CHD and other cardiovascular diseases in Puerto Rican males.Background: As Puerto Rico became more industrialized in the 1940s and 1950s, mortality rates for CHD increased. Since many factors related to CHD can be relatively homogenous within a population, two contrasting subgroups were selected for study in Puerto Rico: a rural population of men from a mountainous community and an urban population selected from San Juan. The NHLBI initiated the Puerto Rico Heart Health Program in May, 1965 as a prospective study of lifestyle, environmental and biological factors in the progression of cardiovascular disease in Puerto Rican men.Participants: A total of 9,824 (2,976 rural, 6,848 urban) men, age 45 to 64 were examined at the baseline exam.Design: The examination consisted of standardized questionnaires to determine education, occupation, smoking habits, and physical activity. Trained interviewers conducted a nutritional survey through a 24 hour diet recall. Subjects were also examined to determine prevalent cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular abnormalities. The examination included vital capacity, a 12-lead ECG, and laboratory tests for hematocrit, glucose, serum cholesterol, serum glycercides and lipoprotein electrophoresis. A medical history was also obtained. Three additional exams, approximately three years apart, were conducted and morbidity and mortality follow-up concluded in 1980.

  Study phs003930

• DAC for Central African ancient demography processes NGS dataset

  Title DAC Ancient tree-topologies and gene-flow processes among human lineages in Africa Contacts: Paul Verdu +33144057317 paul.verdu@mnhn.fr CNRS-MNHN-Université de Paris UMR7206 Eco-anthropology Short description The Data Access Committee for acess to genotype and sample information used in the article "Ancient tree-topologies and gene-flow processes among human lineages in Africa" by Gwenna Breton et al. 2025 ensures that data-access requests comply with the Informed Consent provided by donors, and with ethical and deontological guidelines with respect to privacy. DNA samples from individuals were collected with the subjects’ informed consent following the Declaration of Helsinki guidelines and approved by the following Ethics committees: Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD, France); Cameroon Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology; Central African Republic Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche Scientifique; France Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche et de l’Innovation (Comité de Protection des Personnes DC-2016-2740); French Commission Nationale Informatique et Liberté CNIL (declaration n°1972648); Uganda National Council for Science and Technology; Institutional Review Board of the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine University of Chicago Hospitals (protocol number 16986A); Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects of the Trustees of Dartmouth College and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (protocol number 22410); Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Protocol Numbers: M980553, M050902, M090576, M10270, M180654); Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa (WIMSA); South African San Council (SASC); and the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Dnr 2019-05174). Requests for accessing all or part of the Central African data used in the article "Ancient tree-topologies and gene-flow processes among human lineages in Africa", by Gwenna Breton et al. 2024 (doi - PENDING), should be addressed to the DAC providing: 1) Data can only be used to explore human genetic evolution, evolutionary ecology and population history 2) The research institution where data will be stored and were analyses will be conducted. 3) The detailed coordinates of the researcher responsible for data storage and analyses. 4) A description (max 20 sentences) of the scientific finality and context of the project and classes of methodological analyses that will be performed to achieve it using the requested data. 5) When applicable, mention also other previously published data sets that will be used jointly with the requested datas et For accessing any or all the Central African genetic data used in the article "Ancient tree-topologies and gene-flow processes among human lineages in Africa", by Gwenna Breton et al. 2024 (doi - PENDING), the requester hereby ensures that: 1) Individual donor privacy should be respected at all times. Data cannot be made publicly available under any circumstances. 2) Data cannot be shared nor transferred to a third party without re-applying for eGA access to the DAC. 3) No direct or indirect commercial use of the data can be made 4) No individual medical genetics or disease diagnostics can be performed with the data 5) No medical or legal forensic investigations can be conducted with the data 6) No genealogical research can be conducted with the data (e.g. no paternity nor maternity testing, no genetic identification, no search of relatives using other datasets) 7) Appropriate citation of the article and data set used for any scientific communication using the data 8) Data is destroyed after the completion of the project. Any further re-use of the data is subject to a novel application to the DAC.

  Dac EGAC50000000447

• Somatic Mutation in Normal Bladder Study

  Adult human somatic tissues are landscapes of mutant clones, but little is known about how these landscapes are shaped by known cancer risk factors. The goal of this study was to determine how the main bladder cancer risk factors (sex and smoking) change the mutational landscape of the normal urothelium. We collected normal urothelium from 45 donors at autopsy by brushing ~2cm² of the surface epithelium in the upper part (dome) and lower part (trigone) of the bladder (79 samples total). To identify mutations with high sensitivity we employed ultradeep (~5000x) DNA error-correcting duplex-sequencing on a panel of 15 protein coding genes and the TERT promoter, previously described to be under positive selection in normal urothelium or relevant to bladder cancer. We identified thousands of clonal driver mutations, which demonstrate pervasive positive selection in the normal urothelium. Males showed a significantly higher number of driver truncating mutations in RBM10, CDKN1A and ARID1A, despite similar rates of non-coding mutations, indicating stronger positive selection and clonal expansion in the male urothelium. We also discovered clonal expansions driven by activating TERT promoter mutations in the normal bladder, which were strongly associated with age and smoking. These results demonstrate that sex and smoking shape the clonal landscape of the normal bladder and indicate that the high mutational content of normal tissues might be leveraged to study the effect of mutations in vivo (i.e. natural saturation mutagenesis). We will deposit in dbGaP de-identified relevant clinical information from the 45 donors and the fastq files derived from duplex sequencing of the 79 samples in the study. We will also deposit fastq files derived from duplex sequencing of 3 control cord blood samples.

  Study phs004105

• Involvement of the FGF8/FGF Receptor Signaling Pathway in the Maintenance and Progression of Fusion-Positive Rhabdomyosarcoma

  In our previous work, we used a myoblast model of fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma (FP-RMS) to demonstrate that FGF8, a target of the PAX3-FOXO1 (P3F) transcription factor, is essential for tumorigenicity driven by P3F. When aberrantly expressed, FGF8 can also sustain tumorigenicity in recurrent tumors that are independent of P3F. In this study, we report that FGF8, along with its receptors FGFR1 and FGFR4, is often highly expressed in FP-RMS tumors. We found that high levels of FGF8 expression in FP-RMS cells correlate with increased sensitivity to an FGFR4 inhibitor and a pan-FGFR inhibitor. Conversely, downregulating FGF8 led to a loss of sensitivity to these inhibitors. Interestingly, when FGF8 was upregulated in myoblasts, it resulted in decreased FGFR4 expression and sensitized the cells to an FGFR1 inhibitor and a pan-FGFR inhibitor. The downregulation of FGFR4 expression mediated by FGF8 could be reversed by inhibiting FGFR1, MEK, or ERK, thereby defining a signaling pathway through which FGF8 exerts its regulatory effects. Additionally, we discovered that high FGF8 expression in P3F-independent recurrent tumors is due to a rearrangement of viral long terminal repeat (LTR) sequences into the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of FGF8, leading to increased stability of FGF8 mRNA. These findings indicate that FGF8 plays an oncogenic role in FP-RMS through FGFR4 and may also exert oncogenic effects in P3F-independent relapses via FGFR1. Our study highlights the functional significance of FGF8 in FP-RMS and supports the rationale for preclinical investigations of FGFR inhibitors in treating this type of cancer.

  Study phs004009

• Driver mutations in histone H3.3 and chromatin remodelling genes in paediatric glioblastoma

  Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal brain tumour in adults and children. However, DNA copy number and gene expression signatures indicate differences between adult and paediatric cases. To explore the genetic events underlying this distinction, we sequenced the exomes of 48 paediatric GBM samples. Somatic mutations in the H3.3-ATRX-DAXX chromatin remodelling pathway were identified in 44% of tumours (21/48). Recurrent mutations in H3F3A, which encodes the replication-independent histone 3 variant H3.3, were observed in 31% of tumours, and led to amino acid substitutions at two critical positions within the histone tail (K27M, G34R/G34V) involved in key regulatory post-translational modifications. Mutations in ATRX (alpha-thalassaemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked) and DAXX (death-domain associated protein), encoding two subunits of a chromatin remodelling complex required for H3.3 incorporation at pericentric heterochromatin and telomeres, were identified in 31% of samples overall, and in 100% of tumours harbouring a G34R or G34V H3.3 mutation. Somatic TP53 mutations were identified in 54% of all cases, and in 86% of samples with H3F3A and/or ATRX mutations. Screening of a large cohort of gliomas of various grades and histologies (n=784) showed H3F3A mutations to be specific to GBM and highly prevalent in children and young adults. Furthermore, the presence of H3F3A/ATRX-DAXX/TP53 mutations was strongly associated with alternative lengthening of telomeres and specific gene expression profiles. This is, to our knowledge, the first report to highlight recurrent mutations in a regulatory histone in humans, and our data suggest that defects of the chromatin architecture underlie paediatric and young adult GBM pathogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001000226

• The University of Hong Kong Gastric Cancer Organoids RHO Signaling Study

  Objective: Cell-cell (CC) and cell-matrix (CM) adhesions are essential for epithelial cell survival, yet dissociation-induced apoptosis is frequently circumvented in malignant cells. Design: We explored CC and CM dependence in 58 gastric cancer (GC) organoids by withdrawing either ROCK inhibitor, matrix, or both, to evaluate their tumorigenic potential in terms of apoptosis resistance, correlation with oncogenic driver mutations and clinical behaviour. We performed mechanistic studies to determine the role of diffuse-type GC drivers: ARHGAP fusions, RHOA, and CDH1, in modulating CC (CCi) or CM (CMi) adhesion independence. Results: 97% of the tumour organoids were CMi, 66% were CCi and 52% were resistant to double withdrawal (CCi/CMi), while normal organoids were neither CMi nor CCi. Clinically, the CCi/CMi phenotype was associated with an infiltrative tumour edge and advanced tumour stage. Moreover, the CCi/CMi transcriptome signature was associated with poor patient survival when applied to 3 public GC datasets. CCi/CMi and CCi phenotypes were enriched in diffuse-type GC organoids, especially in those with oncogenic driver perturbation of RHO signalling via RHOA mutation or ARHGAP fusions. Inducible knockout of ARHGAP fusions in CCi/CMi tumour organoids led to re-sensitization to CC/CM dissociation-induced apoptosis, upregulation of focal adhesion and tight junction genes, partial reversion to a more normal cystic phenotype, and inhibited xenograft formation. Normal gastric organoids engineered with CDH1 or RHOA mutations became CMi or CCi, respectively. Conclusions: The CCi/CMi phenotype has a critical role in malignant transformation and tumour progression, offering new mechanistic information on RHO-ROCK pathway inhibition that contributes to GC pathogenicity.

  Study EGAS00001006252

• Whole-exome Sequencing Combined with Functional Genomics Reveals Novel Candidate Driver Cancer Genes in Endometrial Cancer

  Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy, with more than 280,000 cases occurring annually worldwide. Although previous studies have identified important common somatic mutations in endometrial cancer, they have primarily focused on a small set of known cancer genes and have thus provided a limited view of the molecular basis underlying this disease. Here we developed an integrated systems biology approach to identifying novel cancer genes contributing to endometrial tumorigenesis. We first performed whole-exome sequencing on 13 endometrial cancers and matched normal samples, systematically identifying somatic alterations with high precision and sensitivity. We then combined bioinformatics prioritization with high-throughput screening (including both shRNA-mediated knockdown and expression of wild type and mutant constructs) in a highly sensitive cell viability assay. Our results revealed 12 potential driver cancer genes including 10 tumor suppressor candidates (ARID1A, INHBA, KMO, TTLL5, GRM8, IGFBP3, AKTIP, PHKA2, TRPS1 and WNT11) and two oncogene candidates (ERBB3 and RPS6KC1). The results in the “sensor” cell line were recapitulated by siRNA-mediated knockdown in endometrial cancer cell lines. Focusing on ARID1A, we integrated mutation profiles with functional proteomics in 222 endometrial cancer samples, demonstrating that ARID1A mutations frequently co-occur with mutations in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway and are associated with PI3K pathway activation. siRNA knockdown in endometrial cancer cell lines increased AKT phosphorylation supporting ARID1A as a novel regulator of PI3K pathway activity. Our study presents the first unbiased view of somatic coding mutations in endometrial cancer and provides functional evidence for diverse driver genes and mutations in this disease.

  Study EGAS00001000318

• A genome scan for genes underlying adult body size differences between Central African hunter-gatherers and farmers.

  The evolutionary and biological bases of the Central African pygmy phenotype, a characteristic of rainforest huntergatherers defined by reduced body size compared with neighboring farmers, remain largely unknown. Here, we perform a joint investigation in Central African hunter-gatherers and farmers of adult standing height, sitting height, leg length, and body mass index (BMI), considering 358 hunter-gatherers and 169 farmers with genotypes for 153,798 SNPs. In addition to reduced standing heights, hunter-gatherers have shorter sitting heights and leg lengths and higher sitting/standing height ratios than farmers and lower BMI for males. Standing height, sitting height, and leg length are strongly correlated with inferred levels of farmer genetic ancestry, whereas BMI is only weakly correlated, perhaps reflecting greater contributions of non-genetic factors to body weight than to height. Single- and multi-marker association tests identify one region and eight genes associated with hunter-gatherer/farmer status, and 24 genes associated with the height-related traits. Many of these genes have putative functions consistent with roles in determining their associated traits and the pygmy phenotype, and they include three associated with standing height in non-Africans (PRKG1, DSCAM, MAGI2). We find evidence that European height-associated SNPs or variants in linkage disequilibrium with them contribute to standing- and sitting-height determination in Central Africans, but not to the differential status of hunter-gatherers and farmers. These findings provide new insights into the biological basis of the pygmy phenotype, and they highlight the potential of cross-population studies for exploring the genetic basis of phenotypes that vary naturally across populations. Pemberton et al. Human Genetics 2018 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00439-018-1902-3

  Study EGAS00001002975

• Systems biology of Colorectal Cancer

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

  Study EGAS00001000854

• Mutational patterns and regulatory networks in epigenetic subgroups of meningioma (H033)

  DNA methylation patterns delineate clinically relevant subgroups of meningioma. We previously established the six meningioma methylation classes (MC) benign-1, 2, 3, intermediate-A, B and malignant. Here, we set out to identify subgroup-specific mutational patterns and pathway regulation. Whole-genome-sequencing was performed on 62 samples across all MCs and WHO grades from 62 patients with matched blood control, including 40 sporadic and 22 radiation-induced (Mrad) meningiomas. RNA sequencing was added for 18 cases and chromatin-immunoprecipitation for the enhancer mark H3K27ac followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) for 16 samples. Besides the known mutations in meningioma, structural alterations were found to contribute to the spectrum of mechanisms inactivating NF2 in sporadic meningioma similar to previous reports for Mrad. Aberrations of DMD were found to be enriched in MCs with NF2 mutations and DMD was among the most differentially upregulated genes in NF2 mutant compared to NF2 wild-type cases. The mutational signature AC3 was detected in both sporadic meningioma and Mrad, but distributed across the genome in sporadic cases and enriched near genomic breakpoints in Mrad. In general, the malignant MC presented a significantly higher exposure to AC3 and higher genomic instability beyond the mutational load than the other MCs. Pathway analysis of the ChIP-seq clusters revealed that the FOXM1 is most differentially activated in high-grade cases, along with super enhancer recruitment near HOX genes and respective upregulation of expression. This data further elucidate the biological mechanisms differentiating meningiomas of different WHO grade and epigenetic subgroups and suggest leveraging the genomic instability as novel therapeutic targets.

  Study EGAS00001003481

• The Genetic Landscape of BCL2 Break Negative Follicular Lymphoma

  Background: 15% of high and 50% of low stage FL lack the t(14;18). Nevertheless, most of these cases express BCL2 by so far unknown mechanisms. Principals/Methodology: To find molecular mechanisms, triggering FL-pathogenesis in t(14;18)-negative FL, the exonic SNV-profiles of 33 FL with and 16 FL without t(14;18) were assessed by whole exome-sequencing and external SNV-data integration. The SNV-profile of the whole exome-sequenced FL was correlated with copy number, LOH and gene-expression data. Finally, the N-glycosylation status was assessed (LympTrack assay) in a separate validation cohort. Results: SNVs in FL with and without t(14;18) affected different genes, but accumulated in similar pathways, e.g. apoptosis, epigenetic processes and cell cycle/proliferation. Mutations in genes associated with immune-response were more prominently and those associated with NFkB and N-glycosylation selectively enriched in t(14;18)-negative FL. ~50% of mutated genes showed BCL2-asociation at high confidence in FL with and without t(14;18). Moreover, among the genes mutated in t(14;18)-negative FL 555 (~1/3) were affected by copy number alterations and/or copy-neutral LOH, 125 were differently expressed between FL with and without t(14;18) (p<0.01) and 62 were differentially expressed and affected by copy number alterations and/or copy-neutral LOH. N-glycosylation was strongly reduced in t(14;18)-negative FL as compared to results reported for historical FL cohorts. Conclusion: These results suggest a stronger crosstalk with the microenvironment that may compensate for the lack of N-glycosylation and a diverse portfolio of SNVs that may contribute to the upregulation of BCL2 and FL pathogenesis in t(14;18)-negative FL.

  Study EGAS00001002164

• Genomic landscape of oral cancers (Illumina RNA-Seq)

  Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary but insufficient cause of a subset of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) that is increasing markedly in frequency. To identify contributory, secondary genetic alterations in these cancers, we used comprehensive genomics methods to compare 149 HPV-positive and 335 HPV-negative OSCC tumor/normal pairs. Different behavioral risk factors underlying the two OSCC types were reflected in distinctive genomic mutational signatures. In HPV-positive OSCC, the signatures of APOBEC cytosine deaminase editing, associated with anti-viral immunity, were strongly linked to overall mutational burden. By contrast, in HPV-negative OSCC, T>C substitutions in the sequence context 5’-ATN-3’ correlated with tobacco exposure. Universal expression of HPV E6*1 and E7 oncogenes was a sine qua non of HPV-positive OSCC. Significant enrichment of somatic mutations was confirmed or newly identified in PIK3CA, KMT2D, FGFR3, FBXW7, DDX3X, PTEN, TRAF3, RB1, CYLD, RIPK4, ZNF750, EP300, CASZ1, TAF5, RBL1, IFNGR1 and NFKBIA. Of these, many affect host pathways already targeted by HPV oncoproteins, including the p53 and pRB pathways, or disrupt host defenses against viral infections, including interferon and nuclear factor-B signaling. Frequent copy number changes were associated with concordant changes in gene expression. Chr. 11q (including CCND1) and 14q (including DICER1 and AKT1) were recurrently lost in HPV-positive OSCC, in contrast to their gains in HPV-negative OSCC. High-ranking variant allele fractions implicated ZNF750, PIK3CA and EP300 mutations as candidate driver events in HPV-positive cancers. We conclude that virus-host interactions cooperatively shape the unique genetic features of these cancers, distinguishing them from their HPV-negative counterparts.

  Study EGAS00001003237

• Genomic landscape of oral cancers (Complete Genomics WGS)

  Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary but insufficient cause of a subset of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) that is increasing markedly in frequency. To identify contributory, secondary genetic alterations in these cancers, we used comprehensive genomics methods to compare 149 HPV-positive and 335 HPV-negative OSCC tumor/normal pairs. Different behavioral risk factors underlying the two OSCC types were reflected in distinctive genomic mutational signatures. In HPV-positive OSCC, the signatures of APOBEC cytosine deaminase editing, associated with anti-viral immunity, were strongly linked to overall mutational burden. By contrast, in HPV-negative OSCC, T>C substitutions in the sequence context 5’-ATN-3’ correlated with tobacco exposure. Universal expression of HPV E6*1 and E7 oncogenes was a sine qua non of HPV-positive OSCC. Significant enrichment of somatic mutations was confirmed or newly identified in PIK3CA, KMT2D, FGFR3, FBXW7, DDX3X, PTEN, TRAF3, RB1, CYLD, RIPK4, ZNF750, EP300, CASZ1, TAF5, RBL1, IFNGR1 and NFKBIA. Of these, many affect host pathways already targeted by HPV oncoproteins, including the p53 and pRB pathways, or disrupt host defenses against viral infections, including interferon and nuclear factor-B signaling. Frequent copy number changes were associated with concordant changes in gene expression. Chr. 11q (including CCND1) and 14q (including DICER1 and AKT1) were recurrently lost in HPV-positive OSCC, in contrast to their gains in HPV-negative OSCC. High-ranking variant allele fractions implicated ZNF750, PIK3CA and EP300 mutations as candidate driver events in HPV-positive cancers. We conclude that virus-host interactions cooperatively shape the unique genetic features of these cancers, distinguishing them from their HPV-negative counterparts.

  Study EGAS00001002393

• Integrative genomic analysis reveals cancer-associated mutations at diagnosis of CML in patients with high risk disease

  Genomic events associated with poor outcome in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are poorly understood. We performed whole exome sequencing, copy number variation and/or RNA-Seq for 65 patients to discover mutations at diagnosis and blast crisis (BC). Forty-six chronic phase patients with the extremes of outcome were studied at diagnosis. Cancer gene variants were detected in 15/27 patients (56%) with subsequent BC or poor outcome and in 3/19 optimal responders (16%), P=.007. Frequently mutated genes at diagnosis were ASXL1, IKZF1 and RUNX1. The methyltransferase SETD1B was a novel recurrently mutated gene. A novel class of variant associated with the Philadelphia translocation was detected at diagnosis in 11/46 patients (24%) comprising fusions and/or rearrangement of genes on the translocated chromosomes, with evidence of fragmentation, inversion and imperfect sequence reassembly. These were more frequent at diagnosis in patients with poor outcome: 9/27 (33%) versus 2/19 optimal responders (11%), P=.07. Thirty-nine patients were tested at BC and all had cancer gene variants, including ABL1 kinase domain mutations in 58%. However, ABL1 mutations co-occurred with other mutated cancer genes in 89% of cases, and these predated ABL1 mutations in 62% of evaluable patients. Gene fusions not associated with the Philadelphia translocation occurred in 42% of patients at BC and commonly involved fusion partners that were known cancer genes (78%). Genomic analysis revealed numerous relevant variants at diagnosis in patients with poor outcome and all patients at BC. Future refined biomarker testing of specific variants will likely provide prognostic information to facilitate a risk-adapted therapeutic approach.

  Study EGAS00001003071

• Characterization of a human iPSC-derived endocrine pancreas model

  Directed differentiation of stem cells offers a scalable solution to the need for human cell models recapitulating islet biology and T2D pathogenesis. We profiled mRNA expression at six stages of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) model of endocrine pancreas development from two donors, and characterized the distinct transcriptomic profiles associated with each stage. Established regulators of endodermal lineage commitment, such as SOX17 (log2 fold change [FC] compared to iPSCs=14.2, p-value=4.9x10-5) and the pancreatic agenesis gene GATA6 (log2 FC=12.1, p-value=8.6x10-5), showed transcriptional variation consistent with their known developmental roles. However, these analyses highlighted many other genes with stage-specific expression patterns, some of which may be novel drivers or markers of islet development. For example, the leptin receptor gene, LEPR, was most highly expressed in published data from in vivo-matured cells compared to our endocrine pancreas-like cells (log2 FC=5.5, p-value=2.0x10-12), suggesting a role for the leptin pathway in the maturation process. Endocrine pancreas-like cells showed significant stage-selective expression of adult islet genes, including INS, ABCC8, and GLP1R, and enrichment of relevant GO-terms (e.g. "insulin secretion"; odds ratio=4.2, p-value=1.9x10-3): however, principal component analysis indicated that in vitro-differentiated cells were more immature than adult islets. Integration of the stage-specific expression information with genetic data from T2D genome-wide association studies revealed that 46 of 82 T2D-associated loci harbor genes present in at least one developmental stage, facilitating refinement of potential effector transcripts. Together, these data show that expression profiling in an iPSC islet development model can further understanding of islet biology and T2D pathogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001001803

• Integrated genomic analyses reveal molecular correlates of clinical response and resistance to atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

  Atezolizumab (anti–programmed death-ligand 1 [anti-PD-L1]) and bevacizumab (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor [anti-VEGF]) combination therapy has become the new standard of care in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. However, potential predictive biomarkers and mechanisms of response and resistance remain less understood. We report integrated molecular analyses of tumor samples from 358 patients enrolled in the GO30140 phase 1b or IMbrave150 phase 3 trials who were treated with atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab, atezolizumab alone, or sorafenib. Pre-existing immunity assessed by high expression of CD274 (PD-L1 mRNA), T-effector signature, and intratumoral CD8+ T cell density were associated with response and better clinical outcomes with the combination treatment. Less clinical benefit was associated with high regulatory T cell (Treg) to effector T-cell ratio and high expression of oncofetal genes such as GPC3 and AFP. Improved outcomes from the combination vs atezolizumab alone appeared to be associated with high expression of KDR (VEGFR2), Treg, and myeloid inflammation signatures, indicating anti-VEGF may contribute by targeting these axes. These findings were further validated by transcriptome analysis of paired pre- and post-treatment biopsies, in situ analysis by multiplex IHC and digital pathology, and in vivo study of an immunogenic hepatocellular carcinoma mouse model. Our findings highlight that anti-VEGF therapy might augment antitumor immunity and enhance anti–PD-L1 immunotherapy by targeting VEGF-mediated angiogenesis, Treg proliferation, and myeloid cell inflammation. Furthermore, our study identified candidate biomarkers for predicting response and resistance to anti–PD-L1 and anti-VEGF combination therapy.

  Study EGAS00001005503

• Genetics and therapeutic responses to TIL therapy of pancreatic cancer PDX models

  Pancreatic cancer is the 7th leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Checkpoint immunotherapy has not yet showed encouraging results in pancreatic cancer possibly owing to a poor immunogenicity and/or an immune suppressive microenvironment. The aim of this study was to develop patient-derived xenografts (PDX) models and to assess if autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) would have anti-tumoral activity in pancreatic cancer. Tumor biopsies from 29 patients were subcutaneously transplanted into NOG mice. Tumor growths were confirmed in 11 out of 29 transplantations. The PDX tumors histologically resembled their original biopsies, but since stromal cells in the PDX model tumors were from mouse, their gene expression differed from the original biopsies. Immune checkpoint ligands other than PD-L1 were expressed in pancreatic cancers but PD-L1 was rarely expressed. One of the three tumors that did express PD-L1 was an adenosquamous cancer and another had a mismatch repair deficiency. TILs were expanded from six tumors and were injected into NOG or human interleukin-2 transgenic-NOG (hIL2-NOG) mice carrying PDX tumors. Regression of tumors could be verified in hIL2-NOG mice in 3 of the 6 PDX models treated with autologous TILs, including the adenosquamous PDX model. In conclusion, PDX models of pancreatic cancer can be used to learn more about tumor characteristics and biomarkers, and to evaluate responses to ACT and combination therapies. The major benefit of the model is that modifications of T cells can be tested in an autologous humanized mouse model to gain preclinical data to support the initiation of a clinical trial.

  Study EGAS00001005596

• Genomic landscape of oral cancers (Illumina WGS)

  Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary but insufficient cause of a subset of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) that is increasing markedly in frequency. To identify contributory, secondary genetic alterations in these cancers, we used comprehensive genomics methods to compare 149 HPV-positive and 335 HPV-negative OSCC tumor/normal pairs. Different behavioral risk factors underlying the two OSCC types were reflected in distinctive genomic mutational signatures. In HPV-positive OSCC, the signatures of APOBEC cytosine deaminase editing, associated with anti-viral immunity, were strongly linked to overall mutational burden. By contrast, in HPV-negative OSCC, T>C substitutions in the sequence context 5’-ATN-3’ correlated with tobacco exposure. Universal expression of HPV E6*1 and E7 oncogenes was a sine qua non of HPV-positive OSCC. Significant enrichment of somatic mutations was confirmed or newly identified in PIK3CA, KMT2D, FGFR3, FBXW7, DDX3X, PTEN, TRAF3, RB1, CYLD, RIPK4, ZNF750, EP300, CASZ1, TAF5, RBL1, IFNGR1 and NFKBIA. Of these, many affect host pathways already targeted by HPV oncoproteins, including the p53 and pRB pathways, or disrupt host defenses against viral infections, including interferon and nuclear factor-B signaling. Frequent copy number changes were associated with concordant changes in gene expression. Chr. 11q (including CCND1) and 14q (including DICER1 and AKT1) were recurrently lost in HPV-positive OSCC, in contrast to their gains in HPV-negative OSCC. High-ranking variant allele fractions implicated ZNF750, PIK3CA and EP300 mutations as candidate driver events in HPV-positive cancers. We conclude that virus-host interactions cooperatively shape the unique genetic features of these cancers, distinguishing them from their HPV-negative counterparts.

  Study EGAS00001003228

• The clinical utility of genomics in childhood cancer extends beyond targetable mutations

  Survival of children with relapsed cancer remains unacceptably low. Cancer genomic profiling may identify new therapeutic options, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and improve understanding of tumors’ origins and continued evolution. We deeply sequenced 864 cancer-associated genes and the complete genomes and transcriptomes for 300 pediatric and adolescent/young adult (AYA) patients with poor prognosis or rare tumors. Using integrative somatic-germline analyses, we assessed the clinical utility of cancer genomics in this population. We analyzed tumor mutational signatures and burden to interrogate the relevance of germline variants in DNA repair genes and the impact of therapeutic exposures on tumor evolution. We also evaluated the frequency of changes to tumor drivers and therapeutic targets at relapse in those with serial samples. Integrative analysis yielded clinically actionable variants in a majority of patients. Improved diagnostic accuracy led to modified management in a subset. Therapeutically targetable variants were of unanticipated timing and type, with many of these derived from the germline. Enrichment in corroborating mutational signature 3 (‘BRCAness’) in patients with germline homologous recombination defects suggests they are drivers of pediatric cancers and potential targets for PARP inhibition. We show that mutation burden, which may in part be driven by prior therapeutic exposures, was significantly elevated in a minority of patients. Over one-third of patients with sequential samples analyzed showed a change in therapeutically-targetable drivers. Comprehensive somatic-germline cancer genomic profiling is useful at multiple points in the care trajectory for pediatric/AYA patients, supporting its integration into early clinical management. Re-biopsy at the time of relapse should be considered, and specific attention to mutational burden is indicated. Defective DNA repair genes in the germline may represent important targetable drivers.

  Study EGAS00001006034

• Profiling the unique protective properties of intracranial arterial endothelial cells

  Cardiovascular disorders, like atherosclerosis and hypertension, are increasingly known to be associated with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). In particular, intracranial atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of VCI, although plaque development occurs later in time and is structurally different compared to atherosclerosis in extracranial arteries. Recent data suggest that endothelial cells (ECs) that line the intracranial arteries may exert anti-atherosclerotic effects due to yet unidentified pathways. To gain insights into underlying mechanisms, we isolated post-mortem endothelial cells from both the intracranial basilar artery (BA) and the extracranial common carotid artery (CCA) from the same individual (total of 15 individuals) with laser capture microdissection. RNA sequencing revealed a distinct molecular signature of the two endothelial cell populations of which the most prominent ones were validated by means of qPCR. Our data reveal for the first time that intracranial artery ECs exert an immune quiescent phenotype. Secondly, genes known to be involved in the response of ECs to damage (inflammation, differentiation, adhesion, proliferation, permeability and oxidative stress) are differentially expressed in intracranial ECs compared to extracranial ECs. Finally, Desmoplakin (DSP) and Hop Homeobox (HOPX), two genes expressed at a higher level in intracranial ECs, and Sodium Voltage-Gated Channel Beta Subunit 3 (SCN3B), a gene expressed at a lower level in intracranial ECs compared to extracranial ECs, were shown to be responsive to shear stress and/or hypoxia. With our data we present a set of intracranial-specific endothelial genes that may contribute to its protective phenotype, thereby supporting proper perfusion and consequently may preserve cognitive function. Deciphering the molecular regulation of the vascular bed in the brain may lead to the identification of novel potential intervention strategies to halt vascular associated disorders, such as atherosclerosis and vascular cognitive dysfunction.

  Study EGAS00001004479

• Analysis of error profiles in deep next-generation sequencing data

  BackgroundSequencing errors are key confounding factors for detecting low-frequency genetic variants that are important for cancer molecular diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance using deep next-generation sequencing (NGS). However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of errors introduced at various steps of a conventional NGS workflow, such as sample handling, library preparation, PCR enrichment, and sequencing. In this study, we use current NGS technology to systematically investigate these questions.ResultsBy evaluating read-specific error distributions, we discover that the substitution error rate can be computationally suppressed to 10-5 to 10-4, which is 10- to 100-fold lower than generally considered achievable (10-3) in the current literature. We then quantify substitution errors attributable to sample handling, library preparation, enrichment PCR, and sequencing by using multiple deep sequencing datasets. We find that error rates differ by nucleotide substitution types, ranging from 10-5 for A>C/T>G, C>A/G>T, and C>G/G>C changes to 10-4 for A>G/T>C changes. Furthermore, C>T/G>A errors exhibit strong sequence context dependency, sample-specific effects dominate elevated C>A/G>T errors, and target enrichment PCR led to aprox 6-fold increase of overall error rate. We also find that more than 70% of hotspot variants can be detected at 0.1% - 0.01% frequency with the current NGS technology by applying in-silico error suppression.ConclusionsWe present the first comprehensive analysis of sequencing error sources in conventional NGS workflows. The error profiles revealed by our study highlight new directions for further improving NGS analysis accuracy both experimentally and computationally, ultimately enhancing the precision of deep sequencing.

  Study EGAS00001003444

• MethylationEPIC BeadChip samples of pre- and post-5ZA-treated head and neck cancer patients refractory to anto-PD-1 therapy

  Background Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is an effective treatment in a subset of patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, most patients are refractory. Methods In a non-randomized, open-label phase 1b clinical trial, participants with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC were treated with low-dose 5’azacytidine (5’aza) daily for either 5- or 10-days in combination with fixed doses of durvalumab and tremelimumab after progression on ICB therapy. The primary objective was to assess the biologically effective dose of 5’aza as determined by molecular changes in paired baseline and on-treatment tumor biopsies; the secondary objective was safety. Results Thirty-eight percent (3/8) of participants with evaluable paired tissue samples had a greater than 2-fold increase from baseline in interferon-gamma (IFN-ɣ) signature and CD274 (programmed cell death protein 1 ligand, PD-L1) expression within the tumor microenvironment (TME), which was associated with increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and decreased infiltration of CD4+ T regulatory cells. The mean neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) decreased by greater than 50%, from 14.2 (SD 22.6) to 6.9 (SD 5.2). Median overall survival (OS) was 16.3 months (95% CI 1.9, NA) and 2-year OS rate was 24.7% (95% CI: 4.5%, 53.2%) with 58% (7/12) of treated participants demonstrated prolonged OS of greater than 12 months. Conclusion Our findings suggest that low-dose 5’aza can reprogram systemic host immune responses and the local TME to increase IFN-ɣ and PD-L1 expression. The increased expression of these established biomarkers correlated with prolonged OS upon re-challenge with ICB.

  Study EGAS00001007998

• Gliomas, glioneuronal and neuronal tumors

  The dataset represents a total of 85 DNA samples from 22 male and 20 female pediatric patients affected with gliomas, glioneuronal, and neuronal tumors. The samples were subject to whole genome sequencing, WGS, [71 samples, (representing 18 male and 17 female individuals)] and whole exome sequencing, WES, [14 samples, (representing 4 males and 3 female individuals)]. One tumor tissue sample and one peripheral blood sample were analyzed from each of 84 patients, whereas two tumor tissue samples and one peripheral blood sample were analyzed from one patient. The WGS samples were sequenced 2x150 bp paired-end on an Illumina HiSeqX v2.5 instrument, and the WES samples were sequenced 2x100 bp paired-end on an Illumina HiSeq 2500 instrument. The FASTQ files generated were aligned to the human reference genome sequence GRCh38/hg38 using bwa-mem, with the ALT-aware option turned on. Sorting of reads and marking of PCR duplicates was performed with GATK. Base quality score recalibration and joint realignment of reads around insertions and deletions (indels) were conducted using GATK tools. The dataset consists of 85 files in the CRAM format (lossless compression) with a total file size of ~13,3 TB. Additional genomic and molecular data (FASTQ, BAM, IDAT, and VCF files) and limited clinical data can be requested by ethically approved projects conducting research in the field of pediatric cancer.

  Dataset EGAD50000000300

• Single-cell transcriptome of T-ALL P1

  In this study, we profiled single-cell transcriptome (10X genomics) of Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) T-ALL replase samples from P1 patient. Primary human T-ALL cells were recovered from cryopreserved bone marrow aspirates of patients enrolled in the ALL-BFM 2009 study. Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) were generated as previously described by intrafemoral injection of 1 Million viable primary ALL cells in NSG mice110 PDX-derived (P1)28 cells were frozen until processing. For scRNA-seq library preparation, cryopreserved cells were thawed rapidly at 37 ℃ and resuspended in 10 ml warm Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium with 100 μg/ml Dnase I. Cells were centrifuged for 5 mins at 300 g, and resuspended in ice-cold phosphate buffered saline (PBS) with 2% foetal bovine serum (FBS) and 5mM EDTA. Cells were stained on ice with anti-murine-CD45-PE (mCD45)(clone 30-F11; BioLegend; 1:20) in the dark for 30 mins. 1:100 DAPI was added and incubated in the dark for 5 mins before sorting. Triple negative cells (DAPI-mCD45-GFP-) were sorted (Fig. S27) using a BD FACSAria™ Fusion Cell Sorter into ice cold 0.03% bovine serum albumin (BSA) in PBS. All isolated cells were immediately used for scRNA-seq libraries, which were generated as per the standard 10x Genomics Chromium 3′ (v.3.1 Chemistry) protocol. Completed libraries were sequenced on a NextSeq5000 sequencer (HIGH-mode, 75 bp paired-end).

  Dataset EGAD00001008325

• CRUK-ICGC Prostate DNA Methylation Sequencing Dataset (Prostatectomy Batches 1-6)

  This dataset includes Illumina EPIC Capture Sequencing Data of 376 samples from 188 men with prostate cancer. Samples were taken from primary tissue obtained at prostatectomy, with matched pathologically assessed non-cancer control material. This DNA methylation data includes donors and samples included in previously published WGS datasets (from CRUK-ICGC batches 1 to 3 [EGAD00001001116] and batches 4 to 6 [EGAD00001003225]; including the majority of donors used in Wedge et al, Nature Genetics 2018 [PMID: 29662167]). The targeted DNA methylation sequencing data in this EGA dataset were generated using the Illumina TruSeq methyl capture method (EPICseq), covering over 3.3 million CpGs in the human genome, representing a total targeted hybridisation capture panel of 107Mbp. According to the EPICseq protocol, DNA samples extracted from prostatectomy tissue samples were enriched for target regions using hybridisation capture, prior to bisulfite conversion, amplification and sequencing in pools of 12 samples (150 single end reads over two Illumina HiSeq4000 lanes). This approach generated DNA methylation profiles from prostate cancer and control samples at base-pair resolution across millions of CpGs in the human genome.

  Dataset EGAD00001010184

• Solve RD data - Short-Read Whole-Genome Sequencing, raw data, tuh-kounap_group samples

  Solve-RD SR-WGS data generated for 3 samples provided by the group tuh-kounap

  Dataset EGAD00001015514

• Exome trios in patients with gastroschisis (2019-04-08)

  Gastroschisis (MIM 230750) is a herniation of the intestines through a defect of the abdominal wall lateral to the umbilicus (usually on the right side), and it is not covered by a membrane [Ledbetter, 2012]. Gastroschisis is a congenital anomaly with increasing incidence, easy prenatal diagnosis and extremely variable postnatal outcomes. On the basis of clinical manifestations, epidemiologic charateristics, and the presence and type of additional malformations, gastroschisis could be considered a heterogeneous condition with no gene/s discovered yet. This congenital anomaly affects approximately 1-3 infancts per 10,000 live births [Calzolari et al.1995;Parker et al.,2010] Current knowledge about causative mutations/variants. To date, no single gene has been linked to gastroschisis. Some publications have tried to link this malformation to variants in genes (such as AEBP1 (adipocyte enhancer binding protein) gene [Feldkamp et al,. 2012] or the VEGF-NOS3 pathway [Lammer et al., 2008]. Previously, a Scribble mutant mouse model (circletail) was reported to exhibit gastroschisis, however recent studies demonstrated that the Scribble knockout fetus exhibits exomphalos phenotype of gastroschisis [Carnagham et al., 2013]. 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/ . This dataset contains all the data available for this study on 2019-04-08.

  Dataset EGAD00001004942

• Neural Systems, Inhibitory Control, and Methamphetamine Dependence

  The Neural Systems, Inhibitory Control, and Methamphetamine Dependence study started in 2011 and is currently finishing data collection for its last participants. The study included methamphetamine abusing individuals and healthy control participants aged 18-55 years. Participants who qualified over the telephone were scheduled to visit the London Laboratory at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior for the In-Person Screening Phase. The screening procedures, usually scheduled over two visits, determined if participants were eligible to complete the subsequent study visits. Both groups completed identical screening procedures, with the exception of more in-depth drug use questions for the methamphetamine users. After providing written consent, participants completed questionnaires about their mood, medical, psychiatric and drug use history, personality and life experiences. They also provided a urine sample to determine what drugs they recently used and a breath sample to determine the carbon monoxide levels in their system. The drug screen tested for recent methamphetamine, cocaine, opiates/opioids, benzodiazepines, THC and other amphetamines. Methamphetamine participants needed to test positive for methamphetamine at admission. If methamphetamine participants tested positive for any drugs other than methamphetamine or marijuana, and if healthy control participants tested positive for any drugs other than marijuana, they were excluded from the study. Additionally, the urine samples of female participants were tested for pregnancy; pregnant females were also excluded. If no exclusionary criteria were met during the first screening visit, participants completed a second screening visit to ensure they were mentally and physically healthy enough to participate. The second screening visit included a psychiatric diagnostic interview (DSM-IV (SCID-I) for first 500 participants and the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview M.I.N.I for the last 50 participants). Additionally, laboratory tests and procedures were completed by the UCLA General Clinical Research Center and interpreted by a study physician. Laboratory tests included vital signs (heart rate--BPM, blood pressure, and respirations), an electrocardiogram (ECG) to record the electrical activity of the heart, and an 18-cc blood sample to perform laboratory tests which included a complete chemistry and metabolic panel, hepatic panel, Hepatitis-C tests, and HIV test. The laboratory tests from this blood sample ensured that participants' liver and kidneys were functioning normally, and that their standard blood counts (red cell, white cell, and salts) were also normal. If a Hepatitis-C (HCV) or HIV test was positive, participants were not allowed to continue in the study and their results were reported to the California State Health Department. Participants deemed eligible to continue in the methamphetamine group participated on an outpatient basis or were admitted to the UCLA Medical Center to participate on an inpatient basis for up to 10 days. Typically, detectable levels of methamphetamine in urinalysis remain for 2-3 days, therefore inpatient days 0-3 served as a "washout period" and the methamphetamine abusing inpatient participants provided daily urine samples to test for recent drug use and pregnancy (female participants only). Outpatient participants were also required to remain abstinent from all drugs except nicotine and marijuana for at least 4 days prior to study sessions. Self-reported abstinence for outpatients was verified by urine toxicology and saliva screening at every visit to UCLA before completion of study procedures. Neurocognitive assessments, about three hours each, typically took place on two separate days. The purpose of the neurocognitive sessions were to assess participants' intellectual and neurocognitive functioning. On either the same day as the neurocognitive testing or on separate days, both methamphetamine abusers and healthy controls were administered a structural MRI to collect information on brain structure.

  Study phs001197

• DMET Genes, Nicotine Metabolism and Prospective Abstinence

  This study (DA033813; PI: Andrew W Bergen; PMID:26132489) includes samples from two laboratory studies of nicotine metabolism. The Pharmacokinetics of Nicotine Metabolism in Twins study (PKTWIN; PI: Gary E Swan; PMID: 15527659) was based on recruitment from a twin registry (PMID: 23084148). The Integrated Research Project on Tobacco Use and Dependence (IRP; PI: Gary E Swan; PMID: 14578134) was based on recruitment from a pedigree-based longitudinal study of risk factors for substance use, the Smoking in Families study (SMOFAM; DA03706; PI: Hy Hops). These two laboratory studies (PKTWIN and IRP/SMOFAM) served as the Stage I dataset to interrogate Drug Metabolizing Enzyme and Transporter genes with a targeted SNP array for association with the Nicotine Metabolite Ratio (NMR, ratio of trans-3'-hydroxycotinine and cotinine), an established biomarker of nicotine metabolism. In addition to the laboratory studies, samples from eight RCTs (PMID: 23249876) with the NMR and smoking-related measures used to test SNPs identified in Stage I (PMID: 26132489). In a third stage, a lung cancer meta-analysis database (PMID: 24880342) was used to assess association of SNPs identified in Stage II with lung cancer. The objectives of the study were to identify novel genes and SNPs contributing to nicotine metabolism (Stage I), and to validate PK SNPs associated with the NMR from individuals participating in a clinical laboratory protocol with the NMR obtained from treatment-seeking smokers, and then to investigate association with prospective smoking cessation (Stage II). This study built upon existing studies of nicotine metabolism and randomized trials of smoking cessation therapies. Enhanced knowledge of the genes influencing nicotine metabolism and prospective abstinence may help personalize smoking cessation treatment and risk assessment for smoking-related diseases. For Stage I, both subject [fixed-dose NMR, covariates (age, BMI, ethnicity, sex, smoking status, and hormone use), and pedigree relationships] and sample (common DMET SNP genotype, genotyping quality control) data are available in this accession. The analysis protocol, quality control summaries, summary genotype, summary phenotype, and analysis results are available for Stage I, II and III samples (PMID: 26132489). Extensive discussion of the prior CYP2A6 association literature with the NMR, abstinence, smoking heaviness and lung cancer risk is available (PMID: 26132489). The NMR has previously been associated with CYP2A6 activity, response to smoking cessation treatments, and cigarette consumption. We searched for drug metabolizing enzyme and transporter (DMET) gene variation associated with the NMR and prospective abstinence in 2,946 participants of laboratory studies of nicotine metabolism and of clinical trials of smoking cessation therapies. Stage I was a meta-analysis of the association of 507 common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 173 DMET genes with the NMR in 449 participants of two laboratory studies. Nominally significant associations were identified in ten genes after adjustment for intragenic SNPs; CYP2A6 and two CYP2A6 SNPs attained experiment-wide significance adjusted for correlated SNPs (CYP2A6 PACT=4.1E-7, rs4803381 PACT=4.5E-5, rs1137115, PACT=1.2E-3). Stage II was mega-regression analyses of 10 DMET SNPs with pretreatment NMR and prospective abstinence in up to 2,497 participants from eight trials. rs4803381 and rs1137115 SNPs were associated with pretreatment NMR at genome-wide significance. In post-hoc analyses of CYP2A6 SNPs, we observed nominally significant association with: abstinence in one pharmacotherapy arm; cigarette consumption among all trial participants; and lung cancer in four case:control studies. CYP2A6 minor alleles were associated with reduced NMR, CPD, and lung cancer risk. We confirmed the major role that CYP2A6 plays in nicotine metabolism, and made novel findings with respect to genome-wide significance and associations with CPD, abstinence and lung cancer risk. Additional multivariate analyses with patient variables and genetic modeling will improve prediction of nicotine metabolism, disease risk and smoking cessation treatment prognosis.

  Study phs000931

• Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) Amiodarone, Lidocaine or Neither for Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Due to Ventricular Fibrillation or Ventricular Tachycardia (ALPS)(ROC-ALPS-BioLINCC)

  Accessing Data Please refer to “Authorized Access” below regarding accessing data through the BioData Catalyst ecosystem. The data from this accession is not available for download through dbGaP. Objective To compare the effects of amiodarone, lidocaine, and placebo on survival to hospital discharge after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Background Ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) are common causes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but are considered the most responsive to shock and therefore the most treatable. Nonetheless, most defibrillation attempts do not result in sustained return of spontaneous circulation, and VF or VT may persist or recur after shock. There is also evidence that longer durations of VF or VT are associated with decreases in the likelihood of resuscitation. Amiodarone and lidocaine are commonly used to promote successful defibrillation of shock-refractory VF or VT and prevent recurrences. Previous trials have shown amiodarone to be more effective than placebo or lidocaine for return of spontaneous circulation and survival at hospital admittance. This study sought to further extend the research and examine whether amiodarone would improve survival to hospital discharge and neurologic outcomes, as compared to placebo or lidocaine. Participants 3,026 eligible participants were enrolled, with 974 assigned to amiodarone, 993 assigned to lidocaine, and 1,059 assigned to placebo. An additional 1,627 participants that received a study intervention, but did not meet eligibility criteria, were included in analysis of the intention-to-treat population. Design The study interventions (amiodarone, lidocaine, and saline) were packaged in indistinguishable sealed kits and randomly distributed in to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers in a 1:1:1 ratio, stratified by participating site and agency. Each kit contained three syringes, and each syringe held 3 ml of colorless fluid containing 150 mg of amiodarone, 60 mg of lidocaine, or normal saline. Participants with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were treated in accordance with local EMS protocols, in compliance with American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. If VF or VT persisted or recurred after one or more shocks, eligible participants received a vasopressor and the masked kit containing amiodarone, lidocaine, or placebo. Approximating current clinical practice, the initial dose consisted of two syringes administered by rapid bolus. If the estimated body weight of the patient was less than 100 lbs., then one syringe was used. If VF or VT persisted, standard resuscitation measures, additional shocks, and an additional syringe of the study drug were administered. At that point the trial interventions were completed and standard interventions for advanced life support were employed. Upon arrival at the hospital, providers were notified of the patient's enrollment in the trial and encouraged to provide usual care in accordance with AHA guidelines, including open-label amiodarone or lidocaine if necessary. Components of hospital care were monitored but not standardized by the trial protocol. Participants, providers, and trial personnel were blinded to the trial drug assignments, with the exception of treating physicians if emergency un-blinding was required for care. Data from pre-hospital patient care records, CPR process measures, and hospital medical records were collected. The primary outcome of the trial was survival to hospital discharge, and the secondary outcome was survival with favorable neurologic status at discharge, defined as a score on the modified Rankin scale of 3 or less. Conclusions Neither amiodarone nor lidocaine resulted in a significantly higher rate of survival to hospital discharge or favorable neurologic outcome, as compared to placebo, among participants with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to initial shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

  Study phs003784

• Pomalidomide for the Treatment of Bleeding in HHT (PATH-HHT)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the "Authorized Access" section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions.Objectives: To determine efficacy (reduction in severity of epistaxis), tolerability, and improvement in quality of life of pomalidomide compared to placebo after 24 weeks of treatment.Background: This study addresses the efficacy of pomalidomide in the treatment of epistaxis in patients with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) who have anemia and/or require blood transfusion or iron infusion for treatment of bleeding-induced anemia and iron deficiency. HHT (also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu disease) is an inherited bleeding disorder. Over 95% of patients develop recurrent epistaxis, which may be severe and result in chronic anemia, need for iron infusions and blood transfusions, substantial psychiatric comorbidity (including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder) and reduction in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HHT is clinically diagnosed using the Curacao criteria, which consists of 1) spontaneous and recurrent epistaxis, 2) telangiectasias at characteristic sites, 3) visceral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) or telangiectasias, and 4) a first degree relative with HHT (inheritance is usually autosomal dominant). Patients with three criteria are considered to have definite HHT, and those with 2 criteria probable HHT. HHT affects approximately 1 in 3,800 individuals. Significant manifestations of HHT often do not appear until the third or fourth decades, sometimes later.Participants: 144 patients from 11 clinical centers were enrolled.Design: This is a multi-center, double blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial that investigated the efficacy and safety of pomalidomide in patients with HHT and chronic epistaxis leading to iron-deficiency anemia or requiring intravenous iron infusions or blood transfusion.Screening evaluation included the Epistaxis Severity Score (ESS) with three-month recall, which reflected the patient's history of epistaxis and bleeding over the prior three months, as well as detailed review of iron infusion and red cell transfusion over the preceding six months. Eligible patients were provided a diary to record the duration of each epistaxis event that occurred during the 4 weeks prior to the baseline visit, and then returned for the baseline randomization visit, at which time patients underwent genetic testing, if this had not been previously performed, and completed an ESS with 4-week recall and quality of life assessments. Patients were randomized 2:1, stratified by study site, to either pomalidomide 4 mg/day or matching placebo during each of six 28 day cycles (24 weeks). Patients were seen every four weeks during treatment, and at a 4-week post-treatment follow-up visit to measure the ESS (with 4-week recall), laboratory assessments including iron stores and need for iron infusion, CBC, and metabolic profile. Patients were assessed for adverse events (AE) throughout the study. Treatment dosage could be reduced, or temporarily or permanently discontinued following AE-specific guidelines related to fatigue, cytopenias or other toxicities.Quality of life assessments were completed at baseline, and the 12- and 24-week visits, and the 4-week post-treatment follow-up visit using validated NIH instruments of 1) Neuro-QOL satisfaction with social roles and activities, 2) PROMIS emotional distress – depression, and 3) PROMIS fatigue, and the HHT-specific quality of life instrument developed specifically for this study. The effect of pomalidomide on duration of epistaxis was assessed via diary between weeks 8-12, 20-24 and the 4-week post-treatment period.Conclusions: Among patients with HHT, pomalidomide treatment resulted in a significant, clinically relevant reduction in epistaxis severity. No unexpected safety signals were identified (Al-Samkari et al., 2024; PMID: 39292928)

  Study phs003948

• Acute Respiratory Distress Network Early Versus Delayed Enteral Feeding to Treat People with Acute Lung Injury or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDSNet EDEN-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the “Authorized Access” section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Biospecimens: Access to Biospecimens is through the NHLBI Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center (BioLINCC). Biospecimens from ARDSNet-EDEN include bronchial lavage, plasma, DNA, and urine. Please note that use of biospecimens in genetic and non-genetic research is subject to a tiered consent. Objectives: To determine if initial lower-volume trophic enteral feeding would increase ventilator-free days (VFDs) and decrease gastrointestinal intolerances compared with initial full enteral feeding. Background: Mechanically ventilated patients cannot eat normally and if not fed for long periods become malnourished. Because malnutrition is associated with poor outcomes in critically ill patients, artificial nutrition is often provided, especially in those with acute lung injury (ALI) and with expected longer duration of mechanical ventilation. When feasible, enteral nutrition targeting full caloric needs has been advocated over parenteral nutrition. However, feeding intolerance and common care practices often serve as practical barriers to reaching recommended goals. Although confounded by indication and severity of illness, several observational studies have shown improved clinical outcomes, including fewer infections, shorter duration of mechanical ventilation, and lower mortality for patients receiving a higher percentage of calculated caloric needs. Nonetheless, the best timing, formulation, and amount of enteral nutrition remain unknown. Participants: A total of 1,000 participants were enrolled. Design: Participants were randomized, stratified by site and presence of shock at enrollment, to receive either trophic or full enteral feeding for the first 6 days of mechanical ventilation. The initial 272 patients were also simultaneously randomized to a separate trial (the OMEGA study) comparing a nutritional supplement containing omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants with an isocaloric, isovolemic control in a 2 × 2 factorial design.The designated feeding strategy was initiated within 6 hours of randomization and continued until death, extubation, or day 6. The care of mechanically ventilated patients still receiving enteral feedings after day 6 was managed according to the full feeding strategy in both groups. In extubated patients who then required reintubation, enteral nutrition was restarted and managed according to the study protocol.In the full-feeding group, enteral nutrition was initiated at 25 mL/h and advanced to goal rates as quickly as possible. Gastric residual volumes were checked every 6 hours while enteral feeding was increased. Patients randomized to the initial trophic-feeding group had enteral nutrition initiated at 10 mL/h (10-20 kcal/h) for the first 272 patients who also received the omega-3 or control supplement (240 mL volume per day). After the data and safety monitoring board stopped the OMEGA portion of the factorial design, the initial trophic feeding rate was changed to 20 kcal/h to approximate the calories that had been delivered in the OMEGA study. Gastric Residual Volumes (GRVs) were checked every 12 hours during trophic feeding. In patients randomized to trophic feeding, enteral nutrition was advanced to full-energy feeding rates following the same protocol used for the full-feeding group if they were still receiving mechanical ventilation at 144 hours. Conclusions: There was no difference between groups with regard to the primary end point, VFDs to day 28. There also were no differences in 60-day mortality, organ failure−free days, ICU-free days, or the incidence of infection between groups. Similarly, there were no differences between groups in VFDs or survival when analyzed by body mass index category or when subsets of patients with shock or more severe lung injury (acute respiratory distress syndrome) were examined.JAMA. 2012 Feb 22;307(8):795-803

  Study phs004168

• Framingham Heart Study-Cohort (FHS-Cohort) - BioLINCC

  Data Access NOTE Please refer to the "Authorized Access" section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Related Studies Other Framingham data available include: Imaging studies (Framingham Heart Study-Cohort (FHS-Cohort)-Imaging, phs003593), Genetics and genomics (Framingham Cohort, phs000007), Collaborative Cohort of Cohorts for COVID-19 Research (C4R): (Framingham Heart Study, phs002911), and as a component of the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS-BioLINCC, phs003637). Available Data Original cohort: data now include examination data from the first 32 clinical exams, selected ancillary data, and event follow-up through 2018. Offspring/Omni1 cohort: Data available include Framingham Offspring examination data from the first 9 clinical exams and selected ancillary data and event follow-up through 2019. Also included are the first 4 exams from the OMNI 1 cohort. Third Generation/Omni2/New Offspring Cohort: Data available include Framingham Generation 3 examination data from the first 3 clinical exams, selected ancillary data and event follow-up through 2019. Also included are the OMNI 2 and New Offspring (NOS) cohorts. A genetic pedigree is not provided for the Framingham phenotype only data. Objectives The objectives of the Framingham Study are to study the incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors, trends in CVD incidence and its risk factors over time, and familial patterns of CVD and risk factors. Other important objectives include the estimation of incidence rates of disease and description of the natural history of cardiovascular disease, including the sequence of clinical signs and systems that precede the clinically recognizable syndrome and the consequences and course of clinically manifest disease. Background Original cohort: The original cohort of the Framingham Study began in 1948 under the U.S. Public Health Service and was transferred under the direct operations of the new National Heart Institute, NIH, in 1949. Participants were sampled from Framingham, Massachusetts, including both men and women. This was the first prospective study of cardiovascular disease and identified the concept of risk factors and their joint effects. Offspring/Omni1 cohort: With the aging of the Framingham cohort and with interest in familiar aggregation and heritability, a new cohort consisting of the offspring of the original cohort was sampled. Spouses of offspring were also included. This new sample, began enrollment in 1971 and constituted a second generation of participants, permitting new assessment of risk factors and outcomes, and provided a resource for the genetic analyses which were yet to come. The Offspring participants have had repeated examinations, though at typically longer intervals than the original cohort. Third Generation/Omni2/New Offspring Cohort: Thirty-one years after enrollment began for the second generation of the Framingham Heart Study (Framingham Offspring Study), Framingham investigators began enrolling adults with at least one parent enrolled in the Offspring study into the Framingham Generation 3 cohort. The addition of the third generation was expected to facilitate investigation of secular trends in risk factors and indicators of health and disease within families, to enhance statistical power to detect genetic and environmental determinants of complex diseases, and to clarify how subclinical cardiovascular disease predicts occurrence of overt clinical events. Participants Original cohort: At entry to the study in 1948-1952, the study recruited 5,209 men and women, ages 28-62 years, living in Framingham, MA. Offspring/Omni1 cohort: 5,124 men and women, ages 5-70 years at entry consisting of offspring of the original Framingham cohort (and spouses of the offspring). In 1994, the Omni Cohort 1 enrolled 507 men and women of African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Indian, Pacific Islander and Native American origins, who at the time of enrollment were residents of Framingham and the surrounding towns. Third Generation/Omni2/New Offspring Cohort: 4095 men and women, almost all who self reported their ethnicity as white, ages 19+ years at entry, with at least one parent in the Framingham Offspring study, participated in the Gen III cohort. The New Offspring Cohort enrolled spouses of Offspring participants that were not otherwise enrolled and had at least two biological children participating in Gen III. 103 New Offspring Spouses (47 men and 56 women) participated. The OMNI 2 cohort enrolled additional ethnically diverse participants, including many individuals related to the participants of Omni Cohort 1 and also individuals unrelated to Omni Cohort 1 members for a total of 410 new participants. Design The cardiovascular disease conditions under investigation include coronary heart disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, coronary insufficiency and sudden and non-sudden death), stroke, hypertension, peripheral arterial disease and congestive heart failure. Original cohort: The Framingham Study is a longitudinal investigation of constitutional and environmental factors influencing the development of CVD in men and women. Examination of participants has taken place every two years and the cohort has been followed for morbidity and mortality over that time period. Offspring/Omni1 cohort: By 1975, a sample of 5,124 men and women, consisting of offspring of the original Framingham cohort (and spouses of the offspring) had participated in the study. Additional studies of these subjects have continued under research contracts. Third Generation/Omni2/New Offspring Cohort: The children of Offspring Cohort participants were initially identified who would be 20 years of age or older by the end of the enrollment period. A higher priority for recruitment was assigned to individuals who belonged to large extended families, in order to complement phenotypic and genotypic information already obtained from prior generations. The baseline examination was begun in 2002 and completed in 2005.

  Study phs003594

• 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

• Influence of the Microbiome on Epigenetic Mechanisms in IBD

  Live CD4 T cells were sorted from inflamed and non-inflamed tissue samples of IBD patients or from healthy and IBD blood samples. ATAC-Seq libraries were generated from live CD4 T cells sorted from i) inflamed and non-inflamed tissue samples, ii) healthy and IBD blood samples, or from iii) CD4 T cell subsets polarised from healthy blood samples. After isolating crude nuclei, live CD4+ T cells were treated with Tagment DNA buffer and Tagment DNA Enzyme (Nextera DNA Library Prep Kit, Illumina), and then the DNA was purified by MinElute PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen). Transposed DNA fragments were amplified using specific adapters followed by purification with MinElute PCR Purification Kit (Qiagen). Fragments from 240-360pb were selected in the PippinHT system (Sage Science). The quality of the library and its DNA concentration were assessed by Bioanalyzer instruments (Agilent Technologies) and ultimately submitted for sequencing using Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencer, V4 chemistry. On the other hand, single cell RNA-Seq libraries were generated exclusively from inflamed and non-inflamed tissue samples of Crohn’s disease patients. Briefly, live CD4 T cells were captured and encapsulated before cDNA amplification using the 10X Genomics Chromium Platform. Samples were prepared as outlined by 10x genomics Single Cell 3’ Reagent Kits v2 user guide. Samples were sequenced on a HiSeq 2500 with the following run parameters: Read 1 – 26 cycles, read 2 – 98 cycles, index 1 – 8 cycles.

  Dataset EGAD00001011066

• Transcriptional and DNA binding profiling of CEBPE in REH acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells using shRNA RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq

  ChIP-Seq - CEBPE - REH. The ETV6/RUNX1 translocated acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cell line. REH was used to perform ChIP-Seq using a CEBPE antibody. Cells were fixed in 1% formaldehyde for 10mins, prior to preparation of chromatin using Active Motif Express ChIP-IT. 2ug of antibody (anti CEBPE Atlas Antibodies HPA002928)was added to 25ug of chromatin O/N at 4C with rotation. Duplicate reactions were pooled and purified. 10ng of ChIP’d and input DNA used for Illumina NGS preparation (NEBNext ChIP-Seq Library kit; New England Biolabs), CEBPE and Input DNA ChIP samples were sequenced on a MiSeq using 150bp Kit v3 paired end and a HiSeq 2500 using 2x101 version 4 paired end (Illumina) respectively. Reactions performed in duplicate. shCEBPE RNA-Seq - REH. REH cells were lentivirally transduced with a pTRIPZ shRNA vector for transcriptional profiling of CEBPE. Two controls (empty and non-targeting) and two CEBPE shRNAs (V3THS_150517(A13), V3THS_404312(G3) Dharmacon, GE) were transduced into REH cells. Cells were treated with 1ug/ml doxycyclin for 144hrs and total RNA purified using Qiagen RNeasy. Knock down of CEBPE was validated by qRT. RNA integrity >7.7 for all samples. Libraries were prepared using NEBNext Ultra II Directional RNA Library Prep Kit and sequenced on an Illuimna HiSeq 2500 using 2x101 version 4 paired end chemistry. 3 biological replicates of each samples were prepared.

  Dataset EGAD00001004084

• HTAN MCL Pre-Cancer Atlas Pilot Project - Targeted Sequencing Development Study

  The HTAN-MCL Pre-Cancer Atlas Pilot Project (PCAPP) is the result of a collaboration between the seven members of the MCL consortium. Across four organ types, PCAPP's goal is to collect and profile pre-malignant lesions for gene expression, DNA mutations, single-cell gene expression and immune-environment. Most PML are small in size and only available come from formalin fixed paraffin embedded archived tissue. The primary goal of PCAPP is to 1) understand the logistical challenges of PML specimen collection, 2) document technical limitations of the assays that are specific to the PML and 3) overcome them to support the generation of a more comprehensive Pre-Cancer Atlas in the future. The current upload provides RNA and DNA sequencing from participants with DCIS who were studied at the University of San Diego and the University of Vermont. Description of the overall study: A. Background/Significance One of the critical barriers to developing new approaches for cancer detection and prevention is the lack of understanding of the key molecular and cellular changes that cause cancer initiation and progression. Unlike the extensive work that has been done profiling advanced stage tumors, few studies have comprehensively profiled the molecular alterations found in precancerous tissues. Premalignant lesions are currently characterized by histologic changes that precede the development of invasive carcinoma1,2.These lesions can often be identified in regions surrounding an invasive tumor or in biopsies taken from patients undergoing diagnostic evaluation for suspicion of cancer. Currently, limited metrics exist to identify lesions that will likely progress to carcinoma and require intervention from those that will naturally regress or remain stable3,4. Characterization of the molecular alterations in premalignant lesions and the corresponding changes in the microenvironment would hasten the development of biomarkers for early detection and risk stratification as well as suggest preventive interventions to reverse or delay the development of cancer. Our pilot study will establish the feasibility of transcriptomic, genomic and immune profiling of FFPE premalignant lesions from multiple organ sites, collected and profiled with uniform SOPs across multiple institutions within the MCL consortium. We will characterize the molecular alterations in precancerous lesions and the corresponding microenvironment in four major organ sites, in order to uncover the molecular and cellular determinants of premalignancy, and establish standardized sequencing and immunohistochemistry protocols on FFPE precancerous tissue. We will also evaluate the technical feasibility of single nuclei sequencing of small FFPE pre-cancer lesions. Successful completion of the proposed pilot study will set the stage for expansion and development of a comprehensive Pre-Cancer Atlas (PCA) as part of the NCI's moonshot.B. Specific Aims Aim 1: Collect premalignant lesions (PML) and their associated microenvironment via LCM from FFPE tissue across four organ sites (breast, lung, pancreas & prostate). Aim 2: Perform bulk RNA and DNA seq on premalignant FFPE samples (and flash frozen tissue where available) and compare the genomic/transcriptomic alterations within and across organ sites. C. ApproachAim 1: Collect premalignant lesions (PML) and their associated microenvironment via LCM from FFPE tissue across four organ sites (breast, lung, pancreas & prostate). MethodsI. Patient Population/Sample Collection: Overview of the sites collecting PML tissue from the respective organs is provided in Table 1 and a full description of the biospecimens to be obtained is described in detail for each organ type below. Table 1. Breakdown of cohort by tissue type and collection site.Organ siteBreastLungPancreasProstateType of PMLDCISAAH, Squamous Dysplasia/CISIPMNsPINCollection of PatientsUCSF/UCSDUVMBU*/UCLAVanderbilt/MoffittMDACC*JHUStanford*# of Patients201920 (10 of each type)20 (10 of each type)242020Total patients per Organ39402440Note: single nuclei/cell RNA-Seq will be performed on 4-5 FFPE samples from each of the organ types 1. DCIS lesions from breast tissue: DCIS lesions will be collected from 39 patients (20 from UCSF/UCSD & 19 from UVM) with primary low or high-grade DCIS diagnosed from a breast core biopsy. Subsequent resected lumpectomy or mastectomy tissues will be prospectively sampled in the vicinity of the prior biopsy site using multiple approaches: 1) Live cells (heterogeneous mix) will be obtained as a cell scrape slurry from the lesion surface or by fine needle aspirate (FNA); 2) For a subset of specimens where size is sufficient, a block of breast tissue with DCIS will be fresh-frozen; 3) The remainder of the specimen will be taken for routine formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedding (FFPE). The FFPE sample will be annotated to identify the matched FFPE tissue block adjacent to the fresh-frozen sample and will be sectioned for use in bulk and single nuclei sequencing . We will dissect DCIS, adjacent normal and when available, associated carcinoma. In addition, when possible, normal tissue will be collected from a tissue block lacking lesions as well as collection of blood. A subset of patients (n = 5 | FFPE, flash frozen and fresh) will be sent to the Broad Institute for single nuclei/cell sequencing.2. AAH and squamous dysplastic/CIS lesions from airway and lung tissue: For squamous cell lung cancer, we will collect endobronchial biopsies from abnormal airway regions identified on autofluroscence bronchoscopy or identify PMLs in the margins of resected lung tissue. We will study 20 patients (5 each from BU/UCLA/Vanderbilt/Moffitt) with pre-invasive squamous lesions (moderate-severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (CIS)) identified on pathologic examination. LCM of the premalignant region and adjacent normal epithelium will be performed as well as the invasive tumor for those collected from the resection margin (n=5 from UCLA). On a subset of lesions collected at bronchoscopy (n=5), we will collect additional biopsies that will be flash frozen and fresh for single nuclei and cell sequencing, respectively, performed at the Broad Institute. In parallel to the work at the Broad, BU will perform single cell RNA-seq on these freshly cell sorted tissues (n = 5). Blood will be collected on all patients for genomic studies. For lung adenocarcinoma, we will collect resected FFPE lung tissues from 20 patients (10 from UCLA and 10 from Vanderbilt/Moffitt) with early stage lung adenocarcinoma that harbor atypical adenomatous (AAH) premalignant lesions in the resection margin. We will LCM multiple AAH regions (3-5 per patient) as well as adjacent regions of normal epithelium and invasive adenocarcinoma. In addition, blood will be collected on all patients for genomic studies. 3. IPMNs from pancreatic tissue: For pancreatic cancer PML, we will collect low and high grade lesions from 24 patients representing macroscopic Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMN) (n=24) from surgically resected specimens along with blood samples. Archival FFPE specimens of microscopic PanIN lesions, occurring multi-focally adjacent to invasive PDAC, and archival IPMN lesions (with or without associated invasive cancer), along with the adjacent normal tissue, will undergo LCM and utilized for bulk DNA and RNA sequencing. If matched frozen tissues are available for a subset of these FFPE samples, we will bank for comparison of profiles. Because IPMNs are macroscopic lesions, they provide an opportunity for obtaining the samples fresh and therefore can be used for single cell sequencing (in contrast to PanINs). Therefore, 5 freshly obtained IPMNs will be used for the single cell RNA sequencing studies performed at both the Broad Institute and MDACC, and the matched FFPE and/or frozen sections from these lesions (obtained from the adjacent PML) will be sent to Broad Institute as a pilot to assess "single nuclei" RNA sequencing.4. PINs from prostate tissue: For prostate cancer PML, there will be 40 samples of Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PIN) collected between the Stanford and JHU sites (20 cases per site). At the Stanford site, 20 prostate specimens detected by PSA screening who have/will undergo surgery (radical prostatectomy) for clinically localized disease will make up the final cohort. The age range of the participants would be 40-75, and we anticipate that 18 will be Caucasian, 1 Asian and 1 Latino or African American based on the practice demographics practice at Stanford. Clinical and MRI data will also be collected for these samples. We will collect low grade (e.g. Gleason score of 6/Grade group 1; n=10) and high grade (Gleason score 4+3=7 or higher/Grade group 3 or higher; n=10) PINs from FFPE samples that have prostate carcinoma. In addition to obtaining LCM archival samples of low and high grade PIN, we will also obtain normal prostatic epithelial from the peripheral, central and transition zones as well as multiple samples of prostate carcinoma in order to obtain the spectrum of Gleason grades in the carcinoma as needed. LCM samples will be used for bulk DNA and RNA sequencing. In addition, single cells will be dissected from FFPE samples to prepare single cell RNA seq libraries using techniques developed at Stanford, and FFPE tissue will be sent to the Broad for single nuclei sequencing. When available, flash frozen and fresh samples from these prostates will be archived and prepared for single nuclei and cell sequencing, respectively, at the Broad Institute and at Stanford (single cell only). JHU will also capture 10 cases (5 grade group 1 and 5 grade group 2) of high grade PIN, normal and invasive adenocarcinoma using frozen sections from fresh frozen tissues. When possible these will be from the same patients as the FFPE samples. Since frozen sections can be quite challenging to morphologically determine high grade PIN from normal epithelium, for these samples we will perform a number of additional tissue-based characterizations. These will include a multicolor combined basal cells (p63 and CK903) and PIN/carcinoma markers (AMACR) referred to in the cocktail as "PIN4", c-MYC (referred to as MYC) protein5, by IHC and mRNA by in situ hybridization (AM De Marzo, Q Zheng unpublished observations), telomere length by in situ hybridization6 and the 5'ETS/45S rRNA7. For these slides, the whole slides will be scanned with a Hammamatsu Nanozoomer with a 40x objective and regions of interest will be annotated as a guide for LCM.II. Laser-capture microdissection (LCM): FFPE tissue blocks will be sectioned at 7μm thickness and serial sections will be stained with H&E. LCM will be performed utilizing standard LCM systems, such as Leica LMD7000 and ArcturusXT at each site. Regions of premalignancy will be dissected and RNA/DNA will be extracted from microdissected cells using the Qiagen All Prep DNA/RNA FFPE Kit. Aim 2: Perform bulk RNA and DNA seq on premalignant FFPE samples and compare the genomic/transcriptomic alterations within and across organ sites. Rationale: There have been limited studies characterizing the genomic and transcriptomic landscape of premalignant lesions associated with breast, pancreatic, lung or prostate cancers. Characterizing the molecular determinants of premalignant disease that are unique and shared across multiple organs will enable new candidate biomarkers for early detection and novel therapeutic strategies for early intervention. MethodsBulk RNA-seq of LCM FFPE tissue: All participating sites will perform bulk RNA-seq in accordance with SOPs developed at BU. In brief, total RNA will be isolated from LCM'd lesion and associated microenvironment tissue using the Qiagen All Prep DNA/RNA FFPE Kit and quality will be assessed with the Agilent Bioanalyzer. Libraries will be generated with the Illumina TruSeq Access kit (for FFPE samples). They will be sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq2500 with 75base-pair paired-end reads. Quality of FASTQ files will be assessed with FastQC. Reads will be aligned to the human genome with STAR and gene-level and isoform-level expression will be quantified with RSEM. Splice junction saturation, transcript integrity, and biotype distributions will be calculated for each sample with RSeQC. DESeq2 and EdgeR will be used to identify associations between gene expression profiles and clinical variables while controlling for confounding covariates. BU will serve as an RNA-seq Core to assess reproducibility of FFPE RNA-seq methods across sites. We will perform RNA-seq according to the SOP listed above on a subset of samples for each organ type (total n ~ 20). Bulk seq of DNA from FFPE tissue: All participating sites will perform targeted or whole exome-seq (WES) in accordance with SOPs. In brief, DNA from laser captured material will be isolated using the Qiagen All Prep DNA/RNA FFPE Kit and undergo stringent quality control to ensure high quality input material for genomic profiling. Purified DNA (ideally 100-200 ng) will be used for library preparation and amplification, followed by next generation sequencing using standard protocols distributed by CDMG. Exome-seq methods are considered standardized, thus we will not need a DNA-seq Core to assess reproducibility across sites. We anticipate local centers will use Illumina paired end reads, following the following general approach. 1) DNA library preparation: Paired-end libraries will be prepared following the manufacturer's protocols (Illumina and Agilent), fragmented to 150-200 bp 2) Capture of targeted exome: Whole exome capture will be carried out using the protocol for Agilent's SureSelect Human All Exon kit. Purified capture products will be amplified using the SureSelect GA PCR primers (Agilent) for 12 cycles. 3) Sequencing will be carried out for the captured libraries using at least 100 bp paired-end reads. To achieve high level sensitivity and accuracy for detecting all the mutations in the whole exome, each sample will be sequenced at 200X mean depth. 4) Read mapping and alignment and variant analysis: Sequence short reads will be aligned to a reference genome (NCBI human genome assembly build 38) using BWA-MEM. Local realignment of aligned reads will be performed using Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK).Data QC: To ensure scientific rigor and consistency among sites in RNA and DNA processing we will include a preliminary analysis of steps in processing and analysis. Protocols for extraction of high quality RNA and DNA from formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues, which will be used extensively in these studies continue to improve and may have variable implementation among the sites participating in this study. To evaluate consistency of preliminary steps in processing and downstream analyses, we will initially distribute slides from one large FFPE fixed cancer of origin from prostate, breast, lung and pancreatic cancer. Analysis of these samples will allow us to review the DNA and RNA characteristics (yield, purity and strand length) among sites. Downstream analysis of these same samples will also allow us to compare among sites the consistency of variant calls among centers. We will be able to identify if there are some times of calls (such as small insertion deletions) that are more variable among centers versus other types of calls (such as relative gene expression or single base pair substitutions) that we expect to be less variable and to characterize the reliability of findings across sites. We are also including a 5% blind duplicate analysis of RNA sequencing. Samples will be analysed by the participating genomics cores without knowledge of the phenotype. RNA seq and CNA analyses are normalized for batch effects. We will also compare the observed sex to the self-reported sex as based on RNA profiles and exome sequencing of X chromosome genes as another check for processing accuracy and sample management. D. References 1. Wacholder, S. Precursors in Cancer Epidemiology: Aligning Definition and Function. Cancer Epidemiol. Prev. Biomark. 22, 521-527 (2013). PMID: 23549395.2. Berman, J. J. Precancer: The Beginning and the End of Cancer. (Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2011).3. Nasiell, K., Nasiell, M. & Vaćlavinková, V. Behavior of moderate cervical dysplasia during long-term follow-up. Obstet. Gynecol. 61, 609-614 (1983). PMID: 6835614.4. Merrick, D. T. et al. Persistence of Bronchial Dysplasia Is Associated with Development of Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Prev. Res. (Phila. Pa.) 9, 96-104 (2016). PMID: 26542061.5. Gurel, B. et al. Nuclear MYC protein overexpression is an early alteration in human prostate carcinogenesis. Mod. Pathol. Off. J. U. S. Can. Acad. Pathol. Inc 21, 1156-1167 (2008). PMID: 18567993.6. Meeker, A. K. et al. Telomere shortening is an early somatic DNA alteration in human prostate tumorigenesis. Cancer Res. 62, 6405-6409 (2002). PMID: 12438224.7. Guner, G. et al. Novel Assay to Detect RNA Polymerase I Activity In Vivo. Mol. Cancer Res. MCR 15, 577-584 (2017). PMID: 28119429.

  Study phs002225

• A Genome-Wide Association Comparative Analysis of Response of AF Patients to Rate Control Therapy; A Collaboration between the NIH Pharmacogenomics Research Network and the RIKEN Yokohama Institute Center for Genomic Medicine

  The goal of this study was to identify genetic predictors of response to rate control therapy in patients with AF. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) focusing on subjects with a history of atrial fibrillation. Rate control therapy for AF uses a range of drugs (beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digitalis) to depress conduction through the AV node, thereby preventing rapid rates and minimizing symptoms. In large groups of patients, such as the Vanderbilt AF Registry (a clinical and genetic repository with over 1200 patients with ECG-confirmed AF) from which these study subjects were drawn, approximately 5% display failure of aggressive AV nodal-blocking therapy to control ventricular rate. In these patients, interruption of the AV node by ablation and pacemaker implantation are necessary for adequate rate control. Study cases were individuals who underwent AV node ablation and pacemaker implantation after combined therapy with 3 AV nodal-blocking agents was ineffective in rate control. Controls for this study were individuals who met standardized rate-control efficacy criteria (as described in AFFIRM study, Wyse et al, NEJM 2002; PMID: 12466506) for optimal rate control with 2 or fewer AV nodal-blocking agents. Two additional groups were genotyped by RIKEN: An additional group of patients with AF as well as subjects undergoing cardiac surgery in whom AF did not occur post-operatively. All study participants were recruited and treated/evaluated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This study was conducted by the Pharmacogenomics of Arrhythmia Therapy subgroup of the Pharmacogenetics Research Network, a nationwide collaboration of scientists studying the genetic contributions to drug response variability. Genotyping was performed by the RIKEN research institute in Japan using the Illumina 610 Quad Beadchip platform.

  Study phs000439

• Effect of the Placental Transcriptome on Stunting in a Longitudinal African Cohort

  Mammals with placentas and flowering plants evolved genomic imprinting in nutritive tissues, the placenta and endosperm, respectively. In these tissues, the genomes inherited from the mother and father are in conflict over resource allocation to offspring. In imprinted genes, transcription is repressed on the paternal or the maternal allele, resulting in allele specific expression (ASE). We investigated the variation in ASE of imprinted genes in term human placentas in order to detect loss of imprinting (LOI), which leads to partial expression of the repressed allele. We collected the placental tissue from birth to women in our multigenerational, prospective cohort study in Mali, West Africa. We followed the women from their own infancies, early childhood to adulthood (age 18+ years). Contingent on prior informed consent, we collected placental tissue and umbilical cord tissue. We conducted RNA-Seq of the fetal compartment of the placentas and targeted DNA-Seq of the umbilical cord tissue, which is fetal, and of saliva samples from parents. Our sequencing effort produced two datasets. The first dataset is the whole transcriptome RNA-Seq dataset of 111 biopsies (59 placentas) and genotyping of 96 genes. Birth length, weight, and placental weight for the children associated with this dataset are listed in the phenotype file (DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msz226). The second dataset includes targeted RNA-Seq of 262 samples (251 placentas) and targeted DNA-Seq for 766 genes. The genes were selected because they met any one of the following criteria: (1) imprinted and reported in some studies, (2) highly expressed in placenta, or (3) relevant to diseases of interest in this cohort (https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkab176). This study provides the first systematic analysis of variation in LOI across genes and individuals in a human population, and should shed light on the hypothesis that the modulation of imprinting is an epigenetic mechanism and plays a role in the regulation of offspring growth.

  Study phs001782

• Global Microbiome Conservancy Sequence Data

  The human body is a complex ecosystem, hosting tens of billions of bacteria, primarily in the gut. This community, known as the 'gut microbiome', is vital to human health, affecting functions ranging from metabolism, immunity, and development, to behavior. Conversely, reduced microbiome diversity and other imbalances of the gut community (dysbiosis) are associated with many diseases of the industrialized world, such as metabolic syndrome, asthma, and inflammatory bowel diseases among others. Microbiome-based interventions thus hold the potential to revolutionize our understanding of, and therapeutic approaches to, many aspects of human health and disease. Despite many advances, current understanding of the human microbiome is largely limited to majority ethnic groups in industrialized nations, and does not reflect the full diversity of human commensal microbiota. In addition to the scientific ramifications of minority underrepresentation, there are significant translational and ethical implications as well: first, failing to capture the full diversity of healthy human microbiota may limit our ability to understand and generate effective therapeutics for many microbiome-associated diseases. Second, underrepresented groups are less likely to benefit from microbiome-based medical advances tailored to well-studied populations, propagating healthcare inequities.  Human gut microbial diversity is diminishing around the globe, due to the spread of industrialized diets and lifestyles, which are associated with reduced microbiome biodiversity. The Global Microbiome Conservancy (GMbC) is a non-profit collaboration between scientists and communities around the world that aims to 1) preserve the full biodiversity of the human gut microbiome, 2) characterize its evolution across populations and host lifestyles and 3) investigate its interactions with the human host. We are collecting gut microbiome and human DNA samples from diverse populations around the world, from isolated groups to urbanized populations, to culture and study this essential biodiversity and to preserve it in a living "seed bank" of bacterial isolates as a long-term safeguard against future extinctions. Human genetic data for the samples sequenced in this study can be found in phs002205.

  Study phs002235

• National Eye Institute (NEI) Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2)

  The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) was a multi-center, randomized Phase III clinical trial designed to assess the effects of oral supplementation of high doses of lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] and eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]) in reducing the risk of progression to late age-related macular degeneration (AMD), progression to cataract surgery, and/or progression to moderate vision loss in high-risk participants. The effect of the study supplements on cardiovascular outcomes and cognitive function were also examined. Other study goals included evaluation of eliminating beta-carotene and/or reducing zinc in the original AREDS formulation on the progression and development of late AMD. AREDS2 sought to validate the AREDS AMD scale developed from the photographic data obtained from AREDS, (Study Accession: phs000001).Eighty-two clinical sites across the United States enrolled 4,203 participants aged 50 to 85 (mean age 74 years) between October 2006 and September 2008. Enrollment was restricted to people at high risk of progression to late AMD with either bilateral large drusen or large drusen in 1 eye and late AMD in the fellow eye. Follow-up assessments in the clinic occurred on an annual basis for an average of 5 years, with telephone calls every six months during each year. Blood or saliva samples were also collected from 2,000+ AREDS2 participants for genetic research. Of these, samples from 1,800+ AREDS2 participants were included in the International Age-Related Macular Degeneration Genomics Consortium - Exome Chip Experiment, and have exome chip data available in the dbGaP (Study Accession: phs001039). In addition, samples from 1300+ AREDS2 participants were included in the International Age-Related Macular Degeneration Genomics Consortium - Whole Genome Sequencing Study in the dbGaP (Study Accession: TBD). Of 1363 AREDS2 participants with whole genome sequencing, 488 previously participated in AREDS.Please see "The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group" document for a full list of AREDS2 study contributors.

  Study phs002015

• A Genome-Wide Association Study of Sporadic ALS in an Irish Population (SIALS) and Sequencing and Analysis of an Irish Human Genome

  Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of motor neurons. Epidemiological studies indicate that 2-5% of cases are familial, usually with an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. For a portion of these, causative genes have been identified. The remaining 95% of ALS cases are described as sporadic, and believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. This study utilized samples from Irish patients with sporadic ALS and Irish control individuals. The aim of the study was to identify susceptibility alleles for ALS in the Irish population. Genome-wide, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was undertaken using Illumina 550K version 3 chips. Genotyping data are available on 221 SALS patients and 211 controls. Future work will aim to examine ALS genetic risk at individual sequence level. As an initial step, as of September 2010 we have made available the human genome sequence from a single anonymous male control individual from the SIALS collection. Recent studies generating complete human sequences from Asian, African and European subgroupings have revealed population specific variation and illuminated disease susceptibility loci. The Irish population is of interest because of its location at the periphery of Europe and also the impact its emigrants have had on the genetics of populations in a number of other countries. We have identified sequence variants that may be specific to this population and have identified potentially novel disease associated variants. We describe a novel method for improving SNP calling accuracy at low genome coverage using haplotype information. Overall we demonstrate utility in generating whole genome sequences to test general principles and reveal specific instances of human biology. With increasing access to low cost sequencing we would predict that similar studies will emerge.

  Study phs000127

• Bone Microarchitecture

  Osteoporosis affects more than 28 million people in the United States and the lifetime risk for osteoporosis-related morbidity is higher than a woman's combined risk for breast cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer. Health care expenditures for osteoporotic patients in this country are currently nearly 13 billion dollars per annum and are predicted to increase markedly in the next decades due the aging of the population; therefore, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to bone strength and fracture risk. With the advent of skeletal imaging modalities such as high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT), it is now possible to study the genetics of more highly refined peripheral skeletal microarchitecture phenotypes. Because these refined phenotypes have not been measured in many cohort studies, this project was a collaborative effort to include almost all the existing data on HR-pQCT of the radius and tibia, and genetics from around the world. Cohorts involved in the discovery included: 1) Framingham Osteoporosis Study, 2) Mayo Clinic cohort; 3) Geneva Retirees cohort; 4) OFELY cohort from Lyon France; 5) STRAMBO cohort from Lyon France; 6) Swedish Male cohorts. Replication cohorts undergoing de novo genotyping include: 1) QUALYOR cohort from Lyon France; 2) CaMOS cohort from Canada. Other than the Framingham cohort and the Swedish male cohorts, all discovery cohorts underwent genome wide genotyping with the Affymetrix Axiom Biobank array that had common variants along with exome content based on the early findings from the Exome Sequencing Project. All genotype data from the discovery cohorts were then imputed using the Haplotype Reference Consortium reference panel. Variants for replication genotyping using the Kasp technology were selected based on novelty compared with previously identified loci using DXA phenotypes, minor allele frequency, underlying LD structure within a locus, and likelihood of a variant being functional as assessed using various algorithms for coding and non-coding variants.    

  Study phs002102

• A Phase 2 Study of Tipifarnib in Large Granular Lymphocyte (LGL) Leukemia

  LGL leukemia can be divided into three subsets including the following: αβ or γδT-LGL and NK-LGL leukemia. All three subtypes will be enrolled using a two-stage design. The primary endpoint of the study is assessment of overall clinical response. Correlative laboratory studies will be performed aimed at determining the mechanism of response to treatment. Thirteen participants will be accrued in the first stage at a dose of 300 mg BID administered intermittently every other week (i.e., 7 days on and 7 days off). If there are two or more responders, the protocol will be extended to a second stage of the study and accrual will be extended to 25 evaluable participants. Allowing for 10% rate of ineligibility due to unexpected events and dropout, we will accrue 14 patients in the first stage and 27 patients in total. Participants that withdraw from the study for reason unrelated to toxicity, will be replaced. There are two potential stopping rules for toxicity. If 3 or more participants out of the 13 enrolled in the first stage experiences grade IV neurotoxicity, the study will be stopped due to excessive toxicity. Dose reductions have been incorporated for hematologic toxicity. Treatment of T and NK LGL leukemia with immunosuppressive agents such as low-dose methotrexate generally require from four to six months for a clinical response and sometimes much longer. Therefore, in participants who show clinical improvement with less than grade three toxicity, tipifarnib treatment will be continued for as many as four additional months (12 months total). After the first 8 months, response will be assessed. The protocol treatment will be discontinued in participants with progression of disease. A long-term follow up will be performed for five years in patients that receive a complete clinical response. The long-term follow up will consist of vital signs, weight, CBCs, serum chemistries, and physical examination at six month intervals.

  Study phs000594

• NEI CIDR Methylation Profiling of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in GLAUGEN Samples

  This is a case-control study of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). POAG is a progressive optic neuropathy that eventually leads to blindness. More than 30 million people worldwide have Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG), of which greater than 3 million are blind. Gene expression changes in the retina have been observed for POAG. Several recent studies, including the GLAUGEN (Glaucoma Gene Environment) initiative have used GWAS to identify correlative regions of the genome. Despite this, the genetic basis of Glaucoma is not well understood. Epigenetic variation may account for low heritability and environmental effects on human disease. Despite the significant advances being made in understanding the role of epigenetics in gene regulation in other fields, little is known about the relationship between DNA methylation patterns, retinal gene expression, and retinal disease. The goal of this study is to identify differentially methylated regions in the peripheral blood of patients with POAG. The case identification is as per the GLAUGEN description: Cases and controls were recruited from ophthalmology clinics and were examined by ophthalmologists. For cases the clinical exam included intraocular pressure measurements, optic nerve assessment and visual field evaluation. Controls had no family history of glaucoma, normal intraocular pressure and normal optic nerves. POAG and control samples come from Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI). These samples were collected and genotyped as part of the GLAUGEN study. From the MEEI, 50 patients were selected from POAG pedigrees, to include all the probands genotyped by CIDR and are currently undergoing exome sequencing, and to include additional genotyped probands who belong to pedigrees of sufficient size and structure that parent of origin effects could be evaluated. Additional individual-level phenotype and genotype data may be obtained through the authorized access portal of phs000308 (Geneva - Glaugen GWAS Study).

  Study phs000461

• Molecular Etiology of Early-Onset Dystonia

  Primary torsin dystonias (PTD) are a group of movement disorders characterized by twisting muscle contractures, where dystonia is the only clinical sign (except for tremor) and there is no evidence of neuronal degeneration or an acquired cause. Eleven genes have been mapped for primary dystonia including DYT1 (TOR1A), DYT2, DYT4 (TUBB4A), DYT6 (THAP1), DYT7, DYT13,, DYT17, DYT21, CIZ1, DYT24 (ANO3), and DYT25 (GNAL); however, only 3 genes (TOR1A, THAP1, and GNAL) have mutations in early onset dystonia patients. Each is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait but with reduced penetrance, meaning that individuals can carry the mutation but do not show clinical symptoms. The most common form of PTD is adult onset focal accounting for about 90% of all cases of dystonia with a prevalence estimated at 30/100,000 in the general population. A small percentage of focal cases are due to mutations in CIZ1, ANO3, THAP1, TUBB4A, and GNAL, but the vast majority is unaccounted for and is most likely multigenic or multifactorial. In this grant, focusing on early onset PTD, we will uncover genes that influence the penetrance of DYT1 (TOR1A) dystonia through GWAS and exome sequencing studies. We will identify other genes for early onset PTD using exome sequencing and determine whether variants within the identified early onset PTD genes or the pathways associated with these genes contribute to susceptibility in the most prevalent form of PTD, focal dystonia, using a case:control association study. The proposed research will identify novel PTD risk factors and genes, which in turn should reveal shared and intersecting pathways leading to a better understanding of the molecular basis of PTD and provide the underpinnings for developing new treatments. Additionally, insight into the factors that modulate disease penetrance would be a first step in determine whether these could be modified leading to a reduced incidence of the disease.

  Study phs001733

• NHLBI GO-ESP: Family Studies (Hematological Cancers)

  The NHLBI "Grand Opportunity" Exome Sequencing Project (GO-ESP), a signature project of the NHLBI Recovery Act investment, was designed to identify genetic variants in coding regions (exons) of the human genome (the "exome") that are associated with heart, lung and blood diseases. These and related diseases that are of high impact to public health and individuals from diverse racial and ethnic groups will be studied. These data may help researchers understand the causes of disease, contributing to better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, as well as determine whether to tailor prevention and treatments to specific populations. This could lead to more effective treatments and reduce the likelihood of side effects. GO-ESP is comprised of five collaborative components: 3 cohort consortia - HeartGO, LungGO, and WHISP - and 2 sequencing centers - BroadGO and SeattleGO. Two major goals in the study of human malignancies are (i) to understand the genetic basis that underlies the predisposition of certain individuals to develop cancer and (ii) to identify the full spectrum of acquired mutations that occur in human cancers. There has been some progress in both of these areas with respect to hematologic malignancies but much remains to be discovered. As a result of recent advantages in sequencing technologies it is now feasible to sequence multiple individual whole exomes at reasonable cost. Such technologies provide a unique opportunity to transform our understanding of the biological basis of human cancer and to identify inherited genetic variants that predispose individuals to the development of hematologic malignancies. Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute leukemia are clonal disorders of hematopoieis. Our study involves performing whole exome sequencing of individuals with these disorders for the purpose of identifying (i) novel inherited genetic variants associated with the risk of developing of MPN/MDS/acute leukemia and (ii) novel acquired mutations associated with the development of MPN/MDS/acute leukemia.

  Study phs000632

• Gene Environment Association Studies (GENEVA): Genetics of Early Onset Stroke (GEOS) Study

  The Genetics of Early Onset Stroke (GEOS) Study is a population-based case-control study designed to identify genes associated with early-onset ischemic stroke and to characterize interactions of identified stroke genes and/or SNPs with environmental risk factors such as smoking and oral contraceptive use. The GEOS study consists of 921 ischemic stroke cases with age of first stroke 16-50 years and a similar number of controls, identified from the Baltimore-Washington area. Cases and controls were recruited in 3 different time periods: Stroke Prevention in Young Women-1 (SPYW-1) conducted from 1992-1996, Stroke Prevention in Young Women-2 (SPYW-2) conducted from 2001-2003, and Stroke Prevention in Young Men (SPYM) conducted from 2003-2007. The overall GEOS sample includes 477 cases who self-reported their race as "white" and 396 cases who self-reported their race as "African American." Traditional stroke risk factors and other study variables, including age, ethnicity, and history of hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction (MI), current smoking status, and current oral contraceptive use (both defined as use within one month prior to event for cases and at a comparable reference time for controls), were also collected during standardized interview and were included as covariates in our analyses. This study is part of the Gene Environment Association Studies initiative (GENEVA, http://www.genevastudy.org) funded by the trans-NIH Genes, Environment, and Health Initiative (GEI). The overarching goal is to identify novel genetic factors that contribute to early-onset ischemic stroke through large-scale genome-wide association studies of cases and controls of European and African descent from the Baltimore-Washington area. Genotyping was performed at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR). Data cleaning and harmonization were done at the GEI-funded GENEVA Coordinating Center at the University of Washington.

  Study phs000292

• POPRES: Population Reference Sample

  POPRES version 1 and 2 Technological and scientific advances, stemming in large part from the Human Genome and HapMap projects, have made large-scale, genome-wide investigations feasible and cost-effective. These advances have the potential to dramatically impact drug discovery and development by identifying genetic factors that contribute to variation in disease risk as well as drug pharmacokinetics, treatment efficacy, and adverse drug reactions. In spite of the technological advancements, successful application in biomedical research would be limited without access to suitable sample collections. To facilitate exploratory genetic research, we have assembled a DNA resource from a large number of subjects participating in multiple studies throughout the world. This resource was initially genotyped using the Affymetrix 500K SNP panel. This project includes nearly 6,000 subjects of African American, East Asian, South Asian, Mexican, and European origin. POPRES version 3 The discovery and development of novel drugs is challenging and with high attrition rates. Selection of the right target and optimal indications for novel therapeutics represent key decision points in this process, and are often hampered by our limited understanding of the biology of the target in humans. Building a robust body of knowledge of variation within drug target genes has in several cases increased the probability of success for novel therapeutics. Our knowledge of variation within drug target genes and their influence on traits of medical interest is still very limited. In an effort to fill this gap, we resequenced the exons of 202 known or suspected drug target genes in over 16,000 well-phenotyped individuals. A total of 863,883 bases were targeted, including 351 kb of coding and 323 kb of untranslated exon regions. The sequenced subjects included 3,381 from two studies that were part of the Population Reference Sample (POPRES) project: CoLaus (N = 2,059) and LOLIPOP (N = 1,322). Genotyping data generated through the targeted next generation sequencing is available through the dbGaP.

  Study phs000145

• Heart Failure Network - Effectiveness of Ultrafiltration in Treating People with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Cardiorenal Syndrome (HFN CARRESS - BioLINCC)

  ObjectiveThe CARRESS trial examined the effectiveness of ultrafiltration compared with a strategy of diuretic-based stepped pharmacologic therapy on renal function and weight loss in patients with heart failure who have worsening renal function and persistent congestion.BackgroundAcute cardiorenal syndrome is defined as worsening renal function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. It occurs in 25 to 33% of patients and is associated with poor outcomes. Current heart failure treatments focus on removing excess fluid buildup, however administration of intravenous diuretics may contribute to worsening renal function. Venovenous ultrafiltration is one alternative therapy that may be effective in patients with acute decompensated heart failure complicated by acute cardiorenal syndrome and persistent congestionSubjectsA total of 188 patients were randomized.DesignHospitalized subjects were randomly assigned to receive either ultrafiltration therapy or pharmacologic therapy. Ultrafiltration was performed at a fluid-removal rate of 200 ml per hour and loop diuretics were discontinued for the duration of the intervention. The addition of intravenous vasodilators or positive inotropic agents was prohibited, unless they were deemed to be necessary as rescue therapy. Patients assigned to stepped pharmacologic therapy received intravenous diuretics to manage congestion and maintain a urine output of 3 to 5 liters per day. In both groups, the assigned treatment strategy was to be continued until the signs and symptoms of congestion in the patient were reduced as much as possible. The primary end points were baseline changes in serum creatinine and weight as assessed at 96 hours after treatment assignment.ConclusionsThe use of a stepped pharmacologic-therapy algorithm was superior to a strategy of ultrafiltration for the preservation of renal function, and there was a similar amount of weight loss between the two groups. Ultrafiltration was associated with a higher rate of adverse events (Bart, et al., 2012, PMID: 23131078).

  Study phs003510

• Collaborative Cohort of Cohorts for COVID-19 Research (C4R): Framingham Heart Study (FHS)

  Cohort DescriptionIn 1948, the researchers recruited 5,209 men and women between the ages of 30 and 62 from the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, and began the first round of extensive physical examinations and lifestyle interviews that they would later analyze for common patterns related to CVD development. Since 1948, the subjects have returned to the study every two years for an examination consisting of a detailed medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests, and in 1971, the study enrolled a second-generation cohort -- 5,124 of the original participants' adult children and their spouses -- to participate in similar examinations. The second examination of the Offspring cohort occurred eight years after the first examination, and subsequent examinations have occurred approximately every four years thereafter. In 1994, the need to establish a new study reflecting a more diverse community of Framingham was recognized, and the first Omni cohort of the Framingham Heart Study, consisting of 506 participants, was enrolled. In April 2002 4095 third generation of participants, the grandchildren of the original cohort, were added. In 2003, 103 spouses of the offspring Cohort (NOS), and a second group of 410 Omni participants were enrolled. Through 2019, the original cohort has completed a total of 32 exams, the Offspring cohort 9 exams, the OMNI1 cohort 4 exams, and GEN3, NOS and OMNI2 cohorts each have completed 3 exams. The FHS is a joint project of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and Boston University.Data Being Submitted Wave 1 questionnaire data includes 3967 variables for up to 3112 FHS participants in C4R.Wave 2 questionnaire data includes 448 variables for up to 2337 FHS participants in C4R.Dried Blood Spot/Serosurvey data includes 7 variables for up to 2189 FHS participants in C4R.Derived data includes 43 variables for up to 3151 FHS participants in C4R.Phenotype data includes 113 variables for up to 3151 FHS participants in C4R.

  Study phs002911

• Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics (CCDG): Genetics of Orofacial Clefts, Sub-types, and Subclinical Phenotypes - CIDR

  The purpose of this project is to identify the genetic factors contributing to nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (OFCs), common subtypes, and related subclinical phenotypes. The most common subtypes of OFCs are cleft lip alone (CL), cleft lip with cleft palate (CLP), and cleft palate alone (CP). CL and CLP can be unilateral (left or right) or bilateral. Related subclinical phenotypes include occult lip muscle defects, characteristics of craniofacial morphology, and subtle speech abnormalities, which are distributed within families of affected individuals, and may reflect the underlying genetic susceptibility revealing clues about OFC etiology. The multi-ethnic dataset comprises participants recruited from Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Philippines, Nigeria, and Ghana, and includes individuals with OFCs (cases), their unaffected relatives, and unrelated healthy controls. The specific aims of this project are to perform genome-wide association (GWAS) scans of (1) OFCs, (2) cleft subtypes (CL, CLP, CP, and laterality subtypes), and (3) cleft-associated subclinical phenotypes to identify variants associated with manifestations across the cleft-risk spectrum. Phenotyping for participants involved characterization of the overt clefts in cases, including affected structures (lip, alveolus, hard and soft palates), visible microforms, completeness, and laterality. Individuals with syndromic forms of OFCs were excluded from participation. Subclinical features were collected for all participants, including unaffected relatives and controls. Orbicularis oris (upper lip muscle) defects were assessed by high-resolution ultrasonography and scored by three independent raters. Lip print patterns were assessed by digital photography and scored for paramedical whorls by three independent raters. Velopharyngeal insufficiency was assessed with perceptual screening by a speech-language pathology expert. This dataset has potential to improve knowledge of the genetic contributors to OFCs, subtypes, and associated subclinical phenotypes by facilitating genetic association discovery, meta-analysis, and replication efforts. Findings may ultimately be useful for predicting OFC risk and recurrence, and may enhance our understanding of OFC biology.

  Study phs002815

• A Scalable, GMP-Compatible, Autologous Organotypic Cell Therapy for Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

  Gene editing in induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has been hailed for enabling new cell therapies for various monogenetic diseases including dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). However, manufacturing, efficacy, and safety roadblocks have limited the development of genetically corrected, autologous iPS cell-based therapies. Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Cell Therapy (DEBCT), is a new generation, Good Manufacturing Practice-compatible (cGMP), reproducible, and scalable platform to produce autologous clinical-grade iPS cell-derived organotypic induced skin composite (iSC) grafts to treat incurable wounds of patients lacking type VII collagen (C7). DEBCT uses a single step, combined, high-efficiency reprogramming, and CRISPR-based genetic correction to generate genome scar-free, COL7A1 corrected clonal iPS cells from primary patient fibroblasts. Validated iPS cells are converted into epidermal, dermal, and melanocyte progenitors with a novel 2D organoid differentiation protocol, followed by CD49f enrichment and expansion to minimize maturation heterogeneity. iSC product characterization by single cell transcriptomics was followed by mouse xenografting for disease correcting activity at 1 month and toxicology analysis at 1-6 months. Culture-acquired mutations, potential CRISPR-off target effects, and cancer-driver variants were evaluated by targeted and whole genome sequencing. iPS cell-derived iSC grafts were reproducibly generated from four recessive DEB patients with different pathogenic mutations. Organotypic iSC grafts onto immune-compromised mice developed into stable stratified skin with functional C7 restoration. Single cell transcriptomic characterization of iSCs revealed prominent holoclone stem cell signatures in keratinocytes and the recently described Gibbin-dependent signature in dermal fibroblasts. The latter correlated with enhanced graftability. Multiple orthogonal sequencing and subsequent computational approaches identified random and non-oncogenic mutations introduced by the manufacturing process. Toxicology revealed no detectable tumors after 3-6 months in DEBCT-treated mice. In conclusion, DEBCT successfully overcomes previous roadblocks and establishes a robust, scalable, and safe cGMP manufacturing platform for the production of a CRISPR-corrected autologous organotypic skin graft to heal DEB patient wounds.

  Study phs003271

• Ipilimumab plus Decitabine for Patients with MDS or AML in Post-Transplant or Transplant Naïve Settings

  Design and AimsThis study was a phase 1 clinical trial investigating the combination of ipilimumab (IPI), a CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibitor, and decitabine (DEC), a hypomethylating agent, for treating relapsed/refractory (R/R) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The goal was to determine whether DEC could enhance the immune response to IPI without causing excessive immune toxicity. This study provides important insights into the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors with hypomethylating agents in treating high-risk MDS/AML and highlights the need for further research on optimizing immune-based therapies in these settings.Population InformationPost-HSCT arm: 25 patients (23 AML, 2 MDS; all relapsed/refractory).Transplant-naïve arm: 23 patients (15 AML, 8 MDS; 20 relapsed/refractory, 3 untreated).Data available through dbGaPDeidentified individual participant data, Multiplex immunofluorescence staining, Olink, RNA-Seq and Whole Exome SequencingPrincipal FindingsSafety & Tolerability: The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for IPI was determined to be 10 mg/kg, though higher doses were associated with increased immune-related adverse events (irAEs).Efficacy: The overall response rate (ORR) was higher in transplant-naïve patients (52%) compared to post-HSCT patients (20%).Responses were more frequent at higher IPI doses (10 mg/kg). Some patients achieved durable remission (>1 year), often linked to irAE development.Toxicity: The most common grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events included neutropenia (32%-48%), thrombocytopenia (28%-48%), and febrile neutropenia (36%-61%). irAEs were observed in 44%-48% of patients, with GVHD occurring only in the post-HSCT group.Survival Outcomes: Median overall survival and progression-free survival did not significantly differ between the two arms. However, in transplant-naïve patients, 1-year survival was higher in those who developed irAEs (72.7%) versus those who did not (33.3%).

  Study phs003292

• Spatial Transcriptomics of Vaccine Therapy With or Without Cyclophosphamide in Treating Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy for Stage I or Stage II Pancreatic Cancer That Can Be Removed by Surgery

  Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a rapidly progressing cancer that responds poorly to immunotherapies. Intratumoral tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) have been associated with rare long-term PDAC survivors, but the role of TLS in PDAC and their spatial relationships within the context of the broader tumor microenvironment remain unknown. Here, spatial transcriptomics data were generated from 16 pancreatic cancer patients treated with GVAX, whose tumors presented with induced intratumoral TLS. Resected tumor specimens were embedded in OCT media and freshly frozen. Sections were cut into 6.5 x 6.5 mm dimensions compatible with Visium spatial transcriptomics slides. TLS-positive tumor sections from 14 patients (14 tumor samples in total) and lymph nodes from remaining patients (2 lymph node samples in total) were selected by an expert pathologist for profiling. We used 4 Visium slides and covered the 16 capture areas with sections cut in a cryostat at 10 µm. The fresh frozen Visium protocol was followed according to manufacturer's recommendations (10x Genomics Spatial 3' v1). Tissue permeabilization and library construction was carried out according to the manufacturer's protocols. Permeabilization time was optimized to 30 minutes. The captured tissue sections were permeabilized to allow RNA to be captured onto the slide where it reverse-transcribed to cDNA. The cDNA was then amplified, and sequencing libraries were prepared using the 10x Genomics Visium Spatial Gene Expression Reagent Kit for Library Preparation. The libraries were then sequenced using an Illumina NovaSeq sequencer. The raw data obtained from the sequencing were processed using the SpaceRanger (spaceranger-1.2.0) pipeline for alignment onto the GRCh38-2020-A reference transcriptome quantification of gene expression. Unsupervised learning generated a TLS-specific spatial gene expression signature that significantly associates with improved survival in PDAC patients. These analyses demonstrate TLS-associated intratumoral B cell maturation.

  Study phs003862

• DNA Methylation in Prostate Tumor and Paired Benign Tissue for African and European Ancestry Men

  We recruited prostate cancer (PCa) patients undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at the University of Chicago Medical Center Urology Clinic between 2011 and 2017. Our study includes 76 African American (AA) and 75 European American (EA) men with PCa of Gleason Score (GS) ≥7, recruited by the Epidemiology Research Recruitment Core at the University of Chicago. All patients consented to the collection of questionnaire data, prostate tissue, and medical records. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Chicago. Following prostatectomy, prostate tissue was sent to the Human Tissue Research Center (HTRC) at the University of Chicago. Each sample underwent histological examination and Gleason scoring by University of Chicago genitourinary pathologists. The presence of adenocarcinoma was confirmed by overexpression of alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme-A racemase (AMACR) and areas for DNA extraction were marked. Tissue samples used for DNA extraction were obtained using with either a 1mm biopunch or laser microdissection of a 100 µm2 area of tissue. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiles were generated using Illumina's Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip array kit. Genome-wide SNP data was generated (from benign tissue DNA) using the Illumina Infinium Multi-Ethnic Global-8 v1.0 array at the University of Chicago Genomics Core Facility. We performed imputation using the Haplotype Reference Consortium (HRC, Version r1.1 2016) panel, which includes all samples from the 1,000 Genomes Project (Phase 3), using the Michigan Imputation Server. The imputed SNP data for mQTL analysis was imputed based on genotype SNP data which was all from benign tissue DNA and the methylation data was identified in both tumor and benign tissue, both AA and EA men, and identified QTLs co-occuring with prostate cancer susceptibility loci.Data including SNP genotypes, DNA methylation, tissue type, and participant characteristics will be available in dbGaP.

  Study phs003516

• Parallel CRISPR Editing of Familial ALS Mutations

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

  Study phs002440

• Molecular analysis of diffuse cerebellar gliomas

  Among diffuse gliomas, oligodendrogliomas show relatively better prognosis, respond well to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and seldom progress to very aggressive tumors. To elucidate the genetic and epigenetic background for such behavior and tumor evolution during tumor relapse, we comparatively analyzed 12 pairs of primary and recurrent oligodendrogliomas with 1p/19q-codeletion. Initial treatment for these patients was mostly chemotherapy alone. Temozolomide was used for 3, and procarbazine, nimustine and vincristine (PAV chemotherapy) were used for 7 patients. World Health Organization histological grade at recurrence was mostly stable; it was increased in 2, the same in 9, and decreased in 1 cases. Whole-exome sequencing demonstrated that the rate of shared mutation between the primary and recurrent tumors was relatively low, ranging from 3.2-57.9% (average, 33.3%), indicating a branched evolutionary pattern. The trunk alterations that existed throughout the course were restricted to IDH1 mutation, 1p/19q-codeletion, and TERT promoter mutation, and mutation of the known candidate tumor suppressor genes CIC and FUBP1 were not consistently observed between primary and recurrent tumors. Multiple sampling from different regions within a tumor showed marked intratumoral heterogeneity. Notably, in general, the number of mutations was not significantly different after recurrence, remaining under 100, and no hypermutator phenotype was observed. FUBP1 mutation, loss of chr. 9p21, and TCF12 mutation were among a few recurrent de novo alterations that were found at recurrence, indicating that these events were clonally selected at recurrence but were not enough to enhance malignancy. Genome-wide methylation status, measured by Illumina 450 K arrays, was stable between recurrence and the primary tumor. In summary, although oligodendroglioma displays marked mutational heterogeneity, histological malignant transformation accompanying events such as considerable increase in mutation number and epigenetic profile change were not observed at recurrence, indicating that noticeable temporal and spatial genetic heterogeneity in oligodendrogliomas does not result in rapid tumor progression.

  Study JGAS000106

• Local In Time Statistics for processual research

  Background: Functional genomics in a processual analysis cover the time-dependent changes in transcriptomics and epigenetics before diagnosis of a disease, reflecting the changes in both life style and disease processes. The aim of this paper is to explore the dynamic, time-dependent mechanisms of the metastatic processes, using blood transcriptomics and including time in a continuous manner. For achieving this goal we develop new statistical methods based on statistics that are local in time. Methods: The new statistical method, Local In Time Statistics (LITS), is based on calculating statistics in moving windows and randomization. The method has been tested for the analysis of a dataset that collectively provides information on the blood transcriptome up to eight years before breast cancer diagnosis. The dataset from the NOWAC Post-genome Cohort consists of 467 case-control pairs matched on birth year and time of blood sampling. The data for a pair is the difference in log2 gene expression between the case and control. The stratified analyses are based on important biological differences like metastatic versus non-metastatic cancer, and the mode of cancer detection, i.e. screening detected versus clinically detected cancers. The dataset was used for examining whether the gene expression profile varies between cases and controls, with time, or between cases with and without metastases. Results: The null hypotheses of no differences between cases and controls, no time-dependent changes, and no differences between different strata were all rejected. For screening detected cancers the probability of correct prediction of metastasis status was best in year 1 before diagnosis compared to year 3 and 4 before diagnosis for clinically detected cancers. The predictor was not very sensitive to the number of genes included.Conclusions: Using a new statistical method, LITS, we have demonstrated time-dependent changes of the blood transcriptome up to eight years before breast cancer diagnosis.

  Study EGAS00001002520

• Genome_Diversity_in_Africa_Project__Uganda

  Globally, human populations show structured genetic diversity as a result of geographical dispersion, selection and drift. Understanding this genetic variation can provide insights into the evolutionary processes that shape both human adaptation and variation in disease. Populations from SSA have the highest levels of genetic diversity. This characteristic, in addition to historical genetic admixture, can lead to complexities in the design of studies assessing the genetic determinants of disease and human variation. However, such studies of African populations are also likely to provide new opportunities to discover novel disease susceptibility loci and variants and refine gene–disease association signals. A systematic assessment of genetic diversity within SSA would facilitate genomic epidemiological studies in the region. The Genome Diversity in Africa Project (GDAP) aims to produce a comprehensive catalogue of human genetic variation in SSA, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), structural variants, and haplotypes. This resource will make a substantial contribution to understanding patterns of genetic diversity within and among populations in SSA, as well as providing a global resource to help design, implement and interpret genomic studies in SSA populations and studies comprising globally diverse populations, complementing existing genomic resources. Specifically, we plan to carry out high depth whole genome sequencing of up to 2000 individuals across Africa (25 individuals from each ethnolinguistic group). Our scientific objectives are to: 1) develop a resource that provides a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variation in populations from SSA accessible to the global scientific community; 2) characterise population genetic diversity, structure, gene flow and admixture across SSA; 3) develop a cost-efficient, next-generation genotype array for diverse populations across SSA; and 4) facilitate whole genome-sequencing association studies of complex traits and diseases by developing a reference panel for imputation and resource for enhancing fine-mapping disease susceptibility loci. These scientific objectives will be supported by cross-cutting operational activities, including network and management of the consortium, research ethics, and research capacity building in statistical genetics and bioinformatics

  Study EGAS00001002523

• H3Africa - Genomic and Environmental Risk Factors for Cardiometabolic Disease in Africans

  The long-term vision of the AWI-Gen Collaborative Centre (CC) is to build sustainable capacity in Africa for research that leads to an understanding of the interplay between genetic, epigenetic and environmental risk factors for obesity and related cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) in sub-Saharan Africa. The CC will be consolidated under the auspices of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health in Developing Countries (INDEPTH). It will capitalize on the unique strengths of existing longitudinal cohorts, including the urban Soweto and rural Agincourt studies in South Africa (Wits based), and the well established INDEPTH demographic health and surveillance centers in Kenya, Ghana, Burkina Faso and South Africa. The centers offer established infrastructure, trained fieldworkers, long-standing community engagement, and detailed longitudinal phenotypic data, focusing on obesity and cardiometabolic health. Key strengths are harmonized phenotyping across sites, building on strong existing cohorts, and representation of the geographic and social variability of African populations. We aim to: 1. Build sustainable infrastructure (biobanks and laboratories) and capabilities (well characterized population cohorts, genotyping and bioinformatics) for genomic research on the African continent; 2. Understand the genomic architecture of sub-Saharan populations from west, east and south Africa to guide genomic studies (genome sequencing and high throughput SNP and CNV arrays using unrelated individuals and family trios to improve the accuracy of haplotype analyses) and; 3. Investigate the independent and synergistic genomic contributions to body fat distribution (BMI, hip/waist circumference, subcutaneous and visceral fat) in these populations considering the relevant environmental and social contexts (rural/urban communities, quickly transitioning obesity prevalence, differential HIV, TB, and malaria infection histories). We will investigate the effect of obesity and fat distribution on the risk for CMD in the longitudinal cohorts.

  Study EGAS00001002482

• Bulk-RNA Sequencing of high-grade pancreatic and non-pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

  Therapeutic decisions in oncology depend on a precise pathological classification of individual neoplasms. Recent years have seen an intensification of research activities aimed at the extraction of clinically relevant information from patient-derived 'omics' data based on Machine-Learning models. However, a comprehensive training of Machine-Learning models requires sufficiently large numbers of training samples, which are usually not available for rare cancer types. The problem is worsened when individual tissues segregate into different cancer subtypes, as their discrimination would require even more training samples. Methods: Here, we report on a new data-augmentation technique to support the training of Machine-Learning models on ‘omics’ data from pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (panNEN). PanNENs display all properties described above: Only about 2-3% of all pancreatic neoplasms are neuroendocrine and they fall into different subtypes with distinctly different prognosis, which makes the precise classification of such samples both difficult and important for therapy decisions. The approach reconstructs a given transcriptome based on healthy pancreatic cell type signatures and creates a Machine-Learning model that integrates the observed reconstruction error and predicted cell type proportions as features. Results: A benchmark of the deconvolution model predictions with the ground-truth found that the model could efficiently predict the sample grading, disease-related patient survival time, and differentiate between different subtypes in four panNEN and one mixed panNEN and non-pancreatic NENs dataset. We compared the predictive performance of the deconvolution-trained model to that of a model trained directly on the transcriptomic data, under inclusion of the Ki-67 classification gold standard biomarker, and found the performances to be comparable. Conclusion: Our approach serves as a data-augmentation technique to facilitate the training of Machine Learning models for rare cancer types via utilization of data from healthy origin. Additionally, the deconvolution results were clinically interpretable and further research can render the deconvolution approach an effective complementary asset for the clinical classification of neoplasms.

  Study EGAS00001004861

• Immune induction strategies to enhance the sensitivity to PD-1 blockade in metastatic triple negative breast cancer: the TONIC-trial

  The response rate in metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) to PD-1 blockade is low, highlighting an urgent clinical need for strategies that render the TNBC tumor microenvironment (TME) more sensitive to PD-1 blockade. Immunomodulatory mechanisms have been proposed for both chemotherapy and irradiation, but it has not been established whether these therapies may improve efficacy of PD-1 blockade by favorably changing the TME. In the first stage of this adaptive, non-comparative phase II trial (TONIC-trial; NCT02499367), 67 patients with metastatic TNBC were randomized to nivolumab without induction or to one of four induction treatments, consisting of irradiation of one metastatic lesion (3x8 Gy) or a two- week low-dose regimen of cyclophosphamide, cisplatin or doxorubicin, all followed by nivolumab. In the overall cohort of 66 evaluable patients, the objective response rate (ORR; iRECIST16) was 20% (95% CI: 11%-31%), with two complete responses and 11 partial responses. The majority of clinical responses were observed on nivolumab in the cisplatin (ORR 23%; 3/13) and doxorubicin (ORR 35%; 6/17) cohorts. After doxorubicin and cisplatin induction, we detected an upregulation of immune-related genes, involved in PD-1/PD-L1, and T-cell cytotoxicity pathways. This was further supported by enrichment among upregulated genes related to inflammation, JAK-STAT and TNFα-signaling after doxorubicin. In addition, we observed a trend towards increased T-cell infiltration, measured using T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, after doxorubicin. Together, the clinical and translational data of this study testing different immune induction strategies prior to nivolumab suggest that short-term doxorubicin and cisplatin may induce a more favorable TME and increase the likelihood of response to PD-1 blockade in TNBC. These data warrant further confirmation in TNBC and exploration of induction treatments prior to PD-1 blockade in other cancer types.

  Study EGAS00001003535

• The G2 gene expression signature and MYC overexpression are independent poor prognostic factors in childhood high-grade osteosarcoma

  Purpose In high-grade osteosarcoma, prognostic factors at diagnosis are insufficient for stratifying patients into relevant subgroups. Recently, a transcriptomic study developed the G1/G2 gene expression signature, in which the G2 signature was associated with unfavorable survival. An orthogonal study identified MYC amplification as an unfavorable prognostic factor using targeted next-generation sequencing. The purpose of this study was to validate the independent prognostic value and to investigate the combined prognostic value of the G1/G2 signature with, MYC amplification and/or MYC expression for survival prediction. Material and methods This study included pediatric and adolescent patients with high-grade osteosarcoma. RNA sequencing was performed in 48 patients. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in 40 patients. Gene expression signature scores, MYC amplification (defined as > 7 copies) and MYC expression levels were calculated. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed for event-free survival (EFS) (primary endpoint) and overall survival (OS) (secondary endpoint). Results In the full cohort, the 3-year event-free survival rate was 37%. In multivariable Cox regression analysis with metastatic disease stage (n=21, 44%) as covariate, the G2 signature and MYC expression were independently associated with worse outcomes in terms of EFS (Hazard ratio (HR) 3.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34-8.21 and HR 3.38, 95%-CI 1.71-6.66, respectively) and OS (HR 4.07, 95%-CI 1.19-13.9 and HR 2.88, 95%-CI 1.22-6.76, respectively). MYC amplification was not associated with EFS or OS in univariable analysis (HR 1.88, 95% -CI 0.74-4.77 and HR 0.79, 95%-CI 0.21-3.05, respectively). Conclusion The G2 gene expression signature and MYC expression were independently associated with unfavorable outcomes in a pediatric cohort of patients with high-grade osteosarcoma. The combined prognostic value warrants further prospective validation and could potentially serve as a stratification marker for future osteosarcoma treatment protocols.

  Study EGAS00001008073

• The Melbourne Urological Research Alliance (MURAL) Collection of Patient-Derived Models of Prostate Cancer

  1. Low-Dose Carboplatin Modifies the Tumor Microenvironment to Augment CAR T Cell Efficacy in Human Prostate Cancer Models.Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to analyze the transcriptional modifications in the tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer patient-derived xenografts (PDX). The analyzed PDX tumor was PDX-287R from the MURAL collection of PDXs (PMID: 34413304). Mice harboring PDX tumors were treated with the carboplatin chemotherapy, and tumors were harvested 3 weeks later. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was used to define immune and non-immune cell populations and anti-tumor innate immune signaling within the tumor microenvironment.To investigate the response of tumor cells to carboplatin treatment in more detail, RNA-Seq was performed on FACs-isolated tumor cells from PDX-287R at one week post-treatment. Gene set enrichment analysis showed an enrichment for apoptotic pathways, with significantly increased expression of the pro-apoptotic genes FAS, BAX, BBC3, IFI6, and JUN. Previously, carboplatin has been shown to activate the cGAS/STING pathway, and here we also found an increase in STING signaling, with an enrichment for the cytosolic DNA sensing pathway and increased expression of STING1, STAT1 and STAT2. There was also a significant increase in the expression of genes involved in T cell chemotaxis, including CXCL10, CXCL11, and CCL20. Collectively, carboplatin-induced cell death in tumor cells likely initiated a pro-inflammatory phenotype in prostate cancer PDXs.2. Co-Targeting BET, CREBBP, and EP300 Inhibits Neuroendocrine Signaling in Androgen Receptor-Null Prostate Cancer.The landscape of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is characterized by a multitude of phenotypes, among which neuroendocrine disease holds a prominent position, each displaying unique responses to therapeutic interventions. The efficacy of inhibitors targeting BET and CREBBP/EP300 in prostate cancer treatment is widely acknowledged, primarily due to their ability to attenuate androgen receptor (AR) signaling. However, the effectiveness of these inhibitors in prostate cancers devoid of AR remains uncertain.This investigation sought to elucidate the role of BRD4, CREBBP, and EP300, which are co-expressed in both AR-positive and AR-null prostate cancer. Our study revealed that a compound targeting all three proteins, NEO2734, exhibited efficacy in suppressing the growth of organoids from both AR-positive and AR-null tumors, as evidenced by alterations in viability, size, and cellular composition. Furthermore, NEO2734 treatment consistently led to transcriptional downregulation of cell cycle pathways across various models. In the context of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), NEO2734 demonstrated notable efficacy. Treatment with NEO2734 resulted in decreased expression of ASCL1 and other neuroendocrine markers (including SYP) , accompanied by a reduction in tumor growth in vivo. These findings collectively underscore the potential of epigenome-targeted inhibitors in impeding the growth of neuroendocrine prostate cancer, by disrupting lineage regulators in a phenotype-dependent manner. Consistent with the NEPC organoids and explants, NKX3-1 was upregulated in NEO2734-treated PDXs.In this study, we examined the impact of NEO2734 treatment on 6 organoids (treated for 24 hrs), 3 explants treated with JQ1 (for 48 hrs) and 2 PDXs (at two time points) using bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). These results are available through this dbGaP submission. The implications of these results warrant further exploration and development of compounds possessing similar activities for clinical applications. The ability of NEO2734 to mitigate the growth of both AR-positive and AR-null prostate cancer underscores its potential as a versatile therapeutic agent. Moreover, its efficacy in targeting neuroendocrine phenotypes offers promising avenues for addressing a subtype of CRPC that poses significant clinical challenges. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the intricate interplay between epigenetic regulators and prostate cancer phenotypes. The observed effects of NEO2734 on growth inhibition and phenotype-specific disruption highlight the importance of continued research into compounds with similar epigenome-targeting mechanisms for advancing precision medicine approaches in the treatment of prostate cancer.3. Defining Focal Neuroendocrine Differentiation as a Transcriptionally Distinct Form of Prostate Cancer Pathology Characterized by the Expression of Androgen ReceptorsThe study aimed to understand the transcriptional differences among different neuroendocrine pathologies of prostate cancer. The study hypothesized that the diverse neuroendocrine pathology observed in prostate might be attributable to differences in transcriptional level that remain hidden in bulk RNA-Seq data. To investigate, we employed scRNA-seq to generate gene expression profiles of 18,632 individual tumor cells from 9 PDX models representing five distinct neuroendocrine pathologies of prostate cancer. Our analysis identified 3-8 transcriptionally distinct sub-populations per PDX. The expression of key oncogenic signaling pathways and master regulator activity varied across in neuroendocrine pathologies, with each type of pathology displaying a unique set of transcriptional sub-populations. We discovered that, like the amphicrine pathology, focal neuroendocrine differentiation (focal NED) cells maintain androgen receptor (AR) signaling. However, the expression profiles of focal NED cells differed from the other pathologies, indicating it should be considered as a distinct type of neuroendocrine pathology in prostate cancer. Analysis of copy number alterations suggested little clonal divergence between focal NED cells and neighboring adenocarcinoma cells, emphasizing the transcriptional distinctiveness of focal NED.Overall, the findings suggest potential differences in treatment approaches for tumors from prostate cancer patients showing neuroendocrine pathology, especially focal NED.4. Reprogramming of Androgen Receptor Activity in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer is Shaped by Truncated Variants.Under the influence of treatments that target the androgen receptor (AR) axis, prostate cancer cells undergo various changes to the AR gene. This includes the production of truncated AR variants that lack the ligand binding domain and are constitutively active. However, the exact role of these truncated variants in shaping the AR signaling axis and their importance in therapy resistance is not yet fully understood. By examining the AR cistrome in a group of patient-derived prostate cancer models with different mechanisms of castration resistance, we observed diverse changes in AR activity in metastatic prostate cancer, including castration-resistant models. Specifically, we identified a unique subset of tumors characterized by the expression of ARv567es, a variant resulting from structural rearrangements of the AR gene. Tumors positive for ARv567es showed a distinct AR binding profile and epigenome compared to those without ARv567es, which was linked to an altered transcriptional profile. The presence of ARv567es is associated with poor responses to treatments, such as castration and bipolar androgen therapy (BAT), regardless of the presence of full-length AR. This involves disruption of the autoregulatory loop that controls AR gene transcription and reduced transcriptional responses to treatment. Overall, this study demonstrates that ARv567es can lead to transcriptional reprogramming in advanced prostate cancer and drive therapy resistance. 5. The MURAL Collection of Prostate Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts Enables Discovery Through Preclinical Models of Uro-Oncology.We created a comprehensive PDX resource for prostate cancer to facilitate the rapid and systematic evaluation of new therapies. This collection includes 59 tumors from 30 patients, gathered between 2012 and 2020, aligning with the availability of abiraterone and enzalutamide in the clinic. The PDXs cover the clinical, pathological, and genomic spectrum of prostate cancer, ranging from treatment-naïve primary tumors to castration-resistant metastases. We characterized heterogeneity in adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine phenotypes using bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing. Additionally, organoids were cultured from PDXs, enhancing our preclinical study capabilities. Employing a 1x1x1 design, we quickly identified tumors with responses to combination therapies. To manage the distribution of PDXs, we established the Melbourne Urological Research Alliance (MURAL). This PDX collection significantly enhances our ability to test and prioritize effective treatments for future clinical trials in prostate cancer.6. Prostate Cancer Associated Fibroblasts Have Distinct Morpho-Mechanical Features That Are Associated With Patient Outcome.The tumor stroma, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), has a crucial role in tumor progression. This study focused on the morphological and mechanical properties of CAFs and normal prostatic fibroblasts. The findings revealed that CAFs had distinct morphological and mechanical characteristics compared to normal fibroblasts, such as differences in nuclear size, shape, F-actin arrangement, cellular volumes, and elasticity. Additionally, the study correlated these biophysical properties with transcriptomic data, identifying pathways and cellular components linked to the observed changes. Overall, high-throughput assessments of biophysical properties in prostate cancer cells and stromal components may serve as predictive tools for patient outcomes and help identify new therapeutic approaches targeting the tumor stroma.

  Study phs003369

• CIDR NICHD Genetic Basis of Recessive Pediatric Brain Disease - Group 3

  The purpose of this study is to identify new genetic causes of recessive forms of pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including Cerebellar hypoplasia (CBH), Lissencephaly (LIS), Microcephaly (MIC), Corpus callosum hypoplasia (CCH), Pontocerebellar hypoplasia (PCH), Pontine tegmental cap dysplasia (PTCD), and Aicardi syndrome among many others. Using whole exome sequencing (WES) on one or two affected members per family, we are able to identify many pathogenic genes for these families. Using Human SNP Linkage Scans, which takes advantage of the Illumina HumanCore Array, and parametric linkage analysis software (Genehunter, Allegro, and others), we seek to identify pathogenic loci utilizing 60-70 families per year. Through the combination of parametric linkage analysis with exome sequencing and bioinformatics approaches, we will refine our search for superior sensitivity and accuracy when investigating candidate genes and identifying causative mutations for disease.

  Study phs001510

• Test Study for EGA using data from 1000 Genomes Project - Phase 3

  The 1000 Genomes Project set out to provide a comprehensive description of common human genetic variation by applying whole-genome sequencing to a diverse set of individuals from multiple populations. Here we report completion of the project, having reconstructed the genomes of 2,504 individuals from 26 populations using a combination of low-coverage whole-genome sequencing, deep exome sequencing, and dense microarray genotyping. We characterized a broad spectrum of genetic variation, in total over 88 million variants (84.7 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 3.6 million short insertions/deletions (indels), and 60,000 structural variants), all phased onto high-quality haplotypes. This resource includes >99% of SNP variants with a frequency of >1% for a variety of ancestries. We describe the distribution of genetic variation across the global sample, and discuss the implications for common disease studies...

  Study EGAS00001005042

• 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

• WGS and WTS data of patients diagnosed with MEITL.

  WGS from 4 patients, WTS from only 3 patients (insufficient tissue from 4th patient for WTS). Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed for 60 pairs of tumor-normal samples from patients diagnosed with NKTL. Genomic DNA from tumor tissue was extracted with QIAamp DNA Mini Kit. The DNA for the matching normal was obtained from blood or buccal swabs and purified by Blood and Cell Culture DNA Mini kit or E.Z.N.A. Tissue DNA Kit (Omega Bio-tek) according to manufacturer’s instructions. The quantity and quality were assessed by Quant-iT PicoGreen dsDNA Assay Kit (Invitrogen) and agarose gel electrophoresis. All sequencing libraries were prepared using TruSeq Nano DNA Library Prep Kit (Illumina). Paired-end sequencing was performed on Illumina HiSeq 2000. Whole-transcriptome sequencing (WTS): Total RNA from snap frozen EITL tumor samples was extracted using TRIzol (Invitrogen) and purified with RNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen) according to manufacturer’s instructions. The integrity of RNA was determined by electrophoresis using 2100 Bioanalyzer (Agilent Technologies). 500 ng of total RNA was reverse transcribed with iScript cDNA Synthesis Kit (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). Quantification was performed using SsoFast EvaGreen Supermix and CFX96 Real-Time PCR System (both Bio-Rad). Sequencing libraries were prepared using the TruSeq Stranded Total RNA Library Prep Kit with Ribo-Zero (Illumina) and WTS was performed on Illumina HiSeq 2500 with 2x101 bp read length. Description of prefix used in filenames: T: Tumor samples N: Normal samples (Blood) P: PDX samples

  Dataset EGAD00001005341

• Molecular risk stratification in patients with T1 colorectal cancer_WES

  The introduction of bowel cancer screening has led to a significant increase in the proportion of patients being diagnosed with asymptomatic, early-stage colorectal cancer (CRC). Although the majority of these patients are successfully treated with surgery alone, a small proportion of patients have 'born-to-be-bad' aggressive lesions with early dissemination leading to distant metastases. Current standard of care histological assessment is unable to distinguish between these aggressive versus non-aggressive early lesions which is essential to provide appropriate clinical management decisions. This study aims to carry out molecular and histological profiling of approximately 300 T1 CRCs in order to develop a molecular stratifier based on the risk of relapse in early-invasive CRC. This novel T1 cohort will represent the world's largest molecularly characterised T1 cohort of samples, with digital pathology assessment alongside whole exome sequencing, copy number variation analysis and 3' RNA-seq. This data will be used to generate a robust panel of molecular and/or histological markers applicable to formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) archival tissue which discriminates between T1 lesions based on risk of relapse, which will ultimately be used to inform clinical management of CRC at the earliest stages of the disease.

  Dataset EGAD00001010890

• Reliable detection of somatic mutations in solid tissues by laser-capture microdissection and low-input DNA sequencing

  Somatic mutations accumulate in healthy tissues as we age, giving rise to cancer and potentially contributing to ageing. To study somatic mutations in non-neoplastic tissues, we developed a series of protocols to sequence the genomes of small populations of cells isolated from histological sections. Here, we describe a complete workflow that combines laser-capture microdissection (LCM) with low-input genome sequencing, whilst circumventing the use of whole-genome amplification (WGA). The protocol is subdivided broadly into 4 steps: tissue processing, LCM, low-input library generation and mutation calling and filtering. The tissue processing and LCM steps are provided as general guidelines which may require tailoring based on the specific requirements of the study at hand. Our protocol for low-input library generation utilises enzymatic rather than acoustic fragmentation to generate WGA-free whole-genome libraries. Finally, the mutation calling and filtering strategy has been adapted from previously published protocols to account for artefacts introduced via library creation. To date, we have used this workflow to perform targeted and whole-genome sequencing of small populations of cells (typically 100-1,000 cells) in thousands of microbiopsies from a wide range of human tissues. The low-input DNA protocol is designed to be compatible with liquid handling platforms and make use of equipment and expertise standard to any core sequencing facility. However, obtaining low-input DNA material via LCM requires specialized equipment and expertise. The entire protocol from tissue reception through whole-genome library generation can be accomplished in as little as a week, though 2-3 weeks would be a more typical turnaround time.

  Dataset EGAD00001006088

• RNAseq of whole blood in 359 idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension patients reveals biological heterogeneity

  Patients with idiopathic, heritable, or drug-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (referred to throughout as PAH) were recruited from expert centers across the UK as part of the PAH Cohort study (www.ipahcohort.com). In each case, diagnosis was confirmed by right heart catheterization following established international guidelines, which remained unchanged for the duration of this study. Healthy volunteers were recruited at the same centers and samples processed using the same standard operating procedure at all sites. All individuals gave written, informed consent with local ethical committee approval. Whole blood (3 ml) was collected in Tempus Blood RNA Tubes, and RNAseq was performed using established Illumina methodologies (see online supplement for further details).

  Dataset EGAD00001007981

• Single cell eQTL map of T cell activation

  We isolated naive and memory CD4+ T cells from 119 healthy individuals and stimulated the cells using anti-CD3/anti-CD28 coated beads. We profiled gene expression using single cell RNA-seq (10X-Genomics 3’ v2 kit) at resting state and three time points of activation (16h, 40h and 5 days post stimulation) and mapped expression quantitative trait loci.

  Dataset EGAD00001008197

• RNA, ATAC, ChIP datasets from Ankylosing Spondylitis patients and Healthy Controls

  This dataset consists of functional genomic data from 20 Ankylosing Spondylitis patients and 35 Healthy Controls taken from CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and CD14 Monocytes. It contains 364 paired end fastq files consisting of 104 total RNA-seq samples and 116 ATAC samples, for ChIP there are 46 H3K4me3 samples, 46 H3K27ac samples and 3 H3K4me1 samples, along with 49 paired input samples. The samples were sequenced on Illumina HiSeq4000, Illumina NextSeq500 and Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platforms.

  Dataset EGAD00001008758

• Expression profiling of a human endocrine pancreas iPSC model

  Directed differentiation of stem cells offers a scalable solution to the need for human cell models recapitulating islet biology and T2D pathogenesis. We profiled mRNA expression at six stages of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) model of endocrine pancreas development from two donors, and characterized the distinct transcriptomic profiles associated with each stage. Established regulators of endodermal lineage commitment, such as SOX17 (log2 fold change [FC] compared to iPSCs=14.2, p-value=4.9x10-5) and the pancreatic agenesis gene GATA6 (log2 FC=12.1, p-value=8.6x10-5), showed transcriptional variation consistent with their known developmental roles. However, these analyses highlighted many other genes with stage-specific expression patterns, some of which may be novel drivers or markers of islet development. For example, the leptin receptor gene, LEPR, was most highly expressed in published data from in vivo-matured cells compared to the endocrine pancreas-like cells (log2 FC=5.5, p-value=2.0x10-12), suggesting a role for the leptin pathway in the maturation process. Endocrine pancreas-like cells showed significant stage-selective expression of adult islet genes, including INS, ABCC8, and GLP1R, and enrichment of relevant GO-terms (e.g. “insulin secretion”; odds ratio=4.2, p-value=1.9x10-3): however, principal component analysis indicated that in vitro-differentiated cells were more immature than adult islets. Integration of the stage-specific expression information with genetic data from T2D genome-wide association studies revealed that 46 of 82 T2D-associated loci harbor genes present in at least one developmental stage, facilitating refinement of potential effector transcripts. Together, these data show that expression profiling in an iPSC islet development model can further understanding of islet biology and T2D pathogenesis.

  Dataset EGAD00001002148

• Epithelial, fibroblast, myeloid, T cell, primary prostate cancer

  The collection and use of tissue for this study had Melbourne Health institutional review board approval and patients provided written informed consent (Melbourne Health Local Project Number: 2016.087). Following the prostatectomy of 13 patients, ranging from 52 to 78 years of age and from CAPRA-S risk score of 0 (attributed to benign tissue samples, harvested from a site far from a low grade, low volume cancer) to 7 (Supplementary file 2), a four millimeter tissue core was collected from the prostate tumour site, conditional to histopathological verification66,67. If not otherwise specified, all procedures were carried out at 4 °C. Tissue blocks were washed in Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution for 2 minutes and minced for 2 minutes with a scalpel. Homogenised tissue was added to a solution (total volume of 7 ml) composed by of 1 mg/ml collagenase IV (Worthington Biochemical Corp, USA), 0.02 mg/ml DNase 1 (New England Biolabs, USA), 0.2 mg/ml dispase (Merck, USA). The tissue homogenised was serially digested at 37 °C at 180 rpm, through three steps of 5, 10 and 10 minutes of duration, with the final 3 minutes dedicated to sedimentation at 0 rpm. After each digestion step, the supernatant was aspirated and filtered through a 70 μm strainer into a pre-chilled tube, diluting the solution with 15 ml of 2% bovine serum PBS to quench the enzymatic reaction. The resulting cumulative solution was then centrifuged at 1500 rpm for five minutes, with the supernatant collected and the cell pellet resuspended into 1 ml 2% PBS-serum prior to labelling (Fig. S1).

  Dataset EGAD00001004948

• Characterization_of_individual_foci_of_multicentric_multifocal_breast_cancer_using_targeted_next_generation_sequencing

  Multifocality or multicentricity in breast cancer may be defined as the presence of two or more tumor foci within a single quadrant of the breast or within different quadrants of the same breast, respectively. This original classification of the breast cancer as multicentric or multifocal was based on the assumption that cancers arising in the same quadrant were more likely to arise from the same ductal structures than those occurring in separate areas of the breast. The problem with these definitions is that the “quadrants” of the breast are arbitrary external designations, as no internal boundaries do exist. This project will therefore focus both on synchronous multifocal and multicentric tumors. The incidence of multifocal and multicentric breast cancers was reported to be between 13 and 75% depending on the definition used, the extent of the pathologic sampling of the breast and whether in situ disease is considered evidence of multicentricity (1). Although this incidence is variable, those figures show that it is a frequent phenomenon. Multiple (multifocal/multicentric) breast carcinomas, especially when occurring in the same breast, represent a real challenge for both pathologists and clinicians in terms of identifying the cellular origin and the best therapeutic management of the cancer. Multifocality or multicentricity has been associated with a number of more aggressive features including an increased rate of regional lymph node metastases and adverse patient outcome when compared with unifocal tumors (2-3), and a possible increased risk of local recurrence following breast conserving surgery (4). For the moment, the literature is divided on whether there is a corresponding impact on survival outcomes. Today, the current convention to stage and to treat multifocal and multicentric tumors is the classical tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging guidelines with which tumor size is assessed by the largest tumor focus without taking other foci of disease into consideration. If some papers, as the recent one from Lynch and colleagues, support the current staging convention (3), others, however, as Boyages et al. suggested that aggregate size and not the size of the largest lesion should be considered in order to refine the prognostic assessment of those tumors (5). On the top of that, the question whether multifocal/multicentric carcinomas are due to the spread of a single carcinoma throughout the breast or is due to multiple carcinomas arising simultaneously has been a matter of debate. Some studies suggested that multifocal breast cancer may result from either intramammary spread from a single primary tumor or multiple synchronous primary tumors; whereas others suggest that multiple breast carcinomas always arise from the same clone (6-8). Recently, Pietri and colleagues analyzed the biological characterization of a series of 113 multifocal/multicentric breast cancers (8) which were diagnosed over a 5-year period. The expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors, Ki-67 proliferative index, expression of HER2 and tumor grading were prospectively determined in each tumor focus, and mismatches among foci were recorded. Mismatches in ER status were present in 5 (4.4%) cases and PgR in 18 (15.9%) cases. Mismatches in tumor grading were present in 21 cases (18.6%), proliferative index (Ki-67) in 17 (15%) cases and HER2 status in 11 (9.7%) cases. Interestingly, this heterogeneity among foci has led to 14 (12.4%) patients receiving different adjuvant treatments compared with what would have been indicated if we had only taken into account the biologic status of the primary tumor. This study therefore showed that differences in biological characteristics of multifocal/multicentric lesions play a crucial role in the adjuvant treatment decision making process. In this study, we will concentrate on a larger series of patients with multifocal invasive ductal breast cancer lesions. We aim at: 1. Evaluating the incidence of multifocality according to the different breast cancer molecular subtypes (ER-/HER2-, HER2+, ER+/HER2-). 2. Evaluating the incidence of multifocality in patients with hereditary breast cancer disease (presence of germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations). Moreover, we would like to investigate if multifocal lesions with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations exhibit a characteristic combination of substitution mutation signatures and a distinctive profile of deletions as demonstrated recently by Nik-Zainal and colleagues (9). 3. Correlating multifocality with clinical information in order to define its influence on patients’ survival (DFS and OS). 4. Carrying high coverage targeted gene sequencing of driver cancer genes and genes whose mutation is of therapeutic importance in order to compare clinically-relevant genetic differences between several multifocal breast cancer lesions. 5. Evaluating the impact of the distance between the different lesions on the clinical outcome but also on the genetic differences. 6. Comparing gene expression patterns between several multifocal breast cancer lesions and correlate them with the results of the targeted genes screen. 7. Characterizing the genomic and transcriptomic status of cancer related genes in metastatic lesions (local recurrence, positive lymph node or distant metastatic sites) from the same multifocal invasive ductal breast cancer patients in order to evaluate the consequence of genomic and transcriptomic heterogeneity of multifocal lesions on metastatic lesions. Multiple (multifocal/multicentric) breast carcinomas, especially when occurring in the same breast, represent a real challenge for both pathologists and clinicians in terms of identifying the cellular origin and the best therapeutic choice. This project has the potential to identify genetic/transcriptomic differences existing between several lesions constituting multifocal breast cancers, which in the routine clinical practice are usually considered to be homogeneous among them. We foresee validating significant results in a larger series of patients and this, in turn, could have a remarkable impact on the treatment and clinical management of multifocal breast cancers. Indeed, we hope to provide some evidence whether or not each focus matters in multifocal and multicentric breast cancer to define the adequate therapeutic approach, especially in the context of targeted therapies. The work to be done at Sanger will be target gene screen pooling of 1400 samples.

  Study EGAS00001000407

• Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study - Maternal Glycemia and Birthweight GEI Study

  Low and high birth weight are not only major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality, but epidemiological data have established an association between birth weight and later life risk of adult metabolic diseases. Fetal growth is determined by complex interactions between fetal genes and the maternal uterine environment. Subtle or overt variation in maternal glucose tolerance, which is, in part, genetically determined, is related to fetal size at birth. Moreover, new emerging data suggest that genetic variation in the fetus can impact maternal metabolism (e.g., blood pressure and glucose tolerance). Given the above, we are addressing the hypothesis that, during pregnancy, gene-environment interactions in the context of the maternal-fetal unit impact fetal size at birth and maternal metabolism. Genes that control fetal growth or maternal metabolism during pregnancy are largely unknown, so the first step to address our hypothesis will be to identify genetic variation that impacts fetal growth and maternal metabolism and to determine the interaction of that variation with the intrauterine and fetal environment. To accomplish this, we are performing genome wide association (GWA) mapping on a subset of ~37,000 DNA samples that were collected from mothers and their offspring as part of the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study. HAPO is a multicenter, international study in which high quality phenotypic data related to fetal growth and maternal glucose metabolism has been collected from 25,000 pregnant women of varied racial and socio-demographic backgrounds using standardized protocols that were uniform across centers. For these studies, we are genotyping 1,500 infants and their mothers of European descent, 1,250 Afro-Caribbean infants and mothers, 800 Hispanic (Mexican-American) infants and mothers, and 1200 Thai infants and mothers. Genotyping is being performed using the Illumina Human610 Quad (European ancestry participants), Human1M Duo (Afro-Caribbean and Hispanic participants), and Omni1-Quad_v1-0_B (Thai participants). The specific aims for the project are as follows: (1) To apply analytic approaches for conducting GWA mapping studies on quantitative phenotypes related to offspring size at birth (birth weight, ponderal index, head circumference and adiposity) allowing for other known influences such as gestational age, parity, and maternal weight gain. (2) To apply the above approaches to identify genetic variation that impacts maternal glucose tolerance at ~28 weeks of gestation (fasting glucose, glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test, and insulin sensitivity expressed as quantitative traits) allowing for other known influences such as maternal weight gain, parity and age. (3) To examine the interaction between maternal genes, the intrauterine environment, and fetal genes to identify interactions that modulate genetic regulation of size at birth and fetal genetic variation that impacts on maternal glucose tolerance. GWA mapping will provide initial evidence for association of specific SNPs with the quantitative traits outlined above. As low and high birth weight are not only major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality but have also been associated with increased risk of metabolic diseases in adults, identification of genes that regulate fetal growth and maternal metabolism will provide novel information about the pathways that regulate these processes as well as important insight into susceptibility genes for chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes. The Version 1 (v1) dbGaP release will include data only from the Hispanic study participants. The Version 2 (v2) dbGaP release will include data from the Hispanic and European ancestry study participants. The Version 3 (v3) dbGaP release will include data from the Afro-Caribbean, Hispanic and European ancestry participants. The Version 4 (v4) dbGaP release will include data from all participants (i.e., Afro-Caribbean, Hispanic, European ancestry, and Thai participants). This study is part of the Gene Environment Association Studies initiative (GENEVA, http://www.genevastudy.org) funded by the trans-NIH Genes, Environment, and Health Initiative (GEI). The overarching goal is to identify novel genetic factors that contribute to maternal metabolism and birthweight through large-scale genome-wide association studies of infants and their mothers at multiple international sites. Genotyping was performed at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and at CIDR of Johns Hopkins University, GENEVA genotyping centers. Data cleaning and harmonization was performed at the GEI-funded GENEVA Coordinating Center at the University of Washington.

  Study phs000096

• Characterization of individual foci of multicentric/multifocal breast cancer using targeted next generation sequencing

  Multifocality or multicentricity in breast cancer may be defined as the presence of two or more tumor foci within a single quadrant of the breast or within different quadrants of the same breast, respectively. This original classification of the breast cancer as multicentric or multifocal was based on the assumption that cancers arising in the same quadrant were more likely to arise from the same ductal structures than those occurring in separate areas of the breast. The problem with these definitions is that the ?quadrants? of the breast are arbitrary external designations, as no internal boundaries do exist. This project will therefore focus both on synchronous multifocal and multicentric tumors. The incidence of multifocal and multicentric breast cancers was reported to be between 13 and 75% depending on the definition used, the extent of the pathologic sampling of the breast and whether in situ disease is considered evidence of multicentricity (1). Although this incidence is variable, those figures show that it is a frequent phenomenon. Multiple (multifocal/multicentric) breast carcinomas, especially when occurring in the same breast, represent a real challenge for both pathologists and clinicians in terms of identifying the cellular origin and the best therapeutic management of the cancer. Multifocality or multicentricity has been associated with a number of more aggressive features including an increased rate of regional lymph node metastases and adverse patient outcome when compared with unifocal tumors (2-3), and a possible increased risk of local recurrence following breast conserving surgery (4). For the moment, the literature is divided on whether there is a corresponding impact on survival outcomes. Today, the current convention to stage and to treat multifocal and multicentric tumors is the classical tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging guidelines with which tumor size is assessed by the largest tumor focus without taking other foci of disease into consideration. If some papers, as the recent one from Lynch and colleagues, support the current staging convention (3), others, however, as Boyages et al. suggested that aggregate size and not the size of the largest lesion should be considered in order to refine the prognostic assessment of those tumors (5). On the top of that, the question whether multifocal/multicentric carcinomas are due to the spread of a single carcinoma throughout the breast or is due to multiple carcinomas arising simultaneously has been a matter of debate. Some studies suggested that multifocal breast cancer may result from either intramammary spread from a single primary tumor or multiple synchronous primary tumors; whereas others suggest that multiple breast carcinomas always arise from the same clone (6-8). Recently, Pietri and colleagues analyzed the biological characterization of a series of 113 multifocal/multicentric breast cancers (8) which were diagnosed over a 5-year period. The expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors, Ki-67 proliferative index, expression of HER2 and tumor grading were prospectively determined in each tumor focus, and mismatches among foci were recorded. Mismatches in ER status were present in 5 (4.4%) cases and PgR in 18 (15.9%) cases. Mismatches in tumor grading were present in 21 cases (18.6%), proliferative index (Ki-67) in 17 (15%) cases and HER2 status in 11 (9.7%) cases. Interestingly, this heterogeneity among foci has led to 14 (12.4%) patients receiving different adjuvant treatments compared with what would have been indicated if we had only taken into account the biologic status of the primary tumor. This study therefore showed that differences in biological characteristics of multifocal/multicentric lesions play a crucial role in the adjuvant treatment decision making process. In this study, we will concentrate on a larger series of patients with multifocal invasive ductal breast cancer lesions. We aim at: 1. Evaluating the incidence of multifocality according to the different breast cancer molecular subtypes (ER-/HER2-, HER2+, ER+/HER2-). 2. Evaluating the incidence of multifocality in patients with hereditary breast cancer disease (presence of germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations). Moreover, we would like to investigate if multifocal lesions with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations exhibit a characteristic combination of substitution mutation signatures and a distinctive profile of deletions as demonstrated recently by Nik-Zainal and colleagues (9). 3. Correlating multifocality with clinical information in order to define its influence on patients? survival (DFS and OS). 4. Carrying high coverage targeted gene sequencing of driver cancer genes and genes whose mutation is of therapeutic importance in order to compare clinically-relevant genetic differences between several multifocal breast cancer lesions. 5. Evaluating the impact of the distance between the different lesions on the clinical outcome but also on the genetic differences. 6. Comparing gene expression patterns between several multifocal breast cancer lesions and correlate them with the results of the targeted genes screen. 7. Characterizing the genomic and transcriptomic status of cancer related genes in metastatic lesions (local recurrence, positive lymph node or distant metastatic sites) from the same multifocal invasive ductal breast cancer patients in order to evaluate the consequence of genomic and transcriptomic heterogeneity of multifocal lesions on metastatic lesions. Multiple (multifocal/multicentric) breast carcinomas, especially when occurring in the same breast, represent a real challenge for both pathologists and clinicians in terms of identifying the cellular origin and the best therapeutic choice. This project has the potential to identify genetic/transcriptomic differences existing between several lesions constituting multifocal breast cancers, which in the routine clinical practice are usually considered to be homogeneous among them. We foresee validating significant results in a larger series of patients and this, in turn, could have a remarkable impact on the treatment and clinical management of multifocal breast cancers. Indeed, we hope to provide some evidence whether or not each focus matters in multifocal and multicentric breast cancer to define the adequate therapeutic approach, especially in the context of targeted therapies. The work to be done at Sanger will be target gene screen pooling of 1400 samples.

  Dataset EGAD00001000624

• HBCC Postmortem Psychiatric Molecular Studies

  This postmortem study examines molecular, genetic and epigenetic signatures in the brains of hundreds of subjects with or without mental disorders conducted by the DIRP NIMH Human Brain Collection Core (HBCC). The brain tissues are obtained under protocols approved by the CNS IRB (NCT00001260), with the permission of the next-of-kin (NOK) through the Offices of the Chief Medical Examiners (MEOs) in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Central Virginia. Additional samples were obtained from the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank (contracts NO1-HD-4-3368 and NO1-HD-4-3383) (http://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/btbank/ and the Stanley Medical Research Institute: http://www.stanleyresearch.org/brain-research/). Clinical characterization, neuropathological screening, toxicological analyses, and dissections of various brain regions were performed as previously described (Lipska et al. 2006; PMID: 16997002). All patients met DSM-IV criteria for a lifetime Axis I diagnosis of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and major depression. Controls had no history of psychiatric diagnoses or addictions. SNP array: Array-based genotyping was performed on most samples published in this collection. The number of SNPs assayed via Illumina chips varied between 650,000 and 5 Million. Cerebellar tissue was generally used for genotyping studies. # Diagnosis SNP Array 1 Anxiety Disorder 1 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder 13 3 Bipolar Disorder 114 4 Control 387 5 Eating Disorder (ED) 2 6 Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) 186 7 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 5 8 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 0 9 Schizophrenia 220 10 Other 7 11 Tic Disorder 3 12 Undetermined 1 13 Williams Syndrome 2 Table: Numbers of samples in each diagnostic category. DNA extraction: 45-80 mg of cerebellar tissue was pulverized for DNA extractions. The QIAamp DNA mini Kit (Qiagen) method was employed for tissue DNA extraction. The tissue was initially lysed using Tissue Lyser (Qiagen) and extractions were accomplished according to manufacturer's protocol. The DNA was captured in 500uL elution buffer. The concentrations were measured using Thermo Scientific's NanoDrop 1000/NanoDrop ONE. The mean yield was 128.85 uG (+/- 79.48), the mean ratio of 260/280 was 1.87 (+/- 0.105), and the mean ratio of 260/230 was 2.48 (+/-1.75). Genotyping methods: Three types of Illumina Beadarray chips were used: HumanHap650Y, Human1M-Duo, and HumanOmni5M-Quad (San Diego, California). The genotyping was done according to the manufacturer's protocol (Illumina Proprietary, Catalog # WG-901-5003, Part # 15025910 Rev.A, June 2011). Approximately, 400ng DNA was used and each DNA sample was QC tested for 260/280 ratio by nanodrop and DNA band intactness on 2% agarose gel. Briefly, the samples were whole-genome amplified, fragmented, precipitated and resuspended in appropriate hybridization buffer. Denatured samples were hybridized on prepared Bead Array Chips. After hybridization, the Bead Chip oligonucleotides were extended by a single fluorescent labeled base, which was detected by fluorescence imaging with an Illumina Bead Array Reader, iScan. Normalized bead intensity data obtained for each sample were loaded into the Illumina Genome Studio (Illumina, v.2.0.3) with cluster position files provided by Illumina, and fluorescence intensities were converted into SNP genotypes. Microarray: We generated RNA expression data using array technology for psychiatric subjects compared to non-psychiatric subjects as controls. We used tissues from three different brain regions i.e. hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and dura mater for a large cohort of individuals (total number 552 subjects for hippocampus, 800 for DLPFC and 146 for dura). Total RNA was extracted from ~100 mg of tissue using the RNeasy kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer's protocol. RNA quality and quantity were examined using the Bioanalyzer (Agilent, Inc) and NanoDrop (Thermo Scientific, Inc), respectively. Samples with RNA integrity number (RIN) # Diagnosis DLPFC Hippo Dura 1 Anxiety Disorder 1 0 0 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder 14 6 0 3 Bipolar Disorder 90 49 0 4 Control 336 270 75 5 Eating Disorder (ED) 2 1 0 6 Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) 144 87 0 7 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 5 3 0 8 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 6 0 0 9 Schizophrenia 192 125 71 10 Other 5 6 0 11 Tic Disorder 3 3 0 12 Undetermined 1 1 0 13 Williams Syndrome 2 1 0 Table: Numbers of samples in each diagnostic category. RNA-Seq of Dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex: All brains were collected and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortical (DLPFC) samples dissected at the HBCC, DIRP, NIMH. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) specimens were dissected from right or left hemisphere of frozen coronal slabs. The study was funded by the DIRP, NIMH under contract (#HHSN 271201400099C) with Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,1106402 One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 3500, New York NY 10029-6574. RNA extraction, library preparation and sequencing were performed under contract at Icahn School of Medicine. The Common Mind Consortium (CMC) provided project management support. RNA isolation: Total RNA from 468 HBCC samples was isolated from approximately 100 mg homogenized tissue from each sample by TRIzol/chloroform extraction and purification with the Qiagen RNeasy kit (Cat#74106) according to manufacturer's protocol. Samples were processed in randomized batches of 12. The order of extraction for schizophrenia, bipolar, and MDD disorders and control samples was assigned randomly with respect to diagnosis and all other sample characteristics. The mean total RNA yield was 24.2 ug (+/- 9.0). The RNA Integrity Number (RIN) was determined by 4200 Agilent TapeStation System. Samples with RIN DLPFC RNA-Seq quantified expression data are provided for 364 samples. Data were generated, QC'd, processed and quantified as follows: RNA library preparation and sequencing: All samples submitted to the New York Genome Center for RNAseq were prepared for sequencing in randomized batches of 94. The sequencing libraries were prepared using the KAPA Stranded RNAseq Kit with RiboErase (KAPA Biosystems). rRNA was depleted from 1ug of RNA using the KAPA RiboErase protocol that is integrated into the KAPA Stranded RNAseq Kit. The insert size and DNA concentration of the sequencing library was determined on Fragment Analyzer Automated CE System (Advanced Analytical) and Quant-iT PicoGreen (ThermoFisher) respectively. Schizophrenia Bipolar Control 89 65 210 Table: Numbers of samples in each diagnostic category. RNA-Seq of subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC): All the 200 post-mortem brain samples (61 controls; 39 bipolar disorder; 46 schizophrenia; 54 major depressive disorder) were collected by the HBCC, DIRP, NIMH. RNA Extraction and Quality Assessment: Tissue from sgACC was pulverized and stored at -80°C. Total RNA was extracted from 50-80 mg of the tissue using QIAGEN RNeasy Lipid Tissue Mini Kit (QIAGEN, Cat. # 74804) with DNase treatment (QIAGEN, Cat. # 79254). The RNA Integrity Number (RIN) for each sample was assessed with high-resolution capillary electrophoresis on the Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100 (Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, California). The concentration of RNA and their 260/280 ratio (2.1+/- 0.032 SD) were determined with NanoDrop (Thermo Scientific). RNA sequencing: Stranded RNA-Seq libraries were constructed after rRNA depletion using Ribo-Zero GOLD (Illumina). RNA sequencing was performed at National Institute of Health Intramural Sequencing Center (NISC). Schizophrenia Bipolar Control MDD 46 39 61 54 Table: Numbers of samples in each diagnostic category. Whole Genome Sequencing: All brains were collected and dissected at the HBCC, DIRP, NIMH. This study generates whole genome sequencing data using sequencing of DNA in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) or cerebellum of 443 individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder and non-psychiatric controls. The study was funded by the DIRP, NIMH under contract (#HHSN 271201400099C) with Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,1106402 One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 3500, New York NY 10029-6574. DNA extraction, library preparation and sequencing were performed under contract at Icahn School of Medicine. The Common Mind Consortium (CMC) provided project management support. All specimens were dissected from right or left hemisphere of frozen coronal slabs. DNA Library Preparation and Sequencing: All samples submitted to the New York Genome Center for WGS were prepared for sequencing in randomized batches of 95. The sequencing libraries were prepared using the Illumina PCR-free DNA sample preparation Kit. The insert size and DNA concentration of the sequencing library was determined on Fragment Analyzer Automated CE System (Advanced Analytical) and Quant-iT PicoGreen (ThermoFisher) respectively. A quantitative PCR assay (KAPA), with primers specific to the adapter sequence, was used to determine the yield and efficiency of the adaptor ligation process. Performed on the Illumina HiSeqX with 30X coverage. Schizophrenia Bipolar Control 115 78 230 Table: Numbers of samples in each diagnostic category. ChIP-Seq: All brains were collected and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortical (DLPFC) samples dissected at the HBCC, DIRP, NIMH. This study generates epigenetic data using sequencing of DNA after chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-Seq) for marks H3K4me3 and H3K27ac in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) specimens were dissected from right or left hemisphere of frozen coronal slabs. The study was funded by the DIRP, NIMH under contract (#HHSN 271201400099C) with Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,1106402 One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 3500, New York NY 10029,6574. Chromatin precipitation, library preparation and sequencing were performed under contract at Icahn School of Medicine. The Common Mind Consortium (CMC) provided project management support. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays for histone marks H3K4me3 and H3K27ac were carried out using Native ChIP. Micrococcal Nuclease (MNase) (Sigma, N3755) treatment was used to digest chromatin into mononucleosomes. The following antibodies were used for chromatin pull-down: anti-H3K4me3 (Cell Signaling, Cat# 9751BC, lot 7) and anti-H3K27ac (Active Motif, Cat# 39133, Lot # 31814008). Histone modification-enriched genomic DNA fragments were recovered using Protein A/G magnetic beads (Thermo Scientific, 88803-88938 or Millipore 16-663), and then washed, eluted, and treated with RNAse A and proteinase K. Final ChIP DNA products were isolated using phenol-chloroform extraction followed by ethanol precipitation. The efficiency of each ChIP assay was validated using Qubit concentration measurement and qPCR for positive (GRIN2B, DARPP32) and negative (HBB) control genomic regions. Only ChIP assays that passed quality control were further processed for library preparation and sequencing; this included ChIP DNA that was not detectable on Qubit but showed a good signal and expected enrichment patterns in qPCR. HISTONE_MARK H3K27ac H3K4me3 Input Bipolar 56 4 7 Control 158 11 24 Schizophrenia 79 11 12 Table: Numbers of individuals in each assay grouped by histone mark or input.Long-Read Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) Cohort Description: Brain specimens were obtained from the Human Brain Collection Core (HBCC), part of the NIH NeuroBioBank. Samples were collected under protocols approved by the NIH CNS Institutional Review Board (IRB) (NCT03092687), with informed consent from next-of-kin (NOK). Collection was coordinated through the Offices of the Chief Medical Examiners (MEOs) in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and Central Virginia. Clinical metadata and documentation are publicly available via the NIMH Data Archive (NDA) (Collection #3151) https://nda.nih.gov/edit_collection.html?id=3151 Eligibility Criteria No clinical diagnosis of major neuropsychiatric or neurodegenerative diseaseNo diagnosis of cognitive impairment during life All individuals were confirmed to be neurologically normal at time of deathDemographics Initial cohort size: 155 individuals Ancestry: All individuals self-identified as African or African-admixed Mean age at death: 44.2 years (range: 18–85 years) Sex distribution: 36.4% femaleSample Processing: Frozen frontal cortex tissue was dissected and processed according to the public protocol: https://www.protocols.io/view/processing-human-frontal-cortex-brain-tissue-for-p-kxygxzmmov8j/v2. High-molecular-weight DNA was extracted and libraries were prepared using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) LSK-114 kit. Sequencing was performed using ONT PromethION flow cells (R10.4.1 chemistry) Data Processing and Quality Control: Basecalling: Conducted using Guppy v6.38 Read Alignment: Reads were aligned to the GRCh38 reference genome using minimap2 Sample Identity Verification: Sample identity was validated by comparing ONT-derived SNP calls with matched short-read WGS genotypes to ensure concordance and prevent sample swaps Variant Calling and Phasing: Reads were base-called with Guppy v6.38. Reads were aligned to GRCh38 using minimap2. We verified sample identity by cross-checking ONT SNV calls with the existing short-read WGS genotypes, confirming no sample switches. The napu pipeline (https://github.com/nanoporegenomics/napu_wf) produced; haplotype-resolved assemblies, joint small-variant (SNV/indel) calls, and multi-caller structural-variant sets, all reported on GRCh38 and phased where possible. Raw signal data were basecalled to obtain 5-methyl-cytosine (5mC) status; methylation tags were added to the phased BAM files. Genome-wide methylation summaries are provided in BED format.Dataset Filtering and Exclusions: All 155 samples underwent sequencing and SNP-based ancestry inference 8 samples were excluded due to ancestry inconsistent with African or African-admixed background 1 sample was excluded due to insufficient sequencing quality Final Sample Set: 146 high-quality samples from individuals of African or African-admixed ancestry were retained for downstream analyses See PMID: 39764002 for further analysis detailsDiagnosis#SamplesControl155Table: Diagnostic Summary.Note: The data derived from HBCC resources were removed from dbGAP and are now available in the NIMH Data Archive (NDA). They include genotypes, short read whole genome sequencing (WGS), epigenetics (DNA methylation, ChIP-seq for histones), RNA expression (qPCR, microarray, RNA-seq, single nucleus RNA-seq) of various brain regions in cases with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorders and normative controls. Please access our NDA collection (https://nda.nih.gov/edit_collection.html?id=3151) for further detail.

  Study phs000979

• eMERGE: Northwestern (NUgene) WGS

  The NUgene Project is a biorepository with longitudinal medical information from participating patients at Northwestern Medicine affiliated hospitals and outpatient clinics. Participants' DNA samples are coupled with data from a self-reported questionnaire (2 versions were used, 1 before and 1 after February 2006, both are included) 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 3 million patients. NUgene has broad access to participant data for all outpatient visits as well as inpatient data via a consolidated enterprise 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. The electronic MedicalRecords and Genomics (eMERGE) Network is a consortium of 9 clinical sites with EMR linked DNA biobanks, including Northwestern University and its NUgene biobank, funded by the NHGRI (National Human Genome Research Institute) 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 100,000 individuals using EMR-derived phenotypes and DNA from linked biorepositories. Using electronic phenotyping methods, the consortium has been and is using DNA samples from all participating sites to explore the genetic determinants of approximately 80 phenotypes, including both diseases and traits, for which the electronic phenotyping algorithms have or are being published on PheKB.org. Thus, for the eMERGE network, ~900 NUgene subjects were selected, as described in the study inclusion/exclusion criteria section below, to be genotyped using whole genome sequencing (WGS), for use in the eMERGE network as eMERGE subjects. The criteria used below were selected so that these subjects will likely meet the criteria to be cases and/or controls, of diverse races and/or ethnicities, for at least 1 of the ~80 phenotypes being studied within eMERGE, and could be recontacted for future research if needed.

  Study phs001191

• Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE): Causal Variants Across the Life Course (CALiCo): Strong Heart Study (SHS) and Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS)

  The SHS is a study of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors among American Indian men and women. Using standardized methodology, it was designed to estimate cardiovascular disease mortality and morbidity and the prevalence of known and suspected cardiovascular disease risk factors and to assess the significance of these risk factors in a longitudinal analysis. The study included 13 American Indian tribes and communities in three geographic areas: an area near Phoenix, Arizona, the southwestern area of Oklahoma, and western and central North and South Dakota. The SHS included three components: The first was a survey to determine cardiovascular disease mortality rates from 1984 to 1994 among tribal members aged 35-74 years of age residing in the 3 study areas (the community mortality study). The second was the clinical examination of 4,500 tribal members aged 45-74. The SHS has completed three clinical examinations of the original Cohort (Phase I: 1989-1991; Phase II: 1993-1995; Phase III: 1998- 1999, respectively). The third component is the morbidity and mortality (M&M) surveillance of these 4,500 participants. Yearly SHS surveillance has only 0.2% loss to follow-up. All deaths and all nonfatal CVD events are classified by standardized criteria, including details of stroke and HF. The Strong Heart Family Study (SHFS) is a genetic epidemiological study designed to investigate the heritability of CVD and its risk factors and to localize genes that contribute to CVD risk in American Indians. SHFS participants include 3,838 family members that were >/=15 years old, and ascertained through sibships of the original SHS, from 94 extended (large, multigenerational) families. Exams have occurred in a pilot Phase III (1998-1999, 900 SHFS participants), in Phase IV (2001-2003), and Phase V (2006-2009). SHFS morbidity and mortality surveillance has occurred throughout the study phases, with 0.3% lost to follow-up. Genetic data includes complete pedigree information, DNA samples from all family members, a 10cM-spaced microsatellite map used for IBD estimation and to perform linkage analysis, genotypes for more than 12,000 SNPs in candidate regions, and genotypes from commercially available SNP assays.

  Study phs000580

• NHLBI GO-ESP: Family Studies (Mendelian Lipid Disorders)

  The NHLBI "Grand Opportunity" Exome Sequencing Project (GO-ESP), a signature project of the NHLBI Recovery Act investment, was designed to identify genetic variants in coding regions (exons) of the human genome (the "exome") that are associated with heart, lung and blood diseases. These and related diseases that are of high impact to public health and individuals from diverse racial and ethnic groups will be studied. These data may help researchers understand the causes of disease, contributing to better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, as well as determine whether to tailor prevention and treatments to specific populations. This could lead to more effective treatments and reduce the likelihood of side effects. GO-ESP is comprised of five collaborative components: 3 cohort consortia - HeartGO, LungGO, and WHISP - and 2 sequencing centers - BroadGO and SeattleGO. In this study, we seek to identify the genetic cause of two monogenic lipid disorders-severe hypercholesterolemia and familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia. Monogenic severe hypercholesterolemia is clinically characterized by elevated total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in plasma. Elevated LDL-cholesterol levels lead to excessive deposition of cholesterol in arterial walls, which eventually results in accelerated atherosclerosis and premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Monogenic hypercholesterolemia has a prevalence of approximately one in 500 individuals, making it one of the most common inherited disorders. To date, mutations in the LDL receptor (LDLR) ligand-binding domains of APOB and PCSK9 have been shown to cause hypercholesterolemia. While mutations in these genes can explain a large percentage of clinically diagnosed patients, the underlying molecular determinant in a substantial fraction of patients remains unknown. Familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia (low HDL-C) is defined by an HDL-C below the age- and sex- specific 10th percentile. ABCA1, LCAT, and APOA1 are known to cause familial hypoalphalipoproteinemia. We hypothesize that: (1) additional novel genes responsible for Mendelian forms of low HDL-C exist; and (2) the causal gene and mutation(s) in each family may be discovered with exome analysis of just a few affected individuals in each pedigree.

  Study phs000587

• Center Common Disease Genomics [CCDG] - CVD - TAICHI

  The TaiChi consortium consists of 6 studies that collaborated initially in a large scale metabochip study, and became an ongoing consortium for studies of cardiometabolic disease in the Chinese population in Taiwan. The six studies included the following: 1) SAPPHIRe (Stanford-Asian Pacific Program in Hypertension and Insulin Resistance), a family based study established in 1995 with an initial goal of identifying major genetic loci underlying hypertension and insulin resistance in East Asian populations, with Taiwan subjects participating in the TaiChi consortium; 2) TCAGEN (Taiwan Coronary Artery Disease GENetic), a cohort study that the enrolled patients undergoing coronary angiography or percutaneous intervention at the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) in the setting of either stable angina pectoris or prior myocardial infarction; 3) TACT (TAiwan Coronary and Transcatheter intervention), a cohort study enrolled patients with angina pectoris and objective documentation of myocardial ischemia who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography and/or revascularization any time after October 2000 at the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) (similar to TCAGEN but recruitment was independent of TCAGEN); 4) Taiwan DRAGON (Taiwan Diabetes and RelAted Genetic COmplicatioN), a cohort study of Type 2 diabetes at Taichung Veterans General Hospital (Taichung VGH) in Taiwan, with participants including individuals with either newly diagnosed or established diabetes (subjects with hyperglycemia who did not meet diagnostic criteria for Type 2 DM were not included); 5) TCAD (Taichung CAD study), includes patients with a variety of cardiovascular diseases who received care at the Taichung Veterans General Hospital (Taichung VGH), i.e. specifically individuals who were hospitalized for diagnostic and interventional coronary angiography examinations and treatment; 6) TUDR (Taiwan US Diabetic Retinopathy) enrolled subjects with Type 2 diabetes who received care at Taichung Veteran General Hospital (Taichung VGH), and a small number of subjects from Taipei Tri-Service General Hospital (TSGH); TUDR subjects underwent a complete ophthalmic and fundus examination to carefully document the presence and extent of retinopathy. From these 6 studies, subjects were selected based on completeness of standard metabolic phenotyping and knowledge of cardiac disease status (early onset coronary disease), to undergo whole genome sequencing at the Broad.

  Study phs001487

• NHLBI GO-ESP: Early-Onset Myocardial Infarction (Broad EOMI)

  The NHLBI "Grand Opportunity" Exome Sequencing Project (GO-ESP), a signature project of the NHLBI Recovery Act investment, was designed to identify genetic variants in coding regions (exons) of the human genome (the "exome") that are associated with heart, lung and blood diseases. These and related diseases that are of high impact to public health and individuals from diverse racial and ethnic groups will be studied. These data may help researchers understand the causes of disease, contributing to better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, as well as determine whether to tailor prevention and treatments to specific populations. This could lead to more effective treatments and reduce the likelihood of side effects. GO-ESP is comprised of five collaborative components: 3 cohort consortia - HeartGO, LungGO, and WHISP - and 2 sequencing centers - BroadGO and SeattleGO. In the Grand Opportunities Exome Sequencing Program Early MI Project (GO ESP - EOMI), we are sequencing cases with extremely early-onset MI drawn from 8 cohorts. These cohorts include five hospital or community-based studies that ascertained individuals based on MI status. These include PennCATH, Cleveland Clinic Genebank, Massachusetts General Hospital Premature Coronary Artery Disease Study (MGH-PCAD), Heart Attack Risk in Puget Sound (HARPS), and Translational Research Investigating Underlying Disparities in Myocardial Infarction Patients' Health Status (TRIUMPH). Cases were selected based on MI occurring in men aged ≤50 years and women aged ≤60 years. In addition, early-MI cases are being drawn from three population-cohort studies including the Framingham Heart Study, the Women's Health Initiative, and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. MI-free controls are being drawn from five population-based cohort studies including the Framingham Heart Study, the Women's Health Initiative, Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, Cardiovascular Health Study, and the Jackson Heart Study. Controls were selected based on two factors: (1) highest predicted risk for MI based on Framingham risk score; and (2) absence of prevalent or incident MI despite a high predicted risk.

  Study phs000279

• NHLBI GO-ESP: Heart Cohorts Exome Sequencing Project (Ischemic Stroke Genetic Study, ISGS)

  The NHLBI "Grand Opportunity" Exome Sequencing Project (GO-ESP), a signature project of the NHLBI Recovery Act investment, was designed to identify genetic variants in coding regions (exons) of the human genome (the "exome") that are associated with heart, lung and blood diseases. These and related diseases that are of high impact to public health and individuals from diverse racial and ethnic groups will be studied. These data may help researchers understand the causes of disease, contributing to better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, as well as determine whether to tailor prevention and treatments to specific populations. This could lead to more effective treatments and reduce the likelihood of side effects. GO-ESP is comprised of five collaborative components: 3 cohort consortia - HeartGO, LungGO, and WHISP - and 2 sequencing centers - BroadGO and SeattleGO. The Ischemic Stroke Genetics Study (ISGS) is a study of newly onset cases (~600) with ischemic stroke (a stroke due to sudden interruption of blood flow to a part of the brain) compared with sex- and age-matched non-stroke participants. The study was conducted to determine the genes and their variants that contribute to an individual's risk of developing an ischemic stroke. The coordination of the recruitment and flow of the samples occurred at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, under the direction of James F. Meschia, MD. The University of Virginia (Stephen S. Rich, PhD) served as the analytic site for the genetic data. All GWAS data on ISGS participants have been deposited into dbGaP. As part of the NHLBI Exome Sequencing Project, DNA from a subset of ISGS participants will undergo exome sequencing. For the NHLBI ESP, a subset of 92 individuals with lacunar (small vessel) or atherosclerotic (large vessel) TOAST subtypes were selected from among all ISGS participants, excluding those individuals with TOAST subtypes of stroke of other etiology or of stroke with undetermined etiology. All 92 samples pass initial quality control metrics and 89 samples completed exome sequencing. A total of 75 participants with appropriate consent and variant calls had their genetic and phenotypic data deposited into dbGaP.

  Study phs000546

• NHLBI GO-ESP: Lung Cohorts Exome Sequencing Project (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension)

  The NHLBI "Grand Opportunity" Exome Sequencing Project (GO-ESP), a signature project of the NHLBI Recovery Act investment, was designed to identify genetic variants in coding regions (exons) of the human genome (the "exome") that are associated with heart, lung and blood diseases. These and related diseases that are of high impact to public health and individuals from diverse racial and ethnic groups will be studied. These data may help researchers understand the causes of disease, contributing to better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, as well as determine whether to tailor prevention and treatments to specific populations. This could lead to more effective treatments and reduce the likelihood of side effects. GO-ESP is comprised of five collaborative components: 3 cohort consortia - HeartGO, LungGO, and WHISP - and 2 sequencing centers - BroadGO and SeattleGO. The syndrome of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pulmonary disease that carries very high morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a category of PH (WHO Group 1) that includes several entities (idiopathic or heritable PAH, and PAH associated with other diseases such as connective tissue diseases including scleroderma-associated PAH) and carries a dismal prognosis, in particular when it relates to scleroderma-associated PAH (median survival of about 4 years). It is believed that the severity of structural changes involving the pulmonary vasculature and right ventricular failure are genetically determined. The 'Genomics and Genetics of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension' study at Johns Hopkins University aims to identify genetic determinants associated with risk of PAH in a cohort of European American and African American participants with and without PAH. The study also focuses on patients with scleroderma, who are further stratified according to those who have or do not have PAH. The broad goals of the Lung GO/ESP-GO falls into two general categories: (i) discovery of all variants (i.e., common and rare) in all protein-coding regions of the human genome (i.e., the exome) conferring risk to complex pulmonary diseases including PAH. The Johns Hopkins University PAH cohort offers a unique opportunity to elucidate genetic variants that cause PAH.

  Study phs000290

• A Phase I/II Trial of Sirolimus (Rapamune®) and Cyclosporine in Patients with Refractory Aplastic Anemia

  The most successful treatment for aplastic anemia is bone marrow transplantation. However, few patients are eligible for this procedure. For others, treatment usually consists of immunosuppressive agents, such as antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine. Unfortunately, even with immunosuppressive therapy, relapse is common. New combinations of medications may offer alternative and more effective treatment options. Sirolimus and cyclosporine are two drugs routinely used to suppress the immune system and prevent rejection in patients who have received organ transplants. While cyclosporine has been proven effective for treating aplastic anemia, sirolimus has not been tested for this disease. This study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of sirolimus in combination with cyclosporine for treating individuals with aplastic anemia that have not responded to other treatments. This study will last at least 6 months. Participants will first be screened to verify diagnosis of aplastic anemia. The screening will include a physical examination, blood test, bone marrow biopsy from the pelvic bone, and review of medications and medical history. Individuals who are eligible will then start the first treatment period. Participants will receive two medications: cyclosporine will be taken twice a day and sirolimus will be taken once a day. Depending on side effects, the dose of either drug may be temporarily stopped or lowered. On Day 1, blood will be drawn and females will undergo a pregnancy test. Subsequent study visits will occur weekly for the first month, every 2 weeks for 2 months, and then once a month for the remainder of the study. Each visit will include a physical examination, vital sign assessment, and review of side effects and medications. Blood tests will be performed weekly for the first 3 weeks, and then every 2 weeks. After 6 months of treatment, if a participant has shown improvements in disease status without major side effects, the treatment will continue. Over time the doses may be lowered. If a participant has not improved while on the study medication, treatment will stop at 6 months. Whenever treatment is discontinued, the participant will again undergo a physical examination, blood tests, and bone marrow biopsy.

  Study phs000695

• Identification of Somatic Changes in Tumors from Fanconi Anemia Patients

  This study focused on the identification of genomic signatures present in tumors from Fanconi anemia patients. Fanconi anemia is a rare hereditary disease caused by defects in DNA interstrand crosslink repair. The primary patient phenotypes are bone marrow failure and cancer predisposition. We concentrated on squamous cell carcinomas and used whole genome Illumina sequencing (22 tumor samples and 12 normal samples) , whole exome sequencing (37 tumor samples and 33 normal samples), PacBio long-read whole-genome (nine tumor and four normal samples),10X linked-read whole-genome sequencing, 10x single-cell/nuclei 3’ RNA sequencing (three tumor samples), 10x Visium spatial transcriptomics (one tumor sample), EPIC 850K methylation array (six samples), and bulk RNAseq (six tumor samples) to identify somatic changes present in tumors. The study aimed to identify changes that drive tumorigenesis in Fanconi anemia, give insight into the early development and aggressive nature of these tumors, and suggest therapeutic avenues for these patients. Another goal was to compare the genomic changes identified in tumors from Fanconi anemia patients with sporadic head and neck cancers. This study demonstrated that the tumors from Fanconi anemia individuals are generally not driven by HPV. Instead, they acquire mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor. The main characteristic of the tumors is the presence of a high number of structural variants in the form of small deletions, unbalanced translocations, and fold-back inversions, which often form complex rearrangements. These rearrangements result in amplifications and deletions of a multitude of oncogenes and tumor suppressors, respectively. The study also shows that lack of the Fanconi anemia DNA repair pathway leads to an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in a mouse model and in human samples that may influence the behavior of tumors in Fanconi anemia. Finally, comparing genomic changes in Fanconi anemia and sporadic tumors of the head and neck, we propose that the structural variants present in sporadic cancer result in a functional deficiency of the Fanconi anemia DNA repair pathway.

  Study phs002652

• NSIGHT North Carolina Newborn Exome Sequencing for Universal Screening (NC NEXUS)

  Since newborn screening (NBS) began in the 1960s, technological advances have resulted in its use in an increasing number of disorders. Recent developments in whole-genome sequencing and its simpler corollary, whole-exome sequencing (WES), now afford the opportunity to comprehensively define the variation within an individual's genome in a rapid and affordable manner. Many challenges arise with the clinical application of genome-scale sequencing and in deriving practical benefits to infants and children. Its utility in NBS has yet to be demonstrated and its application in the pediatric population requires special examination, not only for potential clinical benefits but also for the unique ethical challenges it presents. In this proposal, we outline a highly interdisciplinary approach to identify, confront, and overcome the major challenges that must be met in order to implement deep sequencing technology to enhance current newborn screening in a diverse pediatric population. Overarching Aim 1 will evaluate the utility of WES as a diagnostic tool to extend the utility of current NBS. Using diverse cohorts of infants and young children with known conditions identified through NBS, we will examine the sensitivity and specificity of WES. We will also utilize WES in cohorts of children with known conditions not currently screened as potential candidates for NBS in the future. Overarching Aim 2 will develop and assess a framework for analyzing WES in a clinically oriented framework based on principles of ethics and evidence-based medicine. We will develop strategies to guide clinicians, clinical laboratories, and patients/families in their decisions regarding the inevitable incidental findings that will be detected, in ways that respect the child and protect his/her future autonomy, while also respecting parental interests and rights. Overarching Aim 3 will explore ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) involved in informed decision making and develop best practices regarding the return of results after testing. We will develop novel decision support tools and evaluate their usefulness in parental decision making, and examine the burdens placed on clinicians as this new technology is deployed in the vulnerable and special population that are newborns and their families.

  Study phs002095

• Gabriella Miller Kids First (GMKF) Pediatric Research Program in Susceptibility to Ewing Sarcoma Based on Germline Risk and Familial History of Cancer

  Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is a deadly bone cancer that occurs in children and adolescents. Mounting evidence suggests that a genetic predisposition exists for this pediatric cancer, although the specific genetic contribution has yet to be identified. EWS has never been linked to a specific cancer predisposition syndrome, although several case reports have been published that describe siblings and cousins with EWS. Furthermore, neuroectodermal tumors appear to occur more commonly in families with EWS. The two consistent epidemiology findings in EWS include a very strong Caucasian predilection and increased rates of hernia in EWS patients and their family members. Finally, the role of genetic microsatellite repeats in EWS tumorigenesis has been recently described, and these GGAA microsatellites are polymorphic in repeat size and location across the genome. The study goals of this Kids First project include (1) To identify cancer predisposition genes in EWS trios increasing disease risk, (2) To identify genome-wide GGAA microsatellite repeats in EWS trios increasing disease risk, and (3) To identity de novo mutation and structural variant rates in EWS trios reflecting underlying DNA repair defects that increase disease risk. As part of the Kids First Common Fund initiative, this study proposal will further elucidate the genetic contribution to pediatric cancer development. Around 375 of these trios were selected for whole genome sequencing as part of the Gabriella Miller Kids First fund. The EWS trios have been collected as part of the Children's Oncology Group's AEPI10N5 Study ("Genetic Epidemiology of Ewing Sarcoma"), and each trio has associated phenotypic data including a detailed family history. We will interrogate the sequence data using our genomic analysis pipeline at the University of Utah and the Utah Science Technology and Research initiative's (USTAR) Center for Genetic Discovery. We will look for the genetic contribution to EWS and the sequence data with be shared in a repository designated by the Kids First Common Fund. The WGS of these ~375 EWS trios will help us to understand the genetic origins of a deadly childhood cancer and may lead to novel strategies for prevention and treatment.

  Study phs001228

• Integrating Genomic and Transcriptomic Data to Identify Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes

  Genetic factors play an important role in the etiology of both sporadic and familial breast cancer. Since 2007, common genetic variants in ~200 loci have been identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in relation to breast cancer risk. However, it is often difficult to translate GWAS findings to disease prevention and treatment since causal genes in the large majority of GWAS-identified loci are unknown. Furthermore, a large fraction of breast cancer heritability remains unexplained. Recent studies suggest that nearly 80% of disease heritability can be explained by genetic variants regulating gene expression. Herein, we propose three well-powered transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) to systematically investigate the association of breast cancer risk with gene expression across the transcriptome of African, Asian and European descendants. In Aim 1, we will perform RNA sequencing and high-density genotyping assays using normal breast tissue samples, and build race-specific gene expression prediction models using data from 1000 women of African, Asian and European descent. These models will be applied to the GWAS data generated from approximately 320,000 breast cancer patients and controls to impute gene expression for association analyses of predicted gene expression with risk of breast cancer overall, and by estrogen receptor and HER2 status. In Aim 2, we will select the top 50 genes identified in Aim 1 for in vitro functional assays to assess their influence on major cell functions related to cancer biology. In Aim 3, we will evaluate whether TWAS-identified genes may express differently in normal breast tissues and breast cancer tissues collected from African, Asian, and European descendants to assess whether these genes may contribute to racial differences in breast cancer risk by molecular subtypes. With strong methodology and a large sample size, we believe that this proposed study should be able to identify and characterize a large number of novel genes related to breast cancer risk. Uncovering breast cancer susceptibility genes will greatly improve the understanding of the genetic and biological basis for breast cancer and accelerate the translation of genetic findings to disease prevention and patient care.

  Study phs003535

• Identification of Modifiers of 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome in Whole Genome Sequence - CIDR

  This project aims to identify genetic modifiers of congenital heart disease (CHD), which occurs among 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS; also known as DiGeorge syndrome/velo-cardio-facial syndrome) patients. In contrast to the prevalence of ~0.8% in the general population, about 60%-70% of 22q11.2DS patients have CHD, of which most are conotruncal heart defects, making 22q11.2DS a very ideal model to study the genetic underpins of CHD. The chromosome 22q11.2 region is susceptible to meiotic chromosome rearrangements leading to hemizygous deletions, because there are large blocks of low copy repeats, termed LCR22s, that are dispersed in the region. Non-allelic homologous recombination during meiosis can lead to specific-sized deletions. Approximately 90% have a typical hemizygous 3 million base pair (Mb) deletion between LCR22-A and -D, while some have nested deletions between LCR22-A and B or LCR22-A and C. Our goal is to perform a case-control association study, in which cases have CHD, while controls have normal heart structures, all with 22q11.2DS. All individuals are unrelated and have been collected from collaborators in the US, Canada and Europe. All subjects received a clinical diagnosis of 22q11.2DS and signed informed consent to allow a blood sample to be collected for research. The DNA samples were de-identified in 2 steps to protect their privacy. We then determined deletion type using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). This information is provided for the great majority of subjects. We also obtained cardiac phenotype information from echocardiogram reports as well as reported race and ethnicity (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic information), which is required for the analysis. We will obtain 30X whole-genome sequence data from NIH CIDR. We will first annotate the sequence variants identified to uncover rare ( For genotype data, we will provide the raw fastq data from whole-genome sequencing as well as the called variants file in a VCF file. For phenotype data, we will provide the sample relationship files (ped files), CHD affection status, deletion type, and race.

  Study phs002514

• Columbia-Yale-Bilkent Study: Genetics Study of Essential Tremor

  This is a research development/planning grant application to initiate collaborative studies with investigators at Bilkent University in Turkey to study the genetics of Essential Tremor (ET). ET is one of the most common neurological diseases, with an estimated 7 million affected individuals in the United States. The most characteristic clinical feature of ET is a kinetic tremor in the hands or arms, which is mild early in the disease process. As the disease progresses, tremor becomes more severe and more anatomically widespread (e.g., head, trunk). Aside from tremor, patients with ET may also present with other motor features including gait ataxia. Non-motor features can include psychiatric manifestations, cognitive decline and dementia. Despite its extraordinarily high prevalence, the genetic causes of ET are largely unknown. We propose to develop a genetic study of ET focusing on consanguineous families in Turkey. Turkey with a population of about 70 million has a high rate of consanguineous marriages. The rate of consanguinity is estimated to be as much as 20-25% with approximately 70% of all consanguineous marriages involving first cousins. Studying the genetics of ET in the Turkish population, particularly in large consanguineous families, may identify novel genetic causes of ET that are also relevant to ET populations in the United States and worldwide. The proposed research has a high probability of success with our collaborators Drs Ozcelik and Tekinay's expertise in human genetics and functional studies together with an established resource of large consanguineous ET families. The specific aims of this planning grant are to: (1) further develop and solidify collaborations with the team in Bilkent and define the scope of the research that will be the focus of an R01 application, (2) assess the Bilkent team's resources and needs in order to successfully conduct the research, (3) implement cross-training between the United States and Turkish groups in the areas of human genetics, genetic epidemiology and risk factor assessment, genomics, clinical diagnosis, functional studies and personalized genomic medicine, and (4) conduct pilot studies to generate preliminary data necessary for an R01 application.

  Study phs001507

• Contextual and Health Behavior Effects on Epigenetic Aging Among Africans in the Family and Community Health Studies

  The Family and Community Health Studies (FACHS) is a longitudinal examination of health and health related behaviors in African American families. The original study cohort consisted of 867 African American parent-child dyads from Georgia and Iowa who were ascertained in cooperation with local school districts. The key inclusion criteria for participating in the study were the presence of an adolescent in the 5th grade (approximately 10-11 years old) who self-identified as African American (i.e., the Target) and the participation of a primary caretaker (PC) for the Target. The clinical and biological data included in this collection are from the Target (i.e., FACHS-T) portion of these studies of these African American parent-child dyads. The initial wave of behavioral assessments of the FACHS-T subjects was conducted in 1997-98 (Wave 1), with seven subsequent ascertainments, Wave 2 (1999–2000), Wave 3 (2002–2003), Wave 4 (2005–2006), Wave 5 (2007–2009), Wave 6 (2010–2011), Wave 7 (2014–2016) and Wave 8 (2019-2021). Full interviews were obtained at each wave of the study with the exact content of the wave varying as a function of developmental age. These interviews of the FACHS-T subjects collected a wide variety of data including the following: perceived discrimination; socioeconomic status; substance use exposure; common internalizing and externalizing disorders such as depression, substance use, and conduct disorder; school efficacy; peer support and perceived parenting practices. Biological sampling of the FACHS-T subjects was conducted at three time points. Saliva DNA was collected at Wave 5 while full phlebotomy was conducted at Waves 7 and 8. The genome wide methylation data listed below is derived from the whole blood DNA samples collected at Wave 8 and Wave 9. The genome wide genotyping data was determined using DNA from the Wave 7 samples. The clinical and biological data available herein are those from 309 FACHS-T subjects who participated in both Wave 7 and Wave 8, and who consented for deposition of their data in dbGAP.

  Study phs003723

• Kids First: Whole Genome Sequencing in Recessive Structural Brain Defects

  Almost 5% of all live births in the US (1:20 births) display an inborn defect, including both structural and functional/metabolic abnormalities. These are among the most common causes of Infant mortality in the developed world and underlie nearly half of hospitalizations in the first 3 years of life. Of the 35 major defects observable at birth from the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Surveillance Program (www.icbdsr.org, external link), about half involve the nervous system. Many of these result in lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders. Structural Brain Defects (SBDs) result from errors in development of the central nervous system, including defects in the forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain. Many SBDs arise as the consequence of a single gene bi-allelic mutation, and for this reason, occur more commonly in populations or communities with elevated consanguinity.Our lab has identified dozens of novel SBD genes using WES/WGS in consanguineous SBD families. Importantly, the genes that we and others have identified in these unique families are then used to advance diagnosis in pediatric SBDs around the world. We have built an enormous cohort of SBD families, including newly recruited families not yet studied genetically, and previous families that were negative for cause following WES analysis. Here we propose to collaborate with the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (X01) to have sequencing performed in individuals from a total of 200 families with genetically undiagnosed SBDs. The Gleeson Lab team of researchers is dedicated to the field of SBDs, with an outstanding track record of high-impact science, and a collaborative approach to discovery. We have 150 newly recruited families that we propose to study by WES by sequencing blood-derived DNA from two affected patients, or the parents and one affected patient. We also have 50 families in which WES was negative, which we propose to study in a multi-omics approach combining WGS from blood-derived DNA. We anticipate that this study will lead to the identification of many new molecular causes of SBDs, as well as uncover new genotype-phenotype correlations and new disease mechanisms, paving the way for future breakthroughs in detection, treatment and prevention.

  Study phs002590

• Security Overview

  Security Overview The European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA) houses consented human data under controlled access. Access decisions are handled by the relevant Data Access Committee (DAC), which autonomously manages requests through the DAC Portal. This document provides an overview of EGA’s practices in ensuring the security of data stored at EGA. As security is a prime concern of the EGA, the EGA is a member of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) Data Security work stream. The EGA contributes and helps develop the recommendations outlined the GA4GH Security Technology Infrastructure document, which defines guidelines, best practices, and standards for building and operating an infrastructure that promotes responsible data sharing in accordance with the GA4GH Privacy and Security Policy. Explore the EGA dataflow to gain deeper insights! Accessing data in the EGA involves several steps. First, users need to create an EGA account. Once logged in, they can request access to data controlled by a DAC through the EGA website (see documentation). The DAC oversees these requests through the DAC Portal, and if approved, grants the necessary permissions to the user's EGA account, allowing them to access and download all relevant data and metadata for the requested dataset(s). The key points of EGA security strategy are: 1 Regular Risk Assessment The EGA regularly identifies and assesses risk related to the following: Breach of confidentiality,Breach of privacy or autonomy,Malicious or accidental corruption or destruction of data archived at EGA,Disruption of services provided by the EGA. 2 Risk mitigation The EGA implements and maintains safeguards to minimise the risks identified above in accordance with the 6 control objectives listed in Appendix 1 and outlined in the GA4GH Security and Infrastructure document.If a breach is discovered, the EGA applies a defined protocol to minimise damage. 3 Identity and authorisation management The EGA authenticates the identity of individuals or software accessing controlled access data held at the EGA.The EGA ensures an appropriate level of assurance (LoA) is applied to the identity consistent with the risk associated with that individual, such as multi-factor authentication for DACs.The EGA provides the minimum access rights and privileges consistent with the user’s identity, allowing access consistent with the GA4GH Privacy and Security Policy, as determined by the appropriate DAC. 4 Audit Logs The EGA maintains a set of logs recording: Changes to user access rights,Data access requests,Resource usage. 5 Cryptography, communication security, and data integrity The EGA ensures data transmission integrity using a hash function.All data transmitted to or from the EGA is end-to-end encrypted.All data at EGA is stored using strong encryption.Encryption keys are not stored in the same system as the encrypted data.All data archived at EGA must be accompanied by a signed submission statement ensuring appropriate consent or ethical approval has been obtained, and is in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. The EGA has a defined protocol defining the response in the event of a security breach, and is continuing to work with the GA4GH Data Security Work Stream to help define best practice and associated standards for breach responses. Appendix 1 GA4GH Control Objectives Control Objective 1: Implement technology safeguards to minimise the risk of unauthorised access, use, or disclosure of confidential and private data.Control Objective 2: Implement technology safeguards to minimise the risk of discovery, access, and use of individuals’ clinical and genomic data, and individual identities, other than as authorised by applicable jurisdictional law, institutional policy, and individual consents.Control Objective 3: Implement technology safeguards to minimise the risk of accidental or malicious corruption or destruction of data.Control Objective 4: Implement technology safeguards to minimise the risk of disruption, degradation, and interruption of services enabling access to data.Control Objective 5: Implement technology safeguards to minimise the risk of potential security attacks and misuse of authorised accesses and privileges.Control Objective 6: Implement technology safeguards to promptly detect the failure to attain the above control objectives and to respond with proper countermeasures.Appendix 2Refer to the document below to learn more about EGA long-term data preservation policy and procedures at EMBL-EBI.Long-term data preservation

  Documentation about/security