3413 results for "*geneti*"

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• Mitochondrial DNA sequencing of iPSC, parental cells, and iPSC derived cardiomyocytes

  The aim of this work was to analyze to which extent mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) originate from their parental cells or from de novo mutagenesis, and whether dynamics in variant heteroplasmy levels during prolonged expansion culture of iPSC are caused by inter- or intra-cellular selection or genetic drift. Hence, mtDNA of 26 early passage iPSC clones from, in total, 10 donors and the corresponding parental cell populations (here endothelial cells) were sequenced. Furthermore, 7 iPSC clones were expanded up to passage 50 and the change in variant heteroplasmy levels was monitored. Lastly, the effect of differentiation on the variant heteroplasmy levels was investigated during directed cardiomyocyte differentiation of 4 iPSC clones.

  Study EGAS00001005560

• Whole genome sequencing of a breast cancer cohort with known functional homologous recombination status

  Optimal patient selection for PARP inhibitors and double strand break (DSB) inducing chemotherapy is of great clinical importance. In principle, the use of these therapies can be extended beyond germline BRCA1/2 mutated cancers. Although several methods for detection of BRCA-like tumors have been developed, a golden standard is lacking. We have developed the RECAP test, a functional HR assay exploiting the formation of RAD51 foci in proliferating cells after ex vivo irradiation of fresh primary breast cancer (BrC) tissue. The RECAP test seems robust and has an advantage over genetic tests, due to its functional character for exploring the HR phenotype. Another type of HRD test is the BRCAness classifier, which is based on specific genomic patterns derived from copy number data of BRCA1/2 mutated BrCs that also occur in sporadic cancers. The BRCAness classifier is a robust test that is easily applicable in the clinic and has also been validated to predict in vivo response to high dose chemotherapy in clinical trials. More recently, a new HRD test based on genomic signatures which can be extracted from whole genome sequencing has been published, HRDetect. Studies comparing these different HRD tests within the same cohort of patients do not yet exist. Here, we have the unique opportunity to compare three HRD tests within the same cohort. We aim to compare three different HRD tests (RECAP, BRCAness classifier and HRDetect) within the same cohort of primary BrCs (n=41). As a secondary aim, we will analyze additional genetic alterations in HRD tumors (both BRCA-deficient and BRCA-proficient HRD tumors).

  Study EGAS00001005572

• Feasibility of Ultra-Rapid Exome Sequencing in Critically Ill Infants and Children With Suspected Monogenic Conditions in the Australian Public Health Care System

  Critically ill infants and children with suspected monogenic conditions underwent ultra-rapid whole exome genetic testing. A molecular diagnosis was established in 51% of the patients. This study suggests feasibility of ultra-rapid genomic testing in critically ill pediatric patients.

  Study EGAS00001005430

• DLBCL NGS Genomic Datasets of non-China cohort from Phoenix Clinical Trial

  Study biopsies (n=773; 189 cases as China cohort and 584 cases as non-China cohort) underwent whole exome sequencing or targeted gene panel DNA sequencing and RNA sequencing, allowing the identification of somatic mutations. Tumors were assigned to DLBCL genetic subtypes as the MCD (n=110), BN2 (n=47) or N1 (n=28) using the LymphGen algorithm based on their somatically mutated genes. In younger patients (age≤60), ibrutinib plus R-CHOP was associated with a 100% event free survival (EFS) at 3-years in the MCD and N1 groups, whereas R-CHOP alone was associated with a 3-year EFS of 42.9% (p=0.01) and 50% (p=0.016) in the MCD and N1 groups, respectively. This analysis showed a benefit of ibrutinib with R-CHOP chemotherapy in particular genetic subtypes, providing mechanistic support for its survival benefit in younger patients with non-GCB DLBCL. The EGA collects RNA-Seq and NuGene targeted sequencing datasets of 584 cases for non-China cohort.

  Study EGAS00001005554

• IVF Whole genome prediction

  Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) of in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos has been proposed as a method to reduce transmission of common disease, although comprehensive genetic assessment remains unavailable. Here we use a combination of molecular and statistical techniques to reliably and accurately infer inherited genome sequence in 110 embryos. We combine polygenic risk scores (PRS) and rare variation to model susceptibility across 12 common conditions.

  Study EGAS00001005619

• Small variants in mtDNA Canary Islands - WGS Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ITER)

  The mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is of interest for a range of fields including evolutionary, forensic, and medical genetics. Human mitogenomes can be classified into evolutionary related haplogroups that provide ancestral information and pedigree relationships. Because of this and the advent of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technology, there is a diversity of bioinformatic tools for haplogroup classification. We present a benchmarking of the 11 most salient tools for human mtDNA classification using empirical whole-genome (WGS) and whole-exome (WES) short-read sequencing data from 36 unrelated donors. Besides, because of its relevance, we also assess the best performing tool in third-generation long noisy read WGS data obtained with nanopore technology for a subset of the donors. We found that, for short-read WGS, most of the tools exhibit high accuracy for haplogroup classification irrespective of the input file used for the analysis. However, for short- read WES, Haplocheck and MixEmt were the most accurate tools. Based on the performance shown for WGS and WES, and the accompanying qualitative assessment, Haplocheck stands out as the most complete tool. For third-generation HTS data, we also showed that Haplocheck was able to accurately retrieve mtDNA haplogroups for all samples assessed, although only after following assembly-based approaches (either based on a referenced-based assembly or a hybrid de novo assembly). Taken together, our results provide guidance for researchers to select the most suitable tool to conduct the mtDNA analyses from HTS data.

  Study EGAS00001005677

• Small variants in mtDNA Canary Islands - WES Illumina (ITER)

  The mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is of interest for a range of fields including evolutionary, forensic, and medical genetics. Human mitogenomes can be classified into evolutionary related haplogroups that provide ancestral information and pedigree relationships. Because of this and the advent of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technology, there is a diversity of bioinformatic tools for haplogroup classification. We present a benchmarking of the 11 most salient tools for human mtDNA classification using empirical whole-genome (WGS) and whole-exome (WES) short-read sequencing data from 36 unrelated donors. Besides, because of its relevance, we also assess the best performing tool in third-generation long noisy read WGS data obtained with nanopore technology for a subset of the donors. We found that, for short-read WGS, most of the tools exhibit high accuracy for haplogroup classification irrespective of the input file used for the analysis. However, for short- read WES, Haplocheck and MixEmt were the most accurate tools. Based on the performance shown for WGS and WES, and the accompanying qualitative assessment, Haplocheck stands out as the most complete tool. For third-generation HTS data, we also showed that Haplocheck was able to accurately retrieve mtDNA haplogroups for all samples assessed, although only after following assembly-based approaches (either based on a referenced-based assembly or a hybrid de novo assembly). Taken together, our results provide guidance for researchers to select the most suitable tool to conduct the mtDNA analyses from HTS data.

  Study EGAS00001005678

• Small variants in mtDNA Canary Islands - WGS Illumina (ITER)

  The mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is of interest for a range of fields including evolutionary, forensic, and medical genetics. Human mitogenomes can be classified into evolutionary related haplogroups that provide ancestral information and pedigree relationships. Because of this and the advent of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technology, there is a diversity of bioinformatic tools for haplogroup classification. We present a benchmarking of the 11 most salient tools for human mtDNA classification using empirical whole-genome (WGS) and whole-exome (WES) short-read sequencing data from 36 unrelated donors. Besides, because of its relevance, we also assess the best performing tool in third-generation long noisy read WGS data obtained with nanopore technology for a subset of the donors. We found that, for short-read WGS, most of the tools exhibit high accuracy for haplogroup classification irrespective of the input file used for the analysis. However, for short- read WES, Haplocheck and MixEmt were the most accurate tools. Based on the performance shown for WGS and WES, and the accompanying qualitative assessment, Haplocheck stands out as the most complete tool. For third-generation HTS data, we also showed that Haplocheck was able to accurately retrieve mtDNA haplogroups for all samples assessed, although only after following assembly-based approaches (either based on a referenced-based assembly or a hybrid de novo assembly). Taken together, our results provide guidance for researchers to select the most suitable tool to conduct the mtDNA analyses from HTS data.

  Study EGAS00001005679

• Genetic variability in exon 1 of the glucocorticoid receptor gene NR3C1 is associated with postoperative complications

  Patients having major surgery experience inflammation post-operatively, which may contribute to post-operative morbidity. Endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) are an essential part of the stress response, but this response varies between individuals, which may in turn affect clinical outcome in general, and post-operative inflammation, specifically. Exon 1 of the NR3C1 gene, encoding the glucocorticoid receptor, contains an established region of differential regulation. DNA methylation patterns in this region have been found to differ between individuals. We investigated the methylation status and genotype in the Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine (CpG) island in exon 1 of NR3C1 in 24 patients who underwent major abdominal surgery and correlated it with post-operative complications. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes and underwent targeted bisulfite sequencing of the CpG island. Complications were graded according to the Clavien-Dindo classification and 14 out of 24 had post-operative complications. Multifactorial and partial least square methods were used to analyse the data. A homogenous demethylated pattern was observed in all patients and no single CpG methylation was associated with post-operative complications. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were significantly correlated with higher Clavien-Dindo scores. Genetic variability in the chr5:143,402,505-143,405,805 region of exon 1 of the glucocorticoid receptor gene NR3C1, but not DNA methylation, was associated with more severe post-operative complications in patients having major abdominal surgery. This indicates that the response to GCs may be of clinical importance for inflammatory conditions.

  Study EGAS00001005737

• Proteogenomics of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

  Cancer heterogeneity at the proteome level may explain differences in therapy response and prognosis beyond the currently established genomic and transcriptomic based diagnostics. The relevance of proteomics for disease classifications remains to be established in clinically heterogeneous cancer entities such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Here, we characterized the proteome and transcriptome in-depth alongside genetic and ex-vivo drug response profiling in a clinically well annotated CLL discovery cohort (n= 68). Unsupervised clustering of the proteome data revealed six subgroups. Five of these proteomic groups were associated with genetic features, while one group was only detectable at the proteome level. This new group was characterized by accelerated disease progression, high spliceosomal protein abundances associated with aberrant splicing, and low B cell receptor signaling protein abundances (ASB-CLL). We developed classifiers to identify ASB-CLL based on its characteristic proteome or splicing signature in two independent cohorts (n= 165, n= 169) and confirmed that ASB-CLL comprises about 20 % of CLL patients. The inferior overall survival observed in ASB-CLL was independent of both TP53- and IGHV mutation status. Our multi-omics analysis refines the classification of CLL and highlights the potential of proteomics to improve cancer patient stratification beyond genetic and transcriptomic profiling. This is the transcriptomics data of the discovery cohort.

  Study EGAS00001005746

• Genome-wide Rare Variant Score Associates With Morphological Subtypes of Autism Spectrum Disorder

  Defining different genetic subtypes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can help predict developmental outcomes. Based on minor physical and major congenital anomalies, we categorized 325 Canadian children with ASD into dysmorphic and non-dysmorphic subgroupings. We developed a method to calculate a genome-wide rare variant score (GRVS) from whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data for each ASD proband. GRVS is a sum of the number of variants in morphology-associated coding and non-coding regions, weighted by their effect sizes. Probands with dysmorphic ASD had a significantly higher GRVS compared to those with non-dysmorphic ASD (P= 0.027). Using the polygenic transmission disequilibrium test, we observed an over-transmission of ASD-associated common variants in non-dysmorphic ASD probands (P= 2.9×10-3). We replicated our findings using 442 ASD probands that had accompanying morphology data in the Simons Simplex Collection. Our findings provide support for an alternative genomic classification of ASD subgroups using morphology data, which may inform intervention protocols.

  Study EGAS00001005753

• Germline biallelic mutation affecting the transcription factor Helios causes pleiotropic defects of immunity

  We studied a patient with recurrent respiratory infections and hypogammaglobulinemia and identified a germline homozygous missense mutation in IKZF2 encoding Helios (p.Ile325Val). We show that HeliosI325V retains DNA-binding and dimerization properties, but loses interaction with several partners, including epigenetic remodelers HDAC1, HDAC3 and the ATAC complex. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed gene expression signatures indicative of a shift towards pro-inflammatory, effector-like status in the patient’s T cells. We observed an upregulation of the anti-inflammatory gene, TSC22D3, encoding the glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), whose expression was reported to increase upon IL-2 deprivation. We validated this finding in primary T cells, where we observed a pronounced reduction in IL-2 production upon their stimulation, together with a defect in their ability to proliferate, rendering them more anergic. Collectively, we identify a novel germline-encoded inborn error of immunity and define a role for Helios in conventional T cells, whereby interactions with specific binding partners is necessary to mediate the transcriptional programs that enable T-cell homeostasis in health and disease.

  Study EGAS00001005675

• Searching for genetic modulators of the phenotypic heterogeneity in Brugada Syndrome

  Study EGAS00001005848

• Identification of the dismal subtype of B-ALL with dysregulation of CDX2 and UBTF

  PURPOSE: Advance in the knowledge of genomic basis of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) has changed the treatment approaches and diagnostic assays and improved their outcome. Despite the recent development of next generation sequencing approaches, there are still some cases that their drivers are unknown. We aimed to define and describe the characteristics of an additional B-ALL subtype by integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic approach. METHODS: More than 2,000 B-ALL cases of RNA-seq data from from Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) (n=764), the Children's Oncology Group (COG), Munich Leukemia Laboratory (MLL) (n=280), and other several collaborators were analyzed to identify the new subtype. Whole genome sequence was performed to detect mutations, stractural variants, and copy number alterations. The tridimentional analysis of chromatin was performed with HiChIP. RESULTS: We identified the new high-risk B-ALL subtype “CDX2/UBTF” that exhibited unique gene expression profiles, which is enriched in female (77.3%), adolescents and young adults (52.6%), and relapse cohort (3.3%). CD10 negativity and IgM positivity are hallmarks of this subtype with NTRK3 expression that can be an effective marker at diagnostic approach and a potential targeted therapy with TRK and mulkinase inbitors, larotrectinib and entrectinib. Genetically, two different alterations define CDX2/UBTF. One is UBTF-ATXN7L3 fusions caused by deletion of 17q21.31, and the other is extopic CDX2 expression through the enhancer hijacking mechanism induced by deletion of 13q12.2. Other genomic features include gain of 1q and PAX5 rearrangement (PAX5-ZCCHC7), might induce upregulation of histone cluster genes and PAX5. CONCLUSION: We described the novel B-ALL subtype “CDX2/UBTF” that has unique clinical and genomic characteristics.

  Study EGAS00001005863

• Identification of Germline Monoallelic Mutations in IKZF2 in Patients with Immune Dysregulation.

  Helios, encoded by IKZF2, is a member of the Ikaros family of transcription factors with pivotal roles in T-follicular helper, NK- and T-regulatory cell physiology. Somatic IKZF2 mutations are frequently found in lymphoid malignancies. Although germline mutations in IKZF1 and IKZF3, encoding Ikaros and Aiolos, have recently been identified in patients with phenotypically similar immunodeficiency syndromes, the effect of germline mutations in IKZF2 on human hematopoiesis and immunity remains enigmatic. We identified germline IKZF2 mutations (one nonsense (p.R291X)- and 4 distinct missense variants) in six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, immune thrombocytopenia or EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Patients exhibited hypogammaglobulinemia, decreased number of T-follicular helper and NKcells. Single-cell RNA sequencing of PBMCs from the patient carrying the R291X variant revealed upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes associated with T-cell receptor activation and T-cell exhaustion. Functional assays revealed the inability of HeliosR291X to homodimerize and bind target DNA as dimers. Moreover, proteomic analysis by proximity-dependent Biotin Identification revealed aberrant interaction of 3/5 Helios mutants with core components of the NuRD complex conveying HELIOS mediated epigenetic and transcriptional dysregulation.

  Study EGAS00001005874

• Mapping genetic effects on cell type-specific chromatin accessibility using single nucleus ATAC-seq

  Gene regulation is highly cell type-specific and understanding the function of non-coding genetic variants associated with complex traits requires molecular phenotyping at cell type resolution. In this study we performed single nucleus ATAC-seq (snATAC-seq) and genotyping in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 13 individuals. We mapped chromatin accessibility QTLs (caQTLs) in each immune cell type and sub-type in a subset of 10 samples of European genetic ancestry.

  Study EGAS00001006184

• Human genome-wide variations in the Massim region

  The Massim, a cultural region encompassing the southeastern tip of mainland Papua New Guinea (PNG) and nearby islands, is famous for the Kula trading network, in which different valuables circulate in different directions among the islands. To explore Massim genetic history, we generated genome-wide data from across the region and found variable levels of Papuan-related (indigenous) ancestry, including a novel ancestry associated with Rossel Island, and Austronesian-related ancestry that arrived later. We find genetic evidence for different patterns of contact across PNG, the Massim, and the Bismarck and Solomon Archipelagoes for Austronesian-related vs. Papuan-related ancestry, with more geographic restriction for the latter. Moreover, Kula-practicing groups share more genetic similarity than do other groups, and this likely predates the origin of Kula, suggesting that high between-group contact facilitated the formation of Kula. Our study provides the first comprehensive genome-wide assessment of Massim inhabitants and new insights into the fascinating Kula system.

  Study EGAS00001006010

• Host genotyping data from Dutch adult bacterial meningitis patients and linked bacterial genome sequences

  Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common nasopharyngeal colonizer, but can also cause life-threatening invasive diseases such as empyema, bacteremia and meningitis. Genetic variation of host and pathogen is known to play a role in invasive pneumococcal disease, though to what extent is unknown. This study includes 1146 samples of host genotyping data (genotyped and imputed) from Illumina Omni arrays. Samples were collected from adults (>16 yrs) patients with CSF confirmed bacterial meningitis in the Netherlands between 2006 and 2015. Metadata includes patient outcome, species of bacteria, and for 467 samples a link to an ENA run with the associated bacterial genome (S. pneumoniae only).

  Study EGAS00001005993

• Papuan Y chromosome Diversity Panel

  Island Southeast Asia and Oceania host one of the world’s richest assemblages of human phenotypic, linguistic and cultural diversity. Despite this, the region’s male genetic lineages are globally among the last to remain unresolved. We compiled ~9.7 Mb of Y chromosome sequence from a diverse sample of over 380 men from this region, including 152 first reported here. The granularity of this dataset allows us to fully resolve and date the regional Y chromosome phylogeny. This new high-resolution tree confirms two main population bursts: multiple rapid diversifications following the region’s initial settlement ~50 kya, and extensive expansions <6 kya. Notably, ~40-25 kya the deep rooting local lineages of C-M130, M-P256, and S-B254 show almost no further branching events in Island Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia, matching a similar pause in diversification seen in maternal mitochondrial DNA lineages. The main local lineages start diversifying ~25 kya, at the time of the Last Glacial Maximum. This improved Y chromosome topology highlights localized events with important historical implications, including pre-Holocene contact between Mainland and Island Southeast Asia, potential interactions between Australia and the Papuan world, and a sustained period of diversification following the flooding of the ancient Sunda and Sahul continents as the insular landscape observed today formed. The high-resolution phylogeny of the Y chromosome presented here thus enables a detailed exploration of

  Study EGAS00001006025

• Analysis of recent shared ancestry in a familial cohort identifies coding and noncoding autism spectrum disorder variants

  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a collection of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests. ASD is highly heritable, but genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous, reducing the power to identify causative genes. We performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) in an ASD cohort of 68 individuals from 22 families enriched for recent shared ancestry. We identified an average of 3.07 million variants per genome, of which an average of 112,512 were rare. We mapped runs of homozygosity (ROHs) in affected individuals and found an average genomic homozygosity of 9.65%, consistent with expectations for multiple generations of consanguineous unions. We identified potentially pathogenic rare exonic or splice site variants in 12 known (including KMT2C, SCN1A, SPTBN1, SYNE1, ZNF292) and 12 candidate (including CHD5, GRB10, PPP1R13B) ASD genes. Furthermore, we annotated noncoding variants in ROHs with brain-specific regulatory elements and identified putative disease-causing variants within brain-specific promoters and enhancers for 5 known ASD and neurodevelopmental disease genes (ACTG1, AUTS2, CTNND2, CNTNAP4, SPTBN4). We also identified copy number variants in two known ASD and neurodevelopmental disease loci in two affected individuals. In total we identified potentially etiological variants in known ASD or neurodevelopmental disease genes for ~61% (14/23) of affected individuals. We combined WGS with homozygosity mapping and regulatory element annotations to identify candidate ASD variants. Our analyses add to the growing number of ASD genes and variants and emphasize the importance of leveraging recent shared ancestry to map disease variants in complex neurodevelopmental disorders.

  Study EGAS00001006058

• CIRdb: Array genotype data

  The current inhabitants of the Canary Islands have a unique genetic makeup in the European diversity landscape due to the existence of African footprints from recent admixture events, especially of North African components (>20%). The underrepresentation of non-Europeans in genetic studies and the sizable North African ancestry, which is nearly absent from all existing catalogs of worldwide genetic diversity, justify the need to develop CIRdb, a population-specific reference catalog of natural genetic variation in the Canary Islanders. Based on array genotyping of the selected unrelated donors and comparisons against available datasets from European, sub-Saharan, and North African populations, we illustrate the intermediate genetic differentiation of Canary Islanders between Europeans and North Africans and the existence of within-population differences that are likely driven by genetic isolation. In addition, here we describe the overall design and the methods that are being implemented to develop CIRdb.

  Study EGAS00001006050

• Insights from genome-wide data from Thailand and Laos

  We provide the first detailed insights into the genetic profiles of Thai/Lao ethnolinguistic groups, which should be helpful for reconstructing human genetic history in MSEA and selecting populations for participation in ongoing whole genome sequence and biomedical studies

  Study EGAS00001006053

• Chromatin profiles classify castration-resistant prostate cancers suggesting therapeutic targets

  Untreated prostate cancers rely on androgen receptor (AR) signaling for growth and survival, forming the basis for the initial efficacy of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Yet, the disease can relapse and progress to a lethal stage termed castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Reactivation of AR signaling represents the most common driver of CRPC growth and next generation AR signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) are now used in combination with ADT as a first line therapy. However, ARSIs can result in selective pressure generating AR-independent tumors. The transition from AR-dependence frequently accompanies a change in phenotype resembling developmental trans-differentiation or ‘lineage plasticity’. Neuroendocrine prostate cancer, which lacks a defined pathologic classification, is the most studied type of lineage plasticity. However, most AR-null tumors do not exhibit neuroendocrine features and are classified as ‘double-negative prostate cancer’, the drivers of which are poorly defined. Lineage plasticity studies in CRPC are limited by the lack of genetically defined patient-derived models that recapitulate the disease spectrum. To address this, we developed a biobank of organoids generated from patient biopsies to study the landscape of metastatic CRPC and allow for functional validation assays. Proteins called transcription factors (TFs) are drivers of tumor lineage plasticity. To identify the key TFs that drive the growth of AR-independent tumors, we integrated epigenetic and transcriptomic data generated from CRPC models. By presenting a map of the chromatin accessibility and transcriptomic landscape of CRPC using a diverse biobank of organoids, PDXs and cell lines that recapitulate the heterogeneity of metastatic prostate cancer, we validate CRPC-AR and CRPC-NE subtypes and reveal two subtypes of AR-negative/low samples as well as their respective masterTFs. Additional analysis revealed a model in which YAP, TAZ, TEAD and AP-1 function together and drive oncogenic growth in CRPC-SCL samples. Overall, we show here how an approach to stratify CRPC patients into four subtypes using their transcriptomic signatures can potentially inform upon appropriate clinical decisions.

  Study EGAS00001006059

• High-throughput telomere length measurement at nucleotide resolution using the PacBio high fidelity sequencing platform

  Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear chromosomes that are essential for the stability as well as the complete replication of the human genome. The progressive shortening of steady-state telomere length in normal human somatic cells is a promising biomarker for age-associated diseases. However, there remain substantial challenges in quantifying telomere length in clinics and research laboratories due to the lack of accurate and high-throughput telomere length measurement method. Here, we describe a novel workflow to capture and analyze telomeres accurately at the single-nucleotide resolution. By using newly designed telobaits that are complementary to the single-stranded G-rich 3’ telomeric overhangs, we can specifically and efficiently capture full-length telomeres and subject them to single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing. We show that the telomere length can be measured at nucleotide resolution using the PacBio high fidelity (HiFi) sequencing platform, which provides the necessary accuracy and throughput to uncover the steady-state telomere length distribution in human culture cell lines as well as clinical patient samples. This new method is a valuable tool not only in population-wide epidemiology studies but also for the longitudinal assessment of telomere attrition in individuals. Our results also reveal the extreme heterogeneity of telomeric variant sequences (TVSs) that is dispersed throughout the telomere repeat region. Importantly, the unique distribution pattern and sequence of TVSs in individuals may be used as a fingerprint for sample identification. In addition, the presence of TVSs disrupts the continuity of the canonical (5’-TTAGGG-3’)n telomere repeats, which could affect the binding of shelterin complexes at the chromosomal ends. Therefore, TVSs may act as a form of genetic polymorphisms that impairs telomere protection. Together with the absolute telomere length in each individual, TVSs may have profound implications in human aging and diseases.

  Study EGAS00001006103

• Genomic History of the Solomon Islands

  The aim of this study was to provide for a better understanding of the genetic relationships among and between populations of Near and Remote Oceania, with a focus on the initial settlement of the Solomon Islands and their role in the first dispersal of people from Near into Remote Oceania. Irina Pugach, Ana T Duggan, D Andrew Merriwether, Françoise R Friedlaender, Jonathan S Friedlaender, Mark Stoneking, "The Gateway from Near into Remote Oceania: New Insights from Genome-Wide Data", Molecular Biology and Evolution, Volume 35, Issue 4, April 2018, Pages 871–886

  Study EGAS00001006116