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• 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

• DEPArray-based sorting of pure carcinoma and stromal populations from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues followed by targeted sequencing

  To overcome the challenges of low DNA yields, degraded DNA by formalin fixation and diluted signal of genomic aberrations by non-carcinoma components in the heterogeneous FFPE samples, we isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cells using the DEPArray™ NxT system, a microchip-based digital sorter that allows isolation of pure, homogeneous subpopulations of cells from FFPE samples. We isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cell populations from 12 FFPE tissues, including tissues from 9 primary and metastatic breast cancer and 3 primary ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas. This was followed by a targeted panel for somatic mutation and sCNA analysis (7 samples), subject to cell availability. Mutation analysis was performed successfully in 6/7 samples and somatic mutations were detected in all of them.

  Dataset EGAD50000001898

• DEPArray-based sorting of pure carcinoma and stromal populations from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues followed by targeted sequencing

  To overcome the challenges of low DNA yields, degraded DNA by formalin fixation and diluted signal of genomic aberrations by non-carcinoma components in the heterogeneous FFPE samples, we isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cells using the DEPArray™ NxT system, a microchip-based digital sorter that allows isolation of pure, homogeneous subpopulations of cells from FFPE samples. We isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cell populations from 12 FFPE tissues, including tissues from 9 primary and metastatic breast cancer and 3 primary ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas. This was followed by a targeted panel for somatic mutation and sCNA analysis (7 samples), subject to cell availability. Mutation analysis was performed successfully in 6/7 samples and somatic mutations were detected in all of them.

  Dataset EGAD50000001897

• DEPArray-based sorting of pure carcinoma and stromal populations from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues followed by targeted sequencing

  To overcome the challenges of low DNA yields, degraded DNA by formalin fixation and diluted signal of genomic aberrations by non-carcinoma components in the heterogeneous FFPE samples, we isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cells using the DEPArray™ NxT system, a microchip-based digital sorter that allows isolation of pure, homogeneous subpopulations of cells from FFPE samples. We isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cell populations from 12 FFPE tissues, including tissues from 9 primary and metastatic breast cancer and 3 primary ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas. This was followed by a targeted panel for somatic mutation and sCNA analysis (7 samples), subject to cell availability. Mutation analysis was performed successfully in 6/7 samples and somatic mutations were detected in all of them.

  Dataset EGAD50000001896

• DEPArray-based sorting of pure carcinoma and stromal populations from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues followed by targeted sequencing

  To overcome the challenges of low DNA yields, degraded DNA by formalin fixation and diluted signal of genomic aberrations by non-carcinoma components in the heterogeneous FFPE samples, we isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cells using the DEPArray™ NxT system, a microchip-based digital sorter that allows isolation of pure, homogeneous subpopulations of cells from FFPE samples. We isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cell populations from 12 FFPE tissues, including tissues from 9 primary and metastatic breast cancer and 3 primary ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas. This was followed by a targeted panel for somatic mutation and sCNA analysis (7 samples), subject to cell availability. Mutation analysis was performed successfully in 6/7 samples and somatic mutations were detected in all of them.

  Dataset EGAD50000001890

• DEPArray-based sorting of pure carcinoma and stromal populations from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues followed by targeted sequencing

  To overcome the challenges of low DNA yields, degraded DNA by formalin fixation and diluted signal of genomic aberrations by non-carcinoma components in the heterogeneous FFPE samples, we isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cells using the DEPArray™ NxT system, a microchip-based digital sorter that allows isolation of pure, homogeneous subpopulations of cells from FFPE samples. We isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cell populations from 12 FFPE tissues, including tissues from 9 primary and metastatic breast cancer and 3 primary ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas. This was followed by a targeted panel for somatic mutation and sCNA analysis (7 samples), subject to cell availability. Mutation analysis was performed successfully in 6/7 samples and somatic mutations were detected in all of them.

  Dataset EGAD50000001888

• DEPArray-based sorting of pure carcinoma and stromal populations from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues followed by targeted sequencing

  To overcome the challenges of low DNA yields, degraded DNA by formalin fixation and diluted signal of genomic aberrations by non-carcinoma components in the heterogeneous FFPE samples, we isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cells using the DEPArray™ NxT system, a microchip-based digital sorter that allows isolation of pure, homogeneous subpopulations of cells from FFPE samples. We isolated pure carcinoma and stromal cell populations from 12 FFPE tissues, including tissues from 9 primary and metastatic breast cancer and 3 primary ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas. This was followed by a targeted panel for somatic mutation and sCNA analysis (7 samples), subject to cell availability. Mutation analysis was performed successfully in 6/7 samples and somatic mutations were detected in all of them.

  Dataset EGAD50000001899

• Emirati Genome Project Population Variome (MAF Table)

  The Emirati Genome Project (EGP) Variome comprises allele frequency data derived from 43,608 individuals sequenced as part of the national genome program in the United Arab Emirates. Samples were processed at the M42 EGP Facility and sequenced to a minimum of 30x coverage using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 short-read technology. Variant calling and alignment were performed using the DRAGEN pipeline (v3.9) against the GRCh38 reference genome. This dataset contains a total of 421,605,069 short variants (SNVs and indels), stored in VCF format. Each variant is annotated with population-level metrics in the INFO field, including: AC (alternate allele count) AF (alternate allele frequency) RC (reference allele count) RF (reference allele frequency) For convenience, VCF files are split by chromosome (chr1–22, X, Y), compressed and indexed using bgzip and tabix.

  Dataset EGAD50000001558

• SNV and indel calls from 8086 individuals in the British Autozygosity Populations BioResource dataset

  This includes variant calls (single nucleotide variants and small insertions/deletions) from 8086 (mostly British Pakistani/British Bangladeshi) individuals from the following studies: 1. 3781 British Pakistani/British Bangladeshi adults from East London Genes and Health 2. 2791 British South Asian mothers from Born in Bradford 3. 1428 British South Asian adults from Birmingham 4. 86 individuals (mixed ancestries) from families with rare diseases, from Queen Mary University London All of the Birmingham and most of the Born in Bradford samples were previously sequenced as part of PMID: 26940866. Mapping was done with bwa-mem and variant calling was carried out with GATK HaplotypeCaller. We removed variant sites for which the following was true: SNPs: "QD < 2.0 || FS > 30 || MQ < 40.0 || MQRankSum < -12.5 || ReadPosRankSum < -8.0" Indels: "QD < 2.0 || FS > 30 || ReadPosRankSum < -20.0"

  Dataset EGAD00001004581

• Novel de novo pathogenic variant in the GNAI1 as a cause of severe disorders of intellectual development with autistic features

  Our probands A and B are boys-monozygotic twins with the clinical diagnosis of severe intellectual impairment, developmental stagnation, and dysphasia. They were diagnosed at the Department of Medical Genetics and Genomics (University Hospital Brno). Parents provided written informed consent, which was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Masaryk University and Ethics Committee of University Hospital Brno. Peripheral blood samples were collected in sterile heparinized tubes for cytogenetic analysis. Genomic DNA samples were obtained from 1 ml peripheral blood in EDTA, according to the standard DNA isolation process using the MagNaPure system (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland). Quality and quantity were checked using a DeNovix DS-11 Spectrophotometer (DeNovix Inc., Wilmington, DE, USA) and Qubit® 2.0 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA).

  Dataset EGAD00001007736

• Anthropological dataset 2 for The admixture histories of Cabo Verde

  Datasets used in the article "The genetic and linguistic admixture histories of the islands of Cabo Verde" by Laurent R et al. eLife 2023 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.79827 - URL: https://elifesciences.org/articles/79827) File name "eGAdeposit_233CaboVerde_GEOcoordFULL_FINAL_01062022.txt" Column 1 corresponds to individual alphanumeric codes as in the "eGAdeposit_233CaboVerde_GenotypeFile_FINAL_01062022.vcf" genotype file Column 2-3 corresponds to X-Y GPS coordinates of individual's interview location in Cabo Verde Column 4-5 corresponds to X-Y GPS coordinates of individual's self-reported residence location at the time of the interview Column 6-7 corresponds to X-Y GPS coordinates of individual's self-reported birth-place location Column 8-9 corresponds to X-Y GPS coordinates of individual's self-reported paternal birth-place location Column 10-11 corresponds to X-Y GPS coordinates of individual's self-reported maternal birth-place location

  Dataset EGAD00001008977

• Estimating transcription factor variability in PC-9 cells using scRNA-seq

  PC-9 cells were barcoded following protocol from Chang et al. Nature Biotech. 2021, which does not affect downstream analysis. PC-9 cells were trypsinized into single-cell suspensions and processed using Chromium Single Cell Gene Expression 3’ Library and Gel Bead Kit V2.0 following the manufacturer’s instructions (10X Genomics). Cells were counted and checked for viability using Vi-CELL XR cell counter (Beckman Coulter), and then injected into microfluidic chips to form Gel Beads-in-Emulsion (GEMs) in the 10X Chromium instrument. Reverse transcription was performed on the GEMs, and RT products were purified and amplified. Expression libraries were made from the cDNA and profiled using the Bioanalyzer High Sensitivity DNA kit (Agilent Technologies) and quantified with Kapa Library Quantification Kit (Kapa Biosystems). Illumina HiSeq2500 (Illumina) was used to sequence the libraries.

  Dataset EGAD00001011041

• Sequencing data from a phase II study of nivolumab and ipilimumab in recurrent or refractory cancer of unknown primary (CheCUP trial)

  Sequencing data from a phase II study of nivolumab and ipilimumab in recurrent or refractory cancer of unknown primary (CheCUP trial). Panel sequencing data from baseline FFPE biopsies were used to perform a comprehensive genomic profiling of CUP metastases. Combined targeted next-generation sequencing of patient-specific hotsport mutations and shallow whole genome sequencing of baseline and follow-up liquid biopsy samples were used to analyze ctDNA and to evaluate response to immunei checkpoint inhibitor treatment. In some cases, whole exome sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed to screen for potential CHIP and germline mutations.

  Dataset EGAD00001011130

• Comprehensive characterization of pre- and post-treatment samples of breast cancer reveal potential mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance

  When locally advanced breast cancer is treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the recurrence risk is significantly higher if no complete pathologic response is achieved. Identification of the underlying resistance mechanisms is essential to select treatments with maximal efficacy and minimal toxicity. Here we employed gene expression profiles derived from 317 HER2-negative treatment-naïve breast cancer biopsies of patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, deep whole exome and RNA-sequencing profiles of 22 matched pre- and post-treatment tumors, and treatment outcome data to identify biomarkers of response and resistance mechanisms. Molecular profiling of treatment-naïve breast cancer samples revealed that expression levels of proliferation, immune response and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization combined predict response to chemotherapy. Triple negative patients with high proliferation, high immune response and low ECM expression had a significantly better treatment response and survival benefit (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.10-0.85; p=0.02), while in ER+ patients the opposite was seen (HR 4.73, 95% CI 1.51-14.8; 0=0.008). The characterization of paired pre-and post-treatment samples revealed that aberrations of known cancer genes were either only present in the pre-treatment sample (CDKN1B) or in the post-treatment sample(TP53, APC, CTNNB1). Proliferation-associated genes were frequently down-regulated in post-treatment ER+ tumors, but not in triple negative tumors. Genes involved in ECM were upregulated in the majority of post-chemotherapy samples. Genomic and transcriptomic differences between pre- and post-chemotherapy samples are common and may reveal potential mechanisms of therapy resistance. Our results show a wide range of distinct, but related mechanisms, with a prominent role for proliferation- and ECM-related genes.

  Study EGAS00001005876

• Nala TAS-LRS PGx Study

  Pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing improves medication safety and efficacy by identifying genetic variants that affect drug response. However, current technologies often fail to resolve complex loci, detect structural variants, or phase alleles accurately. Here, we present an end-to-end PGx workflow based on Targeted Adaptive Sampling-Long Read Sequencing (TAS-LRS), integrating a streamlined laboratory protocol with a bioinformatics pipeline that includes a novel CYP2D6 caller. Using 1,000 ng of DNA and three-sample multiplexing on a single PromethION flow cell, the assay achieves consistent on-target (25x) and off-target (3x) coverage, enabling accurate, haplotype-resolved testing of 35 pharmacogenes alongside genome-wide genotyping from off-target reads. We further developed the workflow into a clinically ready service and validated its performance across 17 reference and clinical samples. The assay demonstrated high concordance for small variants (99.9%) and structural variants (>95%), with phased diplotypes and metabolizer phenotypes reaching 97.7% and 98.0% concordance, respectively. Improved calls were observed in 12 genes due to enhanced genotyping, phasing, or novel allele detection. In addition, off-target reads supported accurate genome-wide imputation, comparable to short-read sequencing and superior to microarrays. These results establish the feasibility of long-read sequencing for clinical PGx testing and position TAS-LRS as a scalable solution combining both targeted and genome-wide utility.

  Study EGAS50000001116

• Drug-perturbation-based stratification of blood cancer

  As new generations of targeted therapies emerge and tumor genome sequencing discovers increasingly comprehensive mutation repertoires, the functional relationships of mutations to tumor phenotypes remain largely unknown. Here, we measured ex vivo sensitivity of 246 blood cancers to 63 drugs alongside genome, transcriptome, and DNA methylome analysis to understand determinants of drug response. We assembled a primary blood cancer cell encyclopedia data set that revealed disease-specific sensitivities for each cancer. Within chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), responses to 62% of drugs were associated with 2 or more mutations, and linked the B cell receptor (BCR) pathway to trisomy 12, an important driver of CLL. Based on drug responses, the disease could be organized into phenotypic subgroups characterized by exploitable dependencies on BCR, mTOR, or MEK signaling and associated with mutations, gene expression, and DNA methylation. Fourteen percent of CLLs were driven by mTOR signaling in a non–BCR-dependent manner. Multivariate modeling revealed immunoglobulin heavy chain variable gene (IGHV) mutation status and trisomy 12 as the most important modulators of response to kinase inhibitors in CLL. Ex vivo drug responses were associated with outcome. This study overcomes the perception that most mutations do not influence drug response of cancer, and points to an updated approach to understanding tumor biology, with implications for biomarker discovery and cancer care.

  Study EGAS00001001746

• Characterization_of_genomic_landscape_of_Peripheral_T_cell_Lymphomas__not_otherwise_specified__PTCL_NOS_

  Peripheral T-cell lymphomas not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS) represent a heterogeneous group of nodal and extra-nodal mature T-cell lymphomas, with a low prevalence in Western countries. PTCL-NOSs account for about 25% of all PTCLs and are currently diagnosed based on exclusion criteria, as this lymphomas lack unifying morphological, phenotypic and genomic features. Cytogenetic and FISH analysis of PTCL-NOS samples have not revealed recurrent pathogenetic abnormalities, while gene expression profiling has shown only partial ability to segregate cases representing homogeneous clinic-pathological entities. This underscores the need to look at PTCL-NOS with innovative and high-throughput approaches to identify recurrent genetic lesions that could further our understanding of the biology of this heterogeneous group of diseases, provide better diagnostic tools and perhaps new targets for innovative treatments. Our aim is to study ~15 patients affected by PTCL-NOS. Out study will be funded by a private, non-profit Italian cancer research fund (Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, www.airc.it) based on a grant owned by Anna Dodero and Cristiana Carniti, hematologists at INT. Samples will be analysed by whole genome sequencing using Illumina X10 machines, on a 150bp-PE protocol. Data will be analysed using the pipeline available in Team 78, under the supervision of Peter Campbell, the WTSI faculty who will oversee the project, and by Francesco Maura, visiting scientist at the WTSI.

  Study EGAS00001002057

• MutWP1__CRUK_Grand_Challenge__matched_blood_Nanoseq

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating the recruitment of 5000 individuals with cancer (colorectal, renal, pancreatic, oesophageal adenocarcinoma or oesophageal squamous cancers) across 5 continents to explore whether different mutational signatures explain marked variation in incidence. In brief, through an international network of collaborators around the world, biological materials are collected, along with demographic, histological, clinical and questionnaire data. Whole genome sequences of tumour-germline DNA pairs are generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Non-tumour DNA is also studied for some cancer types. Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with risk factors data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001006774

• MutWP1__CRUK_Grand_Challenge__normal_kidney_Nanoseq

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating the recruitment of 5000 individuals with cancer (colorectal, renal, pancreatic, oesophageal adenocarcinoma or oesophageal squamous cancers) across 5 continents to explore whether different mutational signatures explain marked variation in incidence. In brief, through an international network of collaborators around the world, biological materials are collected, along with demographic, histological, clinical and questionnaire data. Whole genome sequences of tumour-germline DNA pairs are generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Non-tumour DNA is also studied for some cancer types. Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with risk factors data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001005451

• MutWP1__CRUK_Grand_Challenge_Mutographs_of_Cancer__head___neck

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating the recruitment of 5000 individuals with cancer (colorectal, renal, pancreatic, oesophageal adenocarcinoma or oesophageal squamous cancers) across 5 continents to explore whether different mutational signatures explain marked variation in incidence. In brief, through an international network of collaborators around the world, biological materials are collected, along with demographic, histological, clinical and questionnaire data. Whole genome sequences of tumour-germline DNA pairs are generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Non-tumour DNA is also studied for some cancer types. Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with risk factors data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001005450

• Transcriptome Sequencing PPGL

  RNA library preparation of samples with RNA Integrity Number (RIN) > 5.5 (median 7.1; range 5.6-8.9) was performed as described in the TruSeq Stranded mRNA Library Prep Kit (Illumina, RS-122-2101). Briefly, 0.7-1 µg total RNA PolyA+ fraction was purified and randomly fragmented, converted to double stranded cDNA and processed through subsequent enzymatic treatments of end-repair, dA-tailing, and ligation to adapters. Adapter-ligated library was completed by PCR with Illumina PE primers. The resulting purified cDNA library was applied to an Illumina flow cell for cluster generation and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq2500 on a 51bp single-read format following manufacturer's protocols. cDNA libraries from FFPE tumors and low integrity RNA’s (RIN<5.5) from FF tumors (median 2.4; range 1-5.5) but % of fragments > 200 nucleotides higher than 20% (median 57.5; range 20-96) were prepared using QuantSeq 3’ mRNA-Seq Library Prep Kit FWD for Illumina (Lexogen, 015) with a UMI Second Strand Synthesis Module for QuantSeq FWD (Lexogen, 081), vendor’s protocol for low input/ low quality/ FFPE RNA using 200-500 ng of total RNA, according to availability, was used as starting material. PCR Add-on Kit for Illumina (Lexogen, 020) was used to adjust the library amplification number of cycles. Libraries were applied to an Illumina flow cell for cluster generation and sequenced on NovaSeq6000. Image analysis, per-cycle basecalling and quality score assignment was performed with Illumina Real Time Analysis software. Demultiplexing of BCL files to FASTQ format was performed with the bcl2fastq Software (Illumina).

  Study EGAS00001006044

• Prebiotic inulin-type fructans induce specific changes in the human gut microbiota

  ObjectiveContrary to the long-standing prerequisite of inducing selective (i.e. bifidogenic) effects, recent findings suggest that prebiotic interventions lead to ecosystem-wide microbiota shifts. Yet, a comprehensive characterization of this process is still lacking. Here, we apply 16S rDNA microbiota profiling and matching (GC-MS) metabolomics to assess the consequences of inulin fermentation both on the composition of the colon bacterial ecosystem and fecal metabolites profiles.DesignFecal samples collected during a double blind, randomized, cross-over intervention study (NCT02548247) set up to assess the effect of inulin consumption on stool frequency in healthy adults with mild constipation were analyzed. Fecal microbiota composition and metabolite profiles were linked to the study’s clinical outcome as well as to quality-of-life measurements recorded.ResultsWhile fecal metabolite profiles were not significantly altered by inulin consumption, our analyses did detect a modest effect on global microbiota composition. At the same time, specific inulin-induced changes in relative abundances of Anaerostipes, Bilophila, and Bifidobacterium were identified. The observed decrease in Bilophila abundances following inulin consumption was associated with both softer stools and a favorable change in constipation-specific quality of life measures.ConclusionsEcosystem-wide analysis of the effect of a dietary intervention with prebiotic inulin-type fructans on the colon microbiota revealed that this effect is specifically associated to three genera, one of which (Bilophila) representing a promising novel target for mechanistic research.

  Study EGAS00001002173

• Landscape of somatic mutations and clonal evolution in mantle cell lymphoma

  Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive tumor, but a subset of patients may follow an indolent clinical course. To understand the mechanisms underlying this biological heterogeneity, we performed whole-genome and/or whole-exome sequencing on 29 MCL cases and their respective matched normal DNA, as well as 6 MCL cell lines. Recurrently mutated genes were investigated by targeted sequencing in an independent cohort of 172 MCL patients. We identified 25 significantly mutated genes, including known drivers such as ataxia-telangectasia mutated (ATM), cyclin D1 (CCND1), and the tumor suppressor TP53; mutated genes encoding the anti-apoptotic protein BIRC3 and Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2); and the chromatin modifiers WHSC1, MLL2, and MEF2B. We also found NOTCH2 mutations as an alternative phenomenon to NOTCH1 mutations in aggressive tumors with a dismal prognosis. Analysis of two simultaneous or subsequent MCL samples by whole-genome/whole-exome (n = 8) or targeted (n = 19) sequencing revealed subclonal heterogeneity at diagnosis in samples from different topographic sites and modulation of the initial mutational profile at the progression of the disease. Some mutations were predominantly clonal or subclonal, indicating an early or late event in tumor evolution, respectively. Our study identifies molecular mechanisms contributing to MCL pathogenesis and offers potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

  Study EGAS00001000510

• BMP4 and temozolomide synergize in the majority of patient derived glioblastoma cultures

  The poor prognosis of patients with glioblastoma is partly due to resistance to standard treatment, which combines chemoradiation using temozolomide (TMZ). The concept of cancer stem cells provided new insight into tumor resistance and management, and isolated Glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) which contribute to this therapy resistance. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) is a differentiation factor that stimulates astroglial differentiation of such GSCs, thereby reducing their self-renewal. Exposing GSCs to BMP4 could therefore sensitize them to chemotherapy with TMZ, but previous studies with various treatment paradigms have produced contradictory results in this matter. Therefore, we re-defined the optimal treatment paradigm for the combination of TMZ and BMP4 and subsequently re-assessed the inter-tumoral variability in response to co-treatment with TMZ+BMP4 in vitro. First, the simultaneous treatment was found more effective than sequential therapy. Second, after application of our optimized treatment protocol, 70% of a total of 20 patient-derived glioblastoma cultures showed synergy when the treatments were combined. The synergistic effect was a result of increased cellular apoptosis and not of decreased proliferation. Comparative RNA-sequencing suggested that combination treatment results in decreased MAPK signaling. We conclude that addition of BMP4 to standard therapy with TMZ could enlarge the group of patients with good therapeutic response.

  Study EGAS00001007095

• Transcriptome and Epigenome of TIL Infusion for Cancer Immunotherapy

  Adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) using ex vivo–expanded autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) can mediate complete regression of certain human cancers. The impact of TIL phenotypes on clinical success of TIL-ACT is currently unclear. Samples were analyzed from TIL infusion products from metastatic melanoma human patients who responded to TIL-ACT (responders) and patients who did not (non-responders). Single cell transcriptome of TIL infusion products were analyzed for CD8 TIL phenotype and function. In patients with available neoantigen reactive TIL, single cell TCR clonotyping was performed to study anti-tumor TIL states between responders and non-responders. Epigenetic studies on TIL infusion products were performed using ATAC sequencing between paired CD39- C69- and CD39+ CD69+ CD8+ TILs.

  Study phs002436