Search Results - EGA European Genome-Phenome Archive

An alternative splicing modulator decreases mutant HTT and improves the molecular fingerprint in Huntington’s disease patient neurons

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by poly-Q expansion in the Huntingtin (HTT) protein. Here, we delineate elevated mutant HTT (mHTT) levels in patient-derived cells including fibroblasts and iPSC derived cortical neurons using a GLP approved HTT assay. HD patients’ fibroblasts and cortical neurons recapitulate aberrant alternative splicing as a molecular fingerprint of HD. Branaplam is a splicing modulator currently tested in a phase II study in HD (NCT05111249). The drug lowers total HTT (tHTT) and mHTT levels in fibroblasts, iPSC, cortical progenitors, and neurons in a dose dependent manner at an IC50 consistently below 10nm without inducing cellular toxicity. Branaplam promotes inclusion of non-annotated novel exons. Amongst, a 115bp frameshift-inducing exon in the HTT transcript in Branaplam treated cells from Ctrl and HD patients leading to a profound reduction of HTT RNA and protein levels. Importantly, Branaplam ameliorates aberrant alternative splicing in HD patients’ fibroblasts and cortical neurons. These findings highlight the applicability of splicing modulators in the treatment of CAG repeat disorders and decipher their molecular effects associated with the pharmacokinetic and -dynamic properties in patient-derived cellular models.

Study EGAS00001006289

Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE)

This study is part of the Gene Environment Association Studies initiative (GENEVA) funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute. The overarching goal is to identify novel genetic factors that contribute to addiction through a large-scale genome-wide association study of DSM-IV alcohol dependent (and frequently illicit drug dependent) cases and non-dependent, unrelated control subjects of European and African American descent. The focus of this proposal is a case-control design of unrelated individuals for a genetic association study of addiction. Cases are defined as individuals with DSM-IV alcohol dependence (lifetime) and potentially other illicit drug dependence. In addition to the categorical diagnosis, we have data on ordinal measurements of number of DSM-IV symptoms for alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, opiates and other drugs so that we will able to construct quantitative measurements of addiction severity over a wide range of substances. Controls are defined as individuals who have been exposed to alcohol (and possibly to other drugs), but have never met lifetime diagnosis for alcohol dependence or dependence on other illicit substances. Analyses that include refinement of the phenotype and incorporation of important demographic and environmental factors into association studies will be pursued. Cases and controls were selected from three large, complementary datasets: the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), the Family Study of Cocaine Dependence (FSCD), and the Collaborative Genetic Study of Nicotine Dependence (COGEND). COGA: COGA was initiated in 1989 and is a large-scale family study that has had as its primary aim the identification of genes that contribute to alcoholism susceptibility and related characteristics. COGA is funded through the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Subjects were recruited from 7 sites across the U.S. Alcohol dependent probands were recruited from treatment facilities and assessed by personal interview. After securing permission, other family members were also assessed. A set of comparison families was drawn from the same communities as the families recruited through the alcohol dependent probands. Assessment involved a comprehensive personal interview developed for this project, the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA), which gathers detailed information on alcoholism related symptoms along with other drugs and psychiatric symptoms. Families with three or more first-degree relatives who were alcohol dependent were invited for more extensive testing, including neurophysiology evaluations (ERPs and EEGs) and a battery of neuropsychological assessments. Blood was obtained for genetic studies. Institutional Review Boards at all sites approved the protocols, including sharing in the NIAAA national repository. COGA has four Co-Principal Investigators Bernice Porjesz, Victor Hesselbrock, Howard Edenberg, and Laura Bierut. COGA includes nine different centers where data collection, analysis, and storage take place. The nine sites and Principal Investigators and Co-investigators are: University of Connecticut (Victor Hesselbrock); Indiana University (Howard Edenberg, John Nurnberger, Jr., Tatiana Foroud); University of Iowa (Samuel Kuperman); SUNY Downstate (Bernice Porjesz); Washington University in St. Louis (Laura Bierut, Alison Goate, John Rice); University of California at San Diego (Marc Schuckit); Howard University (Robert Taylor); Rutgers University (Jay Tischfield); Southwest Foundation (Laura Almasy). Q. Max Guo serves as the NIAAA Staff Collaborator. This national collaborative study is supported by the NIH Grant U10AA008401 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Family Study of Cocaine Dependence (FSCD): This project was initiated in 2000 as a case-control family study of cocaine dependence funded through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA; PI: Laura Bierut). The primary goal was to increase the understanding of the familial and non-familial antecedents and consequences of cocaine dependence. Cocaine dependent individuals were systematically recruited from chemical dependency treatment units (both public and private; residential and outpatient) in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Community based control subjects were identified through a Missouri Driver's License Registry (maintained at Washington University for research purposes) and matched by age, race, gender, and residential zip code. As a supplement to this project, blood samples were collected for future genetic analysis and were included in the NIDA Genetics Consortium. Phenotypic data, DNA, and cell lines are in the NIDA Center for Genetics Studies. Collaborative Genetic Study of Nicotine Dependence (COGEND): COGEND was initiated in 2001 as a three-part program project grant funded through the National Cancer Institute (NCI; PI: Laura Bierut). The three projects included a study of the familial transmission of nicotine dependence, a genetic study of nicotine dependence, and a study of the relationship of nicotine dependence with nicotine metabolism. The primary goal is to detect, localize, and characterize genes that predispose or protect an individual with respect to heavy tobacco consumption, nicotine dependence, and related phenotypes and to integrate these findings with the family transmission and nicotine metabolism findings. The primary design is a community based case-control family study. All subjects were recruited from Detroit and St. Louis. Nicotine dependent cases and non-dependent smoking controls were identified and recruited. In addition, one sibling for each case and control subject was recruited in a subset of the sample. Over 56,000 subjects aged 25-44 years were screened by telephone, over 3,100 subjects were personally interviewed, and over 2,900 donated blood samples for genetic studies. All three studies (COGA, COGEND, FSCD) include measures of basic socio-demographic variables, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, family income, educational attainment, religious participation, and family structure. Other important covariates and/or potential moderators of genetic effects include comorbid addictions and age at initiation of use for cigarettes, alcohol and drugs. The assessments also include measures of various life stressors, such as physical and sexual abuse, which have been implicated in gene-environment interactions for several disorders. Coding for both individual variables and indices has been standardized across studies. All subjects were assessed in person by trained research assistants. Funding support for genotyping, which was performed at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR), was provided by the NIH GEI (U01HG004438), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the NIH contract "High throughput genotyping for studying the genetic contributions to human disease"(HHSN268200782096C). Note for Publications Related to Study: The Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE) has not yet generated publications. Below is a listing of publications related to the three studies from which the SAGE sample was selected. COGA has over 228 publications listed at www.niaaagenetics.org 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 addiction through a large-scale genome-wide association study of DSM-IV alcohol dependent (and frequently illicit drug dependent) cases and non-dependent, unrelated control subjects of European and African American descent. 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 phs000092

Projects

Projects Jointly managed by the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) in Cambridge (UK) and the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona, the EGA provides an invaluable service to the worldwide biomedical research community. The teams leading the EGA are involved in several international partnerships and consortia in numerous scientific fields, where they contribute to ambitious projects. In addition to the project listed below, The EGA is in a long-standing partnership with the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), as described on the dedicated page. On-going projects Project Duration Domain Funder Tags EASIGEN-DS | The EASIGEN-DS project aims to conduct a design study to establish a new European Research Infrastructure on Advanced Genomics Technologies, EASIGEN. To develop an excellent scientific, technological and operational design, we will conduct landscape studies, stakeholder consultations, and community surveying. 2025-2028 Genomic and health data Horizon Europe DATA MANAGEMENT DOCUMENTATION INFRASTRUCTURE Go-IMPaCT | Go-IMPaCT will contribute sequenced genomes and provide infrastructure as part of IMPaCT-Cohort, one of the three fundamental pillars of the Precision Medicine Infrastructure associated with Science and Technology (IMPaCT) program in Spain. Along with the Genome of Europe (GoE) project, around 18.000 people will have their genomes sequenced, also contributing to Spain's commitments in 1+MG. Go-IMPaCT will fund the development of an EGA node to manage and share this genomic and phenoclinic data, laying the foundations for regional and ethnic genomic variability in Spain to be available for research purposes. The IMPaCT cohort is created with the spirit of being an open research tool, compatible with the rest of the health research ecosystem, and other international initiatives. 2025-2027 Large-scale genomics and health data; personalised medicine Instituto de Salud Carlos III ACCESS DISCOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE METADATA STANDARDS FAIR-FEGA | This project seeks to accelerate data depositions into FEGA, significantly increasing the data flow in and from FEGA nodes. It will build capacity within the FEGA nodes and increase awareness in a wide range of stakeholders, thus altogether achieving the ultimate goal of enhancing data reuse. The project will be carried out by a strategic consortium comprising seven ELIXIR nodes and two ELIXIR communities. 2025-2026 Not applicable ELIXIR ACCESS DISCOVERY DOCUMENTATION INFRASTRUCTURE METADATA STANDARDS FEGA-Connect | A consortium of six ELIXIR nodes plus the Polish FEGA node (in-kind contribution) joining forces to build a solid base to develop solutions for effective multi-omic sensitive data integration between FEGA nodes and other infrastructures and specialised Data repositories. We aim to promote a more coherent data deposition, discoverability and retrieval of multi-omics datasets, providing FAIRer data and consequently accelerating research. 2025-2026 Multi-omics data ELIXIR ACCESS DATA MANAGEMENT DISCOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE METADATA STANDARDS IMPaCT-Data 2 | IMPaCT-Data 2 will develop a digital platform for the integration and modelling of biomedical data associated with IMPaCT (Precision Medicine Infrastructure associated with Science and Technology) projects in Spain. It will deploy a sustainable infrastructure that facilitates the integration, standardisation, interoperability and analysis of clinical, genomic, molecular and medical imaging data. This platform will be aligned with European projects such as Genome of Europe (GoE), the first project to make use of the European Genomic Data Infrastructure (GDI), and EUCAIM. IMPaCT-Data 2 will benefit from advanced Artificial Intelligence and High Computing Capacity Systems capabilities, offering robust and accessible tools for researchers from the National Health System in Spain. 2025-2026 Large-scale genomics and health data; personalised medicine Instituto de Salud Carlos III ACCESS DISCOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE METADATA STANDARDS ERDERA | The European Rare Disease Research Alliance (ERDERA) takes over EJPRD to deliver concrete health benefits to rare disease patients in the next decade by advancing prevention, diagnosis and treatment research. To leave no one behind, over 170 organisations championed by the European Union and member states are working hand in hand to make Europe a world leader in rare diseases research and innovation. 2024-2034 Rare diseases Horizon Europe; "La Caixa" Foundation cofunds CRG's contribution ACCESS DATA ANALYSIS DISCOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE GoE | The Genome of Europe initiative aims to build a European network of national genomic reference cohorts of at least 500.000 citizens. These reference cohorts will be selected to be representative of the European population. 2024-2028 Large-scale genomic and health data Horizon Europe ACCESS DISCOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE METADATA STANDARDS HEREDITARY | HEREDITARY aims to transform the way we approach disease detection, prepare treatment response, and explore medical knowledge by building a robust, interoperable, trustworthy, and secure framework that integrates multimodal health data (including genetic data) while ensuring compliance with cross-national privacy-preserving policies. 2024-2027 Neurodegenerative disorders, gut-brain interplay Horizon Europe DATA MANAGEMENT DATA ANALYSIS EOSC-ENTRUST | The mission of EOSC-ENTRUST is to create a European network of trusted research environments for sensitive data and to drive European interoperability by joint development of a common blueprint for federated data access and analysis. 2024-2026 Trusted Research Environment Horizon Europe INFRASTRUCTURE EBV-MS | "Targeting Epstein-Barr Virus Infection for Treatment and Prevention of Multiple Sclerosis". The ambitious goals of the project are to answer the questions why only a few EBV infected persons develop MS, and define the underlying mechanism of this process, as well as clarify if targeting the EBV infection can prevent MS or improve the disease course. 2023-2028 Viral-host genetics; immune response; disease modelling; Disease prevention Horizon Europe DATA MANAGEMENT DATA ANALYSIS WISDOM | WELL-BEING IMPROVEMENT THROUGH THE INTEGRATION OF HEALTHCARE AND RESEARCH DATA AND MODELS WITHOUT BORDER FOR CHRONIC IMMUNE-MEDIATED DISEASES aims to deploy novel approaches for data processing, harmonisation, management, and secure data sharing and federated access for diseases like multiple sclerosis. Using an end-user guided approach, it will facilitate responsible and critical assessment of the use of AI in healthcare. 2023-2028 Chronic immune-mediated diseases Horizon Europe DATA MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE EUCAIM | EUropean Federation for CAncer IMages is a project that will build a highly secure, federated and large-scale European cancer imaging platform, with capabilities that will greatly enhance the potential of Artificial Intelligence in oncology. 2023-2027 Cancer Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) DISCOVERY CONTAGIO | CONTAGIO (COhorts Network To be Activated Globally In Outbreaks) aims to create coordination mechanisms to rapidly react to infectious disease (re-)emergence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). 2023-2026 Infectious Diseases European Commission - Horizon Europe ACCESS DATA MANAGEMENT DISCOVERY Youth-GEMs | Youth-GEMS (Gene Environment Interactions in Mental Health TrajectorieS of Youth) will conduct research into the genetic and environmental factors of mental health in young European people. 2022-2027 Mental health European Commission - Horizon Europe DATA MANAGEMENT DISCOVERY GDI | The European Genomics Data Infrastructure project is enabling access to genomic and related phenotypic and clinical data across Europe. It is doing this by establishing a federated, sustainable and secure infrastructure to access the data. 2022-2026 Genomic and health data European Commission - Horizon Europe; "La Caixa" Foundation cofunds CRG's contribution DISCOVERY DOCUMENTATION INFRASTRUCTURE EOSC4Cancer | EOSC4Cancer builds on existing projects, research outcomes and established community solutions to create the federated FAIR data, analysis and services infrastructure needed for European Cancer research programmes. 2022-2025 Cancer European Commission - Horizon Europe DISCOVERY IMPaCT-T2D | The IMPaCT-T2D project aims at studying the complete genomes of a large cohort of patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2D), using modern sequencing technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in order to improve the stratification and pharmacological treatment in the context of precision medicine. 2022-2025 Cardiovascular and Complex Diseases Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation; Instituto de Salud Carlos III ACCESS DATA MANAGEMENT DISCOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE EuCanImage | A European Cancer Image Platform Linked to Biological and Health Data for Next-Generation Artificial Intelligence and Precision Medicine in Oncology. 2020-2025 AI Solutions in Oncology European Commission - H2020 Programme; "La Caixa" Foundation cofunds CRG's contribution DATA MANAGEMENT METADATA STANDARDS GenoMed4ALL | A consortium built to empower personalised medicine in the field of haematological diseases through the use of AI and the pooling of genomic and clinical data. 2020-2025 Hematological diseases European Commission - H2020 Programme DISCOVERY METADATA STANDARDS Completed projects Project Duration Domain Funder Tags BY-COVID | The BeYond-COVID project aims to make COVID-19 data accessible to scientists in laboratories but also to anyone who can use it, such as medical staff in hospitals or government officials. Going beyond SARS-CoV-2 data, the project will provide a framework for making data from other infectious diseases open and accessible to everyone. 2021-2024 Infectious diseases European Commission - H2020 Programme ACCESS DATA MANAGEMENT DISCOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE IMPaCT-Data | IMPaCT-Data aims to create the infrastructure for secondary use of data from Spanish healthcare systems - electronic health records, medical imaging and genomic repositories - and contribute with the knowledge and methodology produced to the healthcare system. 2021-2024 Large-scale genomics and health dataSpanish Ministry of Science and Innovation; Instituto de Salud Carlos III ACCESS DATA MANAGEMENT DISCOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE LaMarató | It is a project aimed at creating and developing a catalan interhospitalary network to interrogate genetic variants from thousands of genetic tests carried out in patients with rare diseases from the main catalan hospitals. 2021-2024 Genomic and health data Fundació La Marató de TV3 (catalan foundation) DISCOVERY HealthyCloud | This consortium will contribute a Strategic Agenda towards the European Health Research and Innovation Cloud. The project will work in collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure that all voices are included and that the results are technically and ethically sound. 2021-2023 Not Applicable European Commission - H2020 Programme DOCUMENTATION B1MG | Beyond 1 Million Genomes aims to create a network of genetic and clinical data across Europe. The project provides coordination and support to the 1+ Million Genomes Initiative (1+MG). This initiative is a commitment of 24 EU countries, the UK and Norway to give cross-border access to one million sequenced genomes by 2022. 2020-2023 Not applicable European Commission - Horizon Europe DATA MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE METADATA STANDARDS ELIXIR-CONVERGE | An alliance with the goal of Connecting and aligning ELIXIR Nodes to deliver sustainable FAIR life-science data management services. 2020-2023 Data Management and Infectious Diseases European Commission - H2020 Programme DATA MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE METADATA STANDARDS IHCC | The International HundredK+ Cohorts Consortium aims to create a global platform for translational research – informing the biological and genetic basis for disease and improving clinical care and population health. 2020-2022 Translational research NIH; The Wellcome Trust; CZI INFRASTRUCTURE METADATA STANDARDS PPCG | The Pan Prostate Cancer Group aims to harmonise and interrogate Whole Genome DNA Sequence data generated around the world from over 2000 men with prostate cancer, with associated transcriptome and methylome data to include men from different clinical categories, and ethnicities. This project is about providing breakthrough advances through analysis of a very large series of Whole Genome DNA data from prostate cancer contributed by many of the leading scientists and clinicians working in prostate cancer genomics. 2019-2024 Cancer Cancer Research UK DATA MANAGEMENT CINECA | Consortium providing a Federated solution enabling population-scale genomic and biomolecular data accessible across international borders accelerating research and improving the health of individuals resident across continents. 2019-2023 Large-scale Genomics and Health Data European Commission - H2020 Programme ACCESS DATA MANAGEMENT DISCOVERY INFRASTRUCTURE EASI-Genomics | A project designed to provide easy access to cutting-edge DNA sequencing technologies to researchers from academia and industry, within a framework that ensures compliance with ethical and legal requirements, as well as FAIR and secure data management. 2019-2023 Next Generation Sequencing European Commission - H2020 Programme ACCESS EJP-RD | An European consortium built to create a comprehensive, sustainable ecosystem allowing a virtuous circle between research, care, and medical innovation. 2019-2023 Rare diseases European Commission - H2020 Programme ACCESS DATA MANAGEMENT DOCUMENTATION METADATA STANDARDS EOSC-Life | EOSC-Life brings together the 13 Life Science research infrastructures (LS RIs) to create an open, digital and collaborative space for biological and medical research. The project will publish 'FAIR' data and a catalogue of services provided by participating RIs for the management, storage and reuse of data in the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). 2019-2023 Not applicable European Commission - H2020 Programme DOCUMENTATION EUCANCan | A federated network aiming at implementing a cultural, technological and legal integrated framework across Europe and Canada, to enable and facilitate the efficient sharing of cancer genomic data. 2019-2023 Cancer European Commission - H2020 Programme DATA MANAGEMENT METADATA STANDARDS The Federated EGA framework: supporting sensitive data management across the ELIXIR Nodes | This project is a direct continuation of the FHD IS with the goal to position the FEGA framework as the core infrastructure driver to support human data sharing for research. 2019-2023 Human genomic data ELIXIR INFRASTRUCTURE UK Biobank | UK Biobank is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource, containing in-depth genetic and health information from half a million UK participants. This project is to archive whole genome sequencing and other genetic data for UK Biobank participants. 2019-2023 Large-scale Genomics and Health Data The Wellcome Trust; UKRI; Amgen; AstraZeneca; GSK; Johnson & Johnson DATA MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE VEIS | The core mission of VEIS is to create an open ecosystem of technologies that will address and adapt to the requirements of the systems used to analyse and interpret -omics and clinical data in research and application environments in biomedicine. The aim of the project is to leverage the value of the EGA for both industry and society. 2019-2022 Oncology and Rare diseases Generalitat de Catalunya and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) ACCESS DISCOVERY ELIXIR BEACON IS | This study follows on from a number of earlier activities that have established the ELIXIR Beacon Project. The main aim is to extend the Beacon protocol, developed at EGA, to become the reference ELIXIR Data Discovery product 2019-2021 Not applicable ELIXIR DISCOVERY ELIXIR FHD IS | This project coordinates the delivery of FAIR compliant metadata standards, interfaces, and reference implementation to support the federated ELIXIR network of human data resources. 2019-2021 Human genomic data ELIXIR INFRASTRUCTURE ELIXIR Rare Disease | The Rare Disease Community extends and generalises the system of access authorisation and high volume secure data transfer developed within the EGA. The goal of the Community is to create a federated infrastructure that will enable researchers to discover, access and analyse different rare disease repositories across Europe. It is doing this in partnership with other European infrastructure projects, namely RD-CONNECT, BBMRI-ERIC and E-Rare.2019-2021 Rare diseases ELIXIR INFRASTRUCTURE Solve-RD | Solve-RD - solving the unsolved rare diseases - is a research project funded by the European Commission. It echoes the ambitious goals set out by the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) to deliver diagnostic tests for most rare diseases by 2020. The current diagnostic and subsequent therapeutic management of rare diseases is still highly unsatisfactory for a large proportion of rare disease patients - the unsolved RD cases. For these unsolved rare diseases, we are unable to explain the etiology responsible for the disease phenotype, predict the individual disease risk and/or rate of disease progression, and/or quantitate the risk of relatives to develop the same disorder. 2018-2024 Rare diseases European Commission - H2020 Programme ACCESS DATA MANAGEMENT METADATA STANDARDS EuCanShare | An EU-Canada joint infrastructure for next-generation multi-Study Heart research. 2018-2022 Cardiovascular Diseases European Commission - H2020 Programme ACCESS METADATA STANDARDS

Documentation about/projects-and-funders/projects

Assessment of Health-related Quality of Life in Rare Kidney Stones

The purpose of this study is to learn about Health-related Quality Of Life (HRQoL) in patients enrolled in the Rare Kidney Stone Consortium (RKSC) registries. Quality of life studies look at different aspects of both physical and mental components of people's lives. HRQoL data for people affected by kidney stones are not currently available for people followed over time. All participants enrolled in the RKSC registries will be invited, via email or postal mail, to participate in this study. Health-related quality of life in people with rare kidney stones enrolled in the RKSC registries will be measured. Instruments used in this study are the SF-10 for pediatric participants and SF-36v2 for adult participants. The surveys will be completed online. Participants without a computer or internet access will participate using a paper version of the survey. These surveys will be done at enrollment and annually thereafter. The SF-36v2 includes 36 questions and is estimated to take 15 minutes for its completion, while the SF-10 includes 10 questions and could be completed in 5 minutes. The research questions are: Assessment of HRQoL in patients with rare kidney stones. Comparison of HRQoL results between rare kidney stone formers, general population and other populations with relevant chronic diseases. Comparison of HRQoL results in the same populations affected by different stones and analyzed with attention to the effects of various factors included in the disease registry, such as stone activity, burden of urologic interventions, medication and other treatments. Evaluation of HRQoL and its trends over time in patients undergoing treatment for rare kidney stones. About this study: The plan is to have 400 participants from all four registries take part in this multi-center study. The assessment of your HRQoL will be done annually for 5 years.

Study phs001770

NINDS-Genome-Wide Genotyping in Parkinson's Disease: First Stage Analysis and Public Release of Data

Epidemiological studies have estimated a cumulative prevalence of PD of greater than 1 per thousand. When prevalence is limited to senior populations, this proportion increases nearly 10-fold. The estimated genetic risk ratio for PD is approximately 1.7 (70% increased risk for PD if a sibling has PD) for all ages, and increases over 7-fold for those under age 66 years. The role for genes contributing to the risk of PD is therefore significant. This study utilized the well characterized collection of North American Caucasians with Parkinson's disease, and neurologically normal controls from the sample population which are banked in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS Repository) collection for a first stage whole genome analysis. Genome-wide, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping of these publicly available samples was originally done in 267 Parkinson's disease patients and 270 controls, and this has been extended to include genome wide genotyping in 939 Parkinson's disease cases and 802 controls. The NINDS repository was established in 10-2001 towards the goal of developing standardized, broadly useful diagnostic and other clinical data and a collection of DNA and cell line samples to further advances in gene discovery of neurological disorders. All samples, phenotypic, and genotypic data are available to the research community including to academics and industry scientists. In addition, well characterized neurologically normal control subjects are a part of the collection. This collection formed the basis of this first stage study by Fung et al., and the expanded study by Simon-Sanchez et al. The genotyping data was generated and provided by the laboratory of Dr. Andrew Singleton NIA, and Dr. John Hardy NIA (NIH Intramural, funding from NIA and NINDS). Important links to apply for individual-level data Data Use Certification Requirements (DUC) Apply here for controlled access to individual level data Participant Protection Policy FAQ

Study phs000089

Whole Exome Sequencing of Calcitonin Producing Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (CT-pNENs) Indicates a Unique Molecular Signature

Calcitonin-producing pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (CT-pNENs), which can mimic clinical and laboratory features of medullary thyroid carcinoma, are an extremely rare clinical entity with approximately 60 cases reported worldwide. The molecular profile of CT-pNENs is not yet known. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on tumor and corresponding serum samples of five patients with increased calcitonin serum levels and histologically proven calcitonin-positive CT-pNENs. cBioPortal analysis and gene enrichment analysis with DAVID were performed to validate candidate genes. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect protein expression of MUC4 and MUC16 in CT-pNEN specimens. Common somatic mutations of pNENs like MEN1, ATRX and PIK3CA were identified in cases of CT-pNENs. New somatic SNVs in ATP4A, HES4, and CAV3 have not yet been described in CT-pNENs. Pathogenic germline mutations in FGFR4 and DPYD were found in three of five cases. Mutations of CALCA (calcitonin) and the corresponding receptor CALCAR were found in all five tumor samples, but none of them resulted in clinical or protein sequelae. All five tumor cases showed single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in MUC4, and four cases showed SNVs in MUC16, both of which were membrane-bound mucins. Immunohistochemistry showed protein expression of MUC4 and MUC16 in one case each, and the liver metastasis of a third case was double positive for MUC4 and MUC16. The homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) score of all tumors was low.CT-pNENs have a unique molecular signature compared to other pNEN subtypes, specifically involving the FGFR4, DPYD, MUC4, MUC16 and the KRT family genes. However, these WES data from only five cases must be interpreted with caution because causal interpretation of the mutational landscape in CT-pNENs is difficult. Further research is needed to explain differences in pathogenesis compared with other pNENs. In particular, multi-omics data such as RNASeq, methylation, and whole genome sequencing could be informative.

Study phs003060

Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE): Multiethnic Cohort (MEC)

The Multiethnic Cohort (MEC) has established a large biorepository of blood and urine (N=67,000) and cryopreserved lymphocytes (N=15,000) linked to extensive, prospectively collected risk factors (e.g., diet, smoking, physical activity), biomarkers and clinical data for five racial/ethnic groups. This cohort study of over 215,000 men and women in Hawaii and California is unique in that it is population-based and includes large representations of older adults (45-75 yrs at baseline) for five US racial/ethnic groups (Japanese Americans, African Americans, European Americans, Latinos and Native Hawaiians) at varying risks of chronic diseases. Within the PAGE investigation, the MEC proposes to study: 1) diseases for which we have DNA available for large numbers of cases and controls (breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, diabetes, and obesity); 2) important cancers that are less common (e.g., lung, pancreas, endometrial cancers, NHL) but for which we propose to pool our data with other funded groups; 3) common traits that are risk factors for these diseases (e.g., body mass index/weight, waist-to-hip ratio, height) and 4) relevant disease-associated biomarkers (e.g., fasting insulin and lipids, steroid hormones). The specific aims are: 1) To determine the population-based epidemiologic profile (allele frequency, main effect, heterogeneity by disease characteristics) of putative causal variants in the five racial/ethnic groups in the MEC; 2) for variants displaying effect heterogeneity across ethnic/racial groups, we will utilize differences in LD to identify a more complete spectrum of associated variants at these loci; 3) investigate gene x gene and gene x environment interactions to identify modifiers; 4) examine the associations of putative causal variants with already measured intermediate phenotypes (e.g., plasma insulin, lipids, steroid hormones); and 5) for variants that do not fall within known genes, start to investigate their relationships with gene expression and epigenetic patterns in small genomic studies. This study is part of the Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) study phs000356.

Study phs000220

Genome-wide Association Study for Non-syndromic Clefts in the African Population: CIDR

The focus of this project is to identify genetic variants that are associated with orofacial clefts in African populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Most genetic studies of CLP (including the vast majority of GWAS) have been conducted in populations of European origin with only a few focused on Asian or African populations. We choose to study the genetics of these complex traits in African populations because, African populations have the greatest genetic variation amongst the various populations in the world by virtue of being the primary ancestral population to modern humans (Cavalli-Sforza and Feldman, 2003; Ramsay et al., 2011). Therefore, the potential for finding novel loci for CLP is quite high. To date 6 genome wide association studies (GWAS) for cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) have been conducted and 18 risk loci identified (Birnbaum et al., 2009; Grant et al., 2009 ; Beaty et al., 2010; Mangold et al., 2010; Ludwig et al., 2012; Sun et al., 2015). All these studies have either been conducted in European populations, Asian populations or both. There is currently no published GWAS for clefts in African populations. African populations represent a novel and richly productive populations for genetic and environmental exposure studies for CL/P. Investigating the presence of genetic variants in diverse population groups can identify novel variants and candidate genes that are population specific. Environmental factors may also increase the risks in certain population groups due to genetic susceptibility and/or specific exposures. Understanding the role these susceptibility genes play in the effects of environmental risk factors can inform strategies designed towards reducing the outcome of these complex traits, e.g. through the modification of the environmental influences. The study population comprises a large number of individuals (3205 individuals) from Africa (Ghana, Ethiopia and Nigeria). There are cases, case triads (nuclear families), as well as controls with no history of OFC nor other developmental defects.

Study phs001090

Metagenomic Analysis to Identify Novel Infectious Agents in Systemic Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Risk of systemic ALCL is markedly increased among immunosuppressed people, such as those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or solid organ transplant recipients. This increased risk in immunosuppressed populations suggests a viral etiology, given similar elevations for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), Burkitt lymphoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma (caused by Epstein-Barr virus [EBV]) and other virus-related cancers in immunosuppressed individuals. EBV might be a plausible candidate, but most reported ALCL tumors are EBV-negative. Therefore, we conducted a metagenomic analysis of microbial associations with ALCL to determine whether a known or novel pathogen is associated with the tumor. We obtained archived formal fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) ALCL tumor tissue from the Iowa cancer registry and an additional case from an immunosuppressed individual infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Controls included 3 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) in transplant recipients (shown to be related to Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] by in situ hybridization) and 3 breast cancers (no known viral etiology). RNA was extracted from FFPE specimens, and total RNA libraries were prepared using the KAPA RNA HyperPrep Kit (Roche). Five samples (IA01, IA53, IA57, IA07, and IA17) were sequenced on a NextSeq 500 (Illumina) and the remainder on a NovSeq 6000 (Illumina). Using novel computational approaches, we eliminated human reads and aligned residual non-human reads to known microbial references using GATK-PathSeq or conducted de novo assembly of unassigned reads using virID pipeline. Although EBV was detected in the 3 DLBCL controls, we did not detect EBV or any novel pathogen in ALCL tumors or in the breast cancers. Our study had a modest sample size and only one case arising in HIV-infected individual. Therefore, further studies are required to characterize the metagenome of systemic ALCLs, especially cases arising in immunosuppressed people.

Study phs002064

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

The Sea Islands Genetic Network (SIGNET): Identifying genetic contributors to diabetes and dyslipidemia in African Americans

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified genetic variants that influence diabetes risk in European populations, however most do not have a major impact on diabetes risk in populations of African descent. The African American (AA) population from the Sea Islands of coastal South Carolina and Georgia has high rates of type 2 diabetes, low levels of admixture, and in general, consume a diet rich in saturated fats. We postulate that this unique combination of ancestral and environmental factors results in a more consistent penetrance of diabetes risk alleles, as well as enrichment of risk alleles of African origin. The existing DNA samples and rich phenotypic data from the Sea Island Families Project comprise a unique resource for genetic studies of type 2 diabetes and related metabolic traits such as dyslipidemia. Our central hypothesis is that the increased risk for T2DM in AA compared with European American (EA) is due, in part, to susceptibility alleles of African origin, and that these alleles can be identified using a GWAS. The Specific Aims are to: 1) Identify genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes utilizing DNA samples and data from the Sea Island Families Project, Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study recruited from SC, GA, NC, and AL; and a GWAS approach; 2) Identify genetic contributors to lipoprotein subclasses in African Americans using the lipoprotein subclass profile (particle size and concentration for multiple subclasses of VLDL, LDL, and HDL) assessed by NMR at LipoScience, Inc., and the GWAS data from Aim 1. The rationale for this project is that identification and validation of novel pathophysiological pathways and informed selection of candidate genes for diabetes risk will inform development of new, targeted prevention and treatment strategies in this underserved, high risk population.

Study phs000433

National Institute on Aging - Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease Family Study: Genome-Wide Association Study for Susceptibility Loci

Alzheimer disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of the elderly affecting an estimated five million Americans. Genetic factors contribute to the risk for disease with heritability estimates ranging from 57% to 79%. More than a decade ago, the ε4 variant of APOE was identified and remains the most consistently replicated genetic variant influencing the risk of late onset Alzheimer disease. A segregation analysis suggests there may be four additional genes influencing the age-at-onset of Alzheimer disease. In 2007 there were 968 association studies in 398 candidate genes reported, but none replicated consistently. There are many reasons for the lack of consistency, but one important reason for the lack of progress is the paucity of a sufficient number of well characterized families and patients available to the entire scientific community. The extensive effort and expense required to ascertain such a population has been addressed by the NIA-LOAD Family Study. Its goal is to identify and recruit families with two or more siblings with the late-onset form of Alzheimer's disease and a cohort of unrelated, non-demented controls similar in age and ethnic background, and to make the samples, the clinical and genotyping data and preliminary analyses available to qualified investigators world-wide. Genotyping by the Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) was performed using the Illumina Infinium II assay protocol with hybridization to Illumina Human 610Quadv1_B Beadchips. This genotyping represents the largest collection of families ever assembled with Alzheimer's disease combining the NIA-LOAD Genetics Initiative Multiplex Family Study, the National Cell Repository for Alzheimer's Disease (NCRAD) with additional controls from the University of Kentucky. These genotyping results will serve as a focal point for future research that will identify all of the remaining genetic variants in Alzheimer's disease.

Study phs000168

Foundation Medicine Adult Cancer Clinical Dataset (FM-AD)

The Foundation Medicine adult cancer clinical dataset consists of 18,004 unique solid tumor samples that underwent genomic profiling on a single uniform platform as part of standard clinical care. The dataset is derived from the FoundationOne® genomic profiling assay version 2 that interrogates exonic regions of 287 cancer-related genes and selected introns from 19 genes known to undergo rearrangements in human cancer. Genomic DNA samples were sequenced to over 500x median coverage, and custom computational analyses identified all classes of genomic alterations (base substitutions, insertions and deletions, copy number alterations, and rearrangements). Since matched normal tissue was unavailable for analysis, these data underwent additional filtering to enrich for cancer-related events. The reported data includes genomic alterations that are known and suspected tumor drivers, as well as variants of unknown significance. To preserve patient anonymity, all known or suspected germline variants were removed from the data unless known to be associated with cancer development. The dataset contains genomic alteration profiles generated by FoundationOne version 2 testing for adult cancer patients (over 18 y.o.), and represents a vast diversity of tumor subtypes, including many rare diseases not profiled as part of large-scale profiling efforts. Cases are grouped into 16 broad disease categories containing tumors from 162 unique disease subtypes. Since specimens were profiled as part of clinical care, limited clinical parameters were available, including age, gender, tissue of origin, % of tumor nuclei, and diagnosis. Publication of this dataset is intended to allow the broad scientific community access to this unique cohort for use in scientific research projects of common and rare types of cancer, both for generating leads regarding causal mechanisms as well as cross-testing and confirming existing hypotheses. A pediatric cancer clinical dataset consisting of data from 1,215 patients under 18 y.o. is available separately at: FOUNDATION MEDICINE

Study phs001179

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), Family Study of Essential Tremor (FASET), Identification of Susceptibility Genes for Essential Tremor

The Familial Study of Essential Tremor (FASET) was designed to identify susceptibility genes for Essential Tremor. ET is among the most common neurological diseases with a prevalence (age > 40 years) estimated to be 4.0% and prevalence in advanced age (> 90 years) exceeding 20%. ET, often referred to as "familial tremor", is generally regarded as a highly genetic disorder with families, with affected members over multiple generations, and twin studies show high concordance among monozygotic twins. Probands (affected with ET) and relatives were enrolled in a family study of ET at Columbia University, New York between 2011 - 2014. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Columbia University and written informed consent was obtained from all enrollees. The criteria for enrollment were: 1) the proband had early-onset ET with age at onset < 50 years, 2) the proband had a diagnosis of definite or probable ET, 3) in addition to the proband, there were at least two affected relatives in the family, 4) additional affected and unaffected family members were willing to participate in the study, and 5) the families contained more than two affected individuals in different generations. Blood samples were also collected for genetic research. For the genetic analyses, we excluded enrollees that we or others had diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) or dystonia. The final sample includes 52 families (52 probands [affected with ET]) and 155 relatives). The number of affected individuals enrolled per family ranged from 3 - 7 (mean = 4.1). Genetic samples from FASET were analyzed with whole genome SNP genotyping (for linkage analyses) and whole exome sequencing. It is hoped that this resource will better help researchers to understand the genetic causes of ET and underlying disease pathogenesis.

Study phs000966

Functional Significance of Prostate Cancer Risk-SNPs

Prostate Cancer (PrCa), the most frequently diagnosed solid tumor in men in the U.S., results in ~192,000 new cases and ~27,000 deaths per year. Although the variation of PrCa incidence is likely to be the result of several factors, there is a large body of literature that strongly implicates a genetic etiology. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have emerged as the most widely used contemporary approach to identify genetic variants (in particular SNPs) that are associated with increased risk of human disease. For PrCa, at least five GWAS have now been performed yielding a substantial number of well-validated SNPs that are associated with an increased risk of PrCa, and that number continues to grow. A significant problem for many of the PrCa risk-SNPs identified so far, however, is that they do not lie within or near a known gene and they have no obvious functional properties. These findings suggest that many (if not most) of these risk-SNPs will be located in regulatory regions that control gene expression rather than in coding regions that may directly affect protein function. Therefore, in order to define the functional role of currently known risk-SNPs, the target genes must first be identified. A promising strategy to address this problem involves the use of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis. Unfortunately, most of the publically available SNP-Transcript eQTL datasets utilize lymphoblastoid cells with only a handful using tissue from target organs. Although useful, these datasets alone are unlikely to be sufficient. Recent studies have demonstrated that gene expression and gene regulation occur in both a tissue-specific and tissue independent fashion and suggest that a complete repertoire of regulatory SNPs can only be uncovered in the context of cell type specificity. To date, such a tissue-specific dataset for normal prostate tissue does not exist. In this study, we have constructed a normal prostate tissue specific eQTL data set.

Study phs000985

ARDSnet and the iSPAAR Consortium: Genomic Basis of Susceptibility and Outcomes in Patients with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)/ Acute Lung Injury (ALI) is a syndrome defined by the presence of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiograph, a known clinical risk factor (e.g. sepsis, pneumonia, trauma, gastric fluid aspiration, pancreatitis, massive transfusion), and the absence of physiologic or clinical evidence of congestive heart failure. The Identification of SNPs Predisposing to Altered ALI Risk (iSPAAR) study is a multi-institutional cooperative study, funded through the NHLBI Recovery Act, that assembled samples and phenotype information from existing cohorts. The consortium included samples from patients with ARDS from the NIH NHLBI ARDS Clinical Trials Network (ARDSNet). Samples were obtained from 3 interventional treatment trials in patients with ARDS, including the Fluid and Catheter Treatment Trial (FACTT), the Albuterol to Treat Acute Lung Injury (ALTA) trial, and the Omega-3 Fatty Acid/Antioxidant Supplementation for ALI trial (Omega). In addition to ARDSnet samples, samples from the other cohorts included cases of established ARDS but also controls: critically ill patients who were at-risk for ARDS but who did not develop ARDS during their hospital course. These cohorts included the Molecular Epidemiology of Acute Respiratory Distress (MEA) Study enrolled at the Harvard University/Massachusetts General Hospital, the Systemic Inflammatory Immune Response Syndrome (SIRS) Patient Database and ICU Traumatic Injury cohorts from Harborview Medical Center, and cohorts collected from the ALI research programs at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California, San Francisco. The Cohort is utilized in the following dbGaP sub-studies. To view genotypes, other molecular data, and derived variables collected in these sub-studies, please click on the following sub-studies below or in the "Sub-studies" box located on the right hand side of this top-level study page phs000631 ARDSnet iSPAAR Consortium. phs000334 ESP_LungGO_ALI phs000686 ALI_GeneticRisk

Study phs000631

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

Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI): Genomic Analysis in Pediatric Malignancies

Pediatric solid tumors are highly heterogeneous, encompassing a large number of histotypes. The genomic landscape of these diseases is characterized by few single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) compared to adult cancers. In contrast, many exhibit a high prevalence of structural or epigenetic changes that alter gene expression, underlining the need for comprehensive genomic approaches such as whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Several studies have specifically addressed the clinical utility of genomic analysis in the pediatric and AYA cancer setting. Review of these studies point to key challenges that must be addressed in order to advance the routine use of genomics in this population. We have established a large collection of solid tumor tissue samples through our biobanking efforts. Where possible, we obtain longitudinal samples from the same patient. These primary patient samples and their corresponding germline have been analyzed using whole genome and whole transcriptome sequencing methods and have been linked to clinical metadata using both manual curation and robust methods for automatic extraction from the electronic health record (EHR). Importantly, research-grade genomic analysis is performed in parallel to our CLIA-grade sequencing (“UCSF500”) efforts for some of the patients in this study cohort and have been submitted as part of the American Association for Cancer Research's project GENIE and/or the National Childhood Cancer Registry. For our sequenced tumor samples, we have retrospective clinical data and ongoing efforts to prospectively record key events throughout the patient's cancer journey. In our solid tumor program, we have developed many patient-derived xenograft models and a number of PDX-derived cell lines. These unique models have been evaluated using genomic and functional approaches including (in some cases) treatment with conventional chemotherapy or investigational agents. Lastly, these samples were collected from a population that is among the most diverse in the nation and includes significant numbers of Asian, Latino, Indigenous and African-American patients, groups that are traditionally underrepresented in many banking efforts.

Study phs002430

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

GATA2 Deficiency and the MonoMAC Syndrome

The aim of this study was to identify the germline mutation(s) in an extended family with individuals having MonoMAC Syndrome/GATA2 deficiency but lacking a canonical GATA2 mutation. GATA2 deficiency patients develop bone marrow failure, severe immunodeficiency and may progress to myeloid malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). The definitive treatment for GATA2 deficiency is a bone marrow transplant. Approximately 90% of GATA2 deficiency patients have a known de novo or inherited germline mutation in the GATA2 gene, but ~10% have no identified mutation. The study was initiated with the first patient and her second cousin, both of whom were treated for MonoMAC Syndrome and received bone marrow transplants at the NIH. Pedigree analysis and clinical evaluation identified the individuals in several generations of these patients' near and distant relatives who are/were presenting or carrying the disease manifestations of GATA2 deficiency. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was employed on these patients' two related nuclear families to identify variants that segregated with the disease trait and carrier status of their families. Genotyping was confirmed with direct DNA sequencing of these and other family members within the extended family across generations. A single base adenine-to-thymidine change was identified in a highly conserved enhancer element ~117,000 bp upstream of the GATA2 gene. It creates a new Composite Element, a DNA motif known to be critical in the regulation of hematopoiesis. This variant is unique to this family and is not present in dbSNP or other variant databases. It segregates with the disease trait and obligate carriers throughout a large pedigree. In vitro studies show that this variant drives allele-specific overexpression of the GATA2 gene in cultured cells and luciferase assays. The WGS sequence from the nuclear families will be shared on dbGaP.

Study phs003269

Adult Eosinophilic Esophagitis Registry Atlas

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) arises in the setting of type 2 cytokine-driven inflammation, is characterized by the infiltration of eosinophils in the esophageal mucosa, and is associated with dysphagia and fibrostenotic complications. Disease development and progression involve complex interactions between epithelial cells, stromal cells and immune cells. Indeed, increased epithelial permeability is consistently found in EoE, potentially leading to increased antigen exposure and inflammation. Persistent inflammation can in turn lead to fibroblast activation and fibrosis, which, together with the mediators produced by eosinophils and mast cells, leads to dysmotility. To decipher the interactions between these cell types across distinct disease states, we obtained biopsies from 7 healthy controls and 15 EoE subjects, including both active disease and clinical remission, to perform single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq).Each biopsy sample was enzymatically digested within 3 hours of collection with collagenase/dispase to generate a single cell suspension. Suspensions were then loaded on a 10x Chromium controller, and libraries were generated with the 3' Chemistry pipeline (v2 or v3) before sequencing on an Illumina sequencer. The resulting sequence data was demultiplexed and analyzed with the CellRanger pipeline to generate raw fastq files and processed gene-count matrices for each sample. Altogether, our study generated transcriptomic profiles from 421,312 individual cells after quality control and filtering.Our analyses reveal 60 cell subsets and functional alterations in cell states, compositions, and interactions that highlight previously unknown features of EoE. Active disease displayed enrichment of ALOX15+ macrophages, novel PRDM16+ dendritic cells expressing the EoE risk gene ATP10A, and cycling mast cells, with concomitant reduction of TH17 cells. Receptor–ligand expression uncovered eosinophil recruitment programs, increased fibroblast interactions in disease, and IL-9+IL-4+IL-13+TH2 and endothelial cells as potential mast cell interactors. Resolution of inflammation-associated signatures included mast and CD4+ Tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cell contraction and cell type-specific downregulation of eosinophil chemoattractant, growth, and survival factors.

Study phs003574

Genomic Basis of Phenotypic Variability of Complex Disorders

The 520-kbp deletion on chromosome 16p12.1 is associated with multiple neurodevelopmental outcomes, including intellectual disability/developmental delay (ID/DD), schizophrenia, autism, and epilepsy. This variant is inherited in >95% of cases from carrier parents manifesting neuropsychiatric features, while affected children with the deletion were more likely to carry another large Copy Number Variation (CNV) or rare deleterious mutation elsewhere in the genome, or "second-hits", compared to carrier parents. Thus, while the 16p12.1 deletion confers significant risk for a range of disorders, the ultimate phenotypic trajectory is determined by "second-hit" variants in the genetic background. However, outstanding questions remain about the genetic background in these disorders, including the functional effects of "second-hit" variants towards gene expression or developmental phenotypes, the full spectrum of "second-hit" variants, and the mechanisms driving accumulation of these variants.In version 1, we performed deep clinical phenotyping, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), SNP microarray analysis, and RNA-sequencing of lymphoblastoid cell lines of 32 individuals in five large families with the 16p12.1 deletion. We found that specific classes of rare single-nucleotide and structural variants in coding and non-coding regions contributed towards expression changes in affected children based on their inheritance patterns, including a subset of variants that acted synergistically with the deletion to alter expression. We further found that rare variant-mediated expression changes contribute to specific developmental phenotypes in the carrier children, suggesting a potential genetic mechanism for variable expressivity of the deletion.In version 2, we additionally analyzed genetic and phenotypic data from individuals with 16p12.1 deletion and their spouses to assess the role of assortative mating modulating phenotypic outcomes of the 16p12.1 deletion. We identified significant within- and cross- disorder phenotypic correlations between spouses, but observed no significant genetic correlations between spouses, in line with expectations.

Study phs002450

A prospective study identifies MisMatch Repair genes as candidate predisposing genes for uveal melanoma.

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify new predisposing genes for uveal melanoma (UM), the most common intraocular malignancy in adults. Design: Prospective cohort study from Institut Curie. Participants: 381 unselected patients diagnosed with UM between July 2021 and February 2023 at Institut Curie. Methods: All patients received genetic counseling and consented to extended genetic testing. A panel of 122 genes was analyzed by targeted sequencing on germline DNA from these patients. Main outcomes measures: UM was diagnosed by ophthalmologists at Institut Curie, and a senior pathologist confirmed the diagnosis when tumor or biopsy was available. Classification of the germline genetic variants was performed according to the ACMG guidelines. Results: We identified at least one pathogenic variant (PV) in 79 patients. Among those variants, 20 were found in clinically relevant genes for the patient’s follow-up and genetic counseling. We found a significant enrichment of germline pathogenic variants in Mismatch Repair (MMR) MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 genes in this UM cohort, suggesting that MMR germline alterations could predispose to UM. From this cohort, one tumor was available from a patient carrying a MLH1 germline mutation. The tumor was characterized by a monosomy 3, in line with a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of MLH1, located on chromosome 3. Loss of expression of MLH1 and PMS2 was observed by immunohistochemistry, and MMR mutational signatures SBS6, ID1 and ID2 were identified from the whole genome sequencing of the tumor. These data suggest that MLH1 is implicated in the oncogenesis of this UM. Conclusions: This study is the largest prospective constitutional study performed on UM patients, and the first demonstrating that MMR germline alterations are significantly enriched among these patients. Further analyses will be needed to estimate the risk of developing UM for patients with Lynch syndrome

Study EGAS50000000914

Everything you need to know about Federated EGA Affiliates: Q&A

Addressing common questions about Federated EGA (FEGA) Affiliates and providing answers. FEGA Affiliates have recently been defined as the third tier within the newly approved “Federated EGA Structure and Organisation” document, alongside Central EGA (CEGA) and the FEGA Nodes. In this blog post, we aim to answer the questions that may arise on this topic. For more general information about FEGA Affiliates, you can refer to this blog post. Let's now start with the questions and answers! What is the difference between a FEGA Affiliate and a FEGA Node? FEGA Nodes A FEGA Node is a national-level service that accepts submissions and provides archiving and access services within a single country's jurisdiction. Nodes provide end-to-end services for submitters in that jurisdiction, including submission support, processing, permissions management, and distribution. FEGA Affiliates A FEGA Affiliate is not a national submission service. Instead, it archives data from its own legal entity and/or selected partner institutions (for example, consortium partners). Affiliates are designed for organisations and consortia that need to keep data stewardship and access decisions within their own governance model, while still enabling discovery through the broader FEGA ecosystem. What do Affiliates commit to? Here is a practical checklist of the core expectations for a FEGA Affiliate. FEGA Affiliate checklist Discovery and metadata Submit non-personal metadata to CEGA to obtain EGA accessions and enable discovery (with metadata validation handled by the CEGA Helpdesk). Operations and resilience Maintain a data storage system and a defined backup/recovery approach. Ensure operational capacity (personnel and infrastructure) to deliver Affiliate services. Maintain systems and practices that support local data security and align with EGA best-practices. Access and user support Provide data distribution or access (e.g in a trusted research environment) to authorised users to datasets hosted at the Affiliate. Provide permissions management for datasets archived by the Affiliate (the CEGA DAC (Data Access Committee) Portal is always at your disposal to use). Provide a minimal helpdesk with sufficient capacity to support relevant DACs and approved users. Membership term Commit to a minimum membership term of four years. Governance and participation (lightweight by design) Affiliates integrate into the FEGA network operationally, but without the committee obligations associated with Nodes. When is becoming an Affiliate the right fit? Consider the Affiliate tier if: You host (or plan to host) controlled-access datasets that must be managed under your organisation’s or consortium’s governance, you want studies to be discoverable through EGA, but need access control and/or distribution to remain local, and you are not aiming to operate a national submission service tier.. What if a FEGA Node already exists in my jurisdiction? We encourage any potential Affiliate to reach out to their national FEGA Node to explore collaboration at the national level. Why? Federated models within a country already exist in FEGA, where a national Node operates like a Central EGA for their country. FEGA Nodes can also represent the interests of any Affiliates within their jurisdiction at the FEGA Committees. FEGA Nodes have experience and can support you on your FEGA journey. Ready to join as a FEGA Affiliate? We’re excited to open this formally defined pathway for organisations and consortia to participate in the federation. If you think the FEGA Affiliate tier fits your needs, start by assessing: Your scope (organisation/consortium-held data rather than public external submissions), Your ability to provide the core services (permissions, distribution/access, helpdesk, monitoring), and Your readiness to submit non-personal metadata to CEGA for accessioning and discovery. To express interest, please contact us here, and we'll help you understand the onboarding steps and how Affiliates integrate into the FEGA network.

Blog fega-affiliates-q&a

A circulating biomarker for severity of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a prevalent, incurable skeletal myopathy. Clinical trials for FSHD are hindered by heterogeneous biomarkers poorly associated with clinical severity, requiring invasive muscle biopsy. Macroscopically FSHD presents with slow fatty replacement of muscle, rapidly accelerated by inflammation. Mis-expression of the transcription factor DUX4 is currently accepted to underlie FSHD pathogenesis and mechanisms including PAX7 target gene repression have been proposed. Here we perform RNA-sequencing on MRI guided inflamed (n=24) and isogenic non-inflamed (n=24) muscle biopsies from the same clinically characterised FSHD patients, alongside isogenic peripheral blood mononucleated cells from a subset of patients (n=13), and unaffected controls. We employ multivariate models to evaluate the clinical associations of 5 published FSHD transcriptomic biomarkers. We demonstrate that PAX7 target gene repression can discriminate control, inflamed and non-inflamed FSHD muscle independently of age and sex (p<0.013), while the discriminatory power of DUX4 target genes is limited to distinguishing FSHD muscle from control. Importantly, the level of PAX7 target gene repression in non-inflamed muscle associates with clinical assessments of FSHD severity (p=0.04). DUX4 target gene biomarkers in FSHD muscle show associations with lower limb fat fraction and D4Z4 array length, but not clinical assessment. Lastly, PAX7 target gene repression in FSHD muscle correlates with the level in isogenic peripheral blood mononucleated cells (p=0.002). A refined PAX7 target gene biomarker comprising 143/601 PAX7 target genes computed in peripheral blood (the FSHD muscle-blood biomarker) associates with clinical severity in FSHD patients (p<0.036). Our new circulating biomarker validates as a classifier of clinical severity in an independent data set of 54 FSHD patient blood samples, with improved power in older patients (p=0.03). In summary, we present the minimally invasive FSHD muscle-blood biomarker of FSHD clinical severity valid in patient muscle and blood, with potential utility in routine disease monitoring and clinical trials.

Study EGAS00001007350

In this study, blood-brain barrier (BBB)-forming brain endothelial-like cells were generated from apolipoprotein E gene allele E4 (APOE4, high AD risk) and allele E3 (APOE3, lower AD risk) carrying patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Cells were subsequently exposed to focused ultrasound and microbubbles (FUS+MB) to induce BBB opening and their transcriptome analysed. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) results demonstrated minimal changes in the gene expression following FUS+MB suggesting safety of FUS+MB application in the clinical setting.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major impediment to therapeutic intracranial drug delivery for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Focused ultrasound applied together with microbubbles (FUS+MB) is a novel technique to transiently open the BBB and increase drug delivery. Evidence suggests that FUS+MB is safe, however the effects of FUS+MB on human BBB cells, especially in relation to AD, remain sparsely investigated. Here we developed a human sporadic AD BBB cell platform to investigate the effects of FUS+MB on BBB cells and screen for the delivery of two potentially therapeutic AD antibodies. We generated BBB cells from apolipoprotein E gene allele E4 (APOE4, high AD risk) and allele E3 (APOE3, lower AD risk) carrying patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We utilized this robust and reproducible platform to demonstrate increased delivery of potentially therapeutic antibodies across the BBB, including an analogue of Aducanumab (AduhelmTM) following FUS+MB treatment. Our results also demonstrate the safety of FUS+MB indicated by minimal changes in the cell transcriptome as well as little or no changes in cell viability and inflammatory responses within first 24 h post FUS+MB, with potentially important implications in a clinical setting. Finally, we report a more physiologically relevant hydrogel-based 2.5D BBB model as a key development for FUS+MB-mediated drug delivery screening, with potentially higher translational utility. Our results provide an important advancement for identifying FUS+MB-deliverable drugs and screening for cell- and patient-specific effects of FUS+MB, accelerating its use as a therapy in AD.

Study EGAS00001005944

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

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

Genetic_Heterogeneity_of_the_familial_gastric_neuroendocrine_tumors

Gastric neuroendocrine tumors (gNETs) occur with an estimated frequency of 2 per 100,000 in the general population. Type I gastric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) represent the 75% of gNTEs and arise from gastric enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. They have late age of onset and usually benigh course. Classically, hypergastrinemia in patients who have autoimmune atrophic gastritis, causes hyperplasia of gastric ECL cells that progresses into type I gastric NETs and parietal cell (PC) destruction. The genetic bases in families with this disease are unknown. We performed an exome sequencing study of an atypical aggressive familial gNETs case (with early age onset, nodal infiltrations and gastric adenocarcinomas) that followed a recessive model. We identified a deleterious mutation in homozygosis in the ATP4A gene, which encodes the proton pump responsible for acid secretion by gastric parietal cells. This mutation lead to achlorhydria first, and hypergastrinemia and gNET developing as consequence (Calvete et al. 2014). Recently, two more families with gNETs, classical clinical traits and recessive model have been studies by WES but we didn't find any mutation in the ATP4a gene. However, putative mutations affecting genes that contribute to the development and the integrity of PC have been found suggesting that genetic alterations associated to this disorder target to a unique cell type (parietal cells). In order to cinfirm this hypothesis, it is necessary the search for new genes implicated in the gNETs, more familial cases are needed to be studied. We have identified four more new familial gNETs cases. Here, we propose their study by WES. The first family is formed by thress siblings with gNETs. The other families include two siblings with gNETs. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

Study EGAS00001002273

Copy number profiling of primary samples and cell lines of retinoblastoma

While RB1 loss initiates retinoblastoma development, additional somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs) can drive tumor progression. Although SCNAs have been identified with good concordance between studies at a cytoband resolution, accurate identification of single genes for all recurrent SCNAs is still challenging. This study presents a comprehensive meta-analysis of genome-wide SCNAs integrated with gene expression profiling data, narrowing down the list of plausible retinoblastoma driver genes. We performed SCNA profiling of 45 primary retinoblastoma samples and 8 retinoblastoma cell lines by high-resolution microarrays. We combined our data with genomic, clinical and histopathological data of ten published genome-wide SCNA studies, which strongly enhanced the power of our analyses (N=310). Comprehensive recurrence analysis of SCNAs in all studies integrated with gene expression data allowed us to reduce candidate gene lists for 1q, 2p, 6p, 7q and 13q to a limited gene set. Besides the well-established driver genes RB1 (13q-loss) and MYCN (2p-gain) we identified CRB1 and NEK7 (1q-gain), SOX4 (6p-gain) and NUP205 (7q-gain) as novel retinoblastoma driver candidates. Depending on the sample subset and algorithms used, alternative candidates were identified including MIR181 (1q-gain) and DEK (6p gain). Remarkably, our study showed that copy number gains rarely exceeded change of one copy, even in pure tumor samples with 100% homozygosity at the RB1 locus (N=34), which is indicative for intra-tumor heterogeneity. In addition, profound between-tumor variability was observed that was associated with age at diagnosis and differentiation grades. Since focal alterations at commonly altered chromosome regions were rare except for 2p24.3 (MYCN), further functional validation of the oncogenic potential of the described candidate genes is now required. For further investigations, our study provides a refined and revised set of candidate retinoblastoma driver genes.

Study EGAS00001001715

Exome Sequencing to Define the Landscape of Plasma Cells in Systemic Light chain Amyloidosis

Systemic light chain amyloidosis (AL) is characterized by the deposition of immunoglobulin light chains as amyloid fibrils in different organs, where they form toxic protein aggregates. The underlying disease is a plasma cell disorder, but limited whole exome data are available. We report the findings of an exome sequencing study in AL to define a plasma cell signature and compare this to monoclonal gammopathy of undefined significance (MGUS) and myeloma (MM). Twenty-four samples from unselected newly diagnosed untreated AL patients were analysed. CD138+ cells were isolated from bone marrow cells using MACSorting (Miltenyi Biotech, Bisley, UK). Cells were lysed in RLT+ buffer and DNA/RNA extracted using the AllPrep kit (Qiagen, Manchester, UK). Peripheral blood was isolated from patients, white blood cells purified by Ficoll-Pacque and DNA extracted using the QIAamp DNA mini kit (Qiagen). There were a median of 47 acquired nonsynonymous variants (range 4-253) per patient. Thirty percent of patients yielded a mutation in a myeloma driver gene. These mutations were either clonal or sub-clonal. There was evidence of MAPK activation with NRAS mutations, NF-κB activation and DNA repair pathway alterations. Exome data were used to determine the cytogenetic groups of AL samples and identified hyperdiploidy in 33% of cases and t(11;14) in 33% of cases. All translocations were generated via class switch recombination and breakpoints on chromosome 11 fell into the expected regions. A novel translocation, unlikely to be driving disease progression was identified involving RCC1. Finally, further analysis of the APCS gene encoding for the SAP protein did not show any biased genotype in the AL population in comparison to the general population. We conclude that exome sequencing identifies a genetic make-up of AL that is similar to other plasma cell disorders such as MM and MGUS. This not only includes copy number abnormalities and translocations but also nonsynonymous mutations.

Study EGAS00001001418

Liver biopsy derived induced pluripotent stem cells provide an unlimited supply for the generation of patient-specific hepatocyte-like cells

Background: Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have emerged as a promising cell culture model to study metabolism, biotransformation, viral infections and genetic liver diseases. However the derivation of iPSCs is restricted by ethical and procedural constraints. Furthermore, incomplete HLC differentiation remains a major challenge. iPSC may carry-on a tissue of origin dependent expression memory influencing iPSC differentiation into different cell types. If liver derived iPSCs (Li-iPSCs) maintain a liver specific gene expression profile is not known. It is also not known, if Li-iPSCs would allow the generation of more fully differentiated HLCs.Methods: Primary liver cells (PLCs) were expanded from liver needle biopsies and reprogrammed into Li-iPSCs using a non-integrative Sendai virus-based system. Li-iPSCs were differentiated into HLCs using established differentiation protocols. The HLC phenotype was characterized at the protein, functional and transcriptional level. RNA sequencing data were generated from the originating liver biopsies, the Li-iPSCs, fibroblast derived iPSCs, and differentiated HLCs, and used to characterize and compare their transcriptome profiles.Results: PLCs were obtained from small pieces of liver biopsies and could be reprogrammed into Li-iPSCs. Li-iPSCs indeed retain a liver specific transcriptional footprint. Li-iPSCs can be propagated to provide an unlimited supply of cells for differentiation into Li-HLCs. Similar to HLCs derived from fibroblasts, Li-HLCs could not be fully differentiated into hepatocytes. Relative to the originating liver, Li-HLCs showed lower expression of liver specific transcription factors and increased expression of genes involved in the differentiation of other tissues.Conclusions: PLCs and Li-iPSCs obtained from small pieces of human needle liver biopsies constitute a novel unlimited source for the production of HLCs. Despite the preservation of a liver specific gene expression footprint in Li-iPSCs, the generation of fully differentiated hepatocytes cannot be achieved with the current differentiation protocols.

Study EGAS00001002676

ctDNA quantification in Ewing sarcoma patients

Background. Treatment stratification and response assessment in pediatric sarcomas has relied on imaging studies and surgical/histopathological evidence of vital tumor cells. Such studies and evidence collection processes often involve radiation and/or general anesthesia in children. Cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in blood plasma is one available method of so-called liquid biopsies that has been shown to correlate qualitatively and quantitatively to some extent with the existence of vital tumor cells in the body. Our clinical observational study focused on the utility and feasibility of ctDNA detection in pediatric Ewing sarcoma (EWS) as a marker of minimal residual disease (MRD). Patients and Methods. We performed whole genome sequencing to identify the exact breakpoints in tumors known to carry the EWS-FLI1 fusion gene. Patient-specific fusion breakpoints were tracked in peripheral blood plasma using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) before, during, and after therapy in six consecutive children and young adults with EWS. Presence and levels of fusion breakpoints were correlated with clinical disease courses. The genetic changes in the tumors were defined, and inter- and intra-individual changes in the tumor DNA copy loads were observed over time. Results. We show that the detection of ctDNA in the peripheral blood of EWS patients i) is feasible in the clinical routine and ii) allows for the longitudinal real-time monitoring of MRD activity in children and young adults. Although changing ctDNA levels correlated well with clinical outcome within patients, between patients, a high variability was observed (inter-individually) for the six patients described here. Conclusions. ctDNA detection by ddPCR is a highly sensitive, specific, feasible, and highly accurate method that can be applied in EWS for follow-up assessments as an additional surrogate parameter for clinical MRD monitoring and, potentially, also for treatment stratification in the near future.

Study EGAS00001006433

High-throughput telomere length measurement at nucleotide resolution using the PacBio high fidelity sequencing platform, P49-P104 and run1 replicates

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 EGAS00001006595

Circulating kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and association with response to adjuvant immunotherapy in renal cell carcinoma

Adjuvant immunotherapy is currently the standard of care for patients with resected renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at increased risk of recurrence, but there are no biomarkers available to guide treatment decisions. Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) has previously been described as a potential circulating biomarker in renal cell carcinoma. We evaluated biomarkers and outcomes among patients who participated in a randomized phase III trial of adjuvant atezolizumab versus placebo in resected RCC (IMmotion010). This trial did not meet its primary DFS endpoint in the intention-to-treat population. An affinity-based proximity extension proteomics assay was used to compare levels of circulating proteins among baseline (post-nephrectomy) serum samples and also with samples taken at time of recurrence. We demonstrate that serum KIM-1 was the most significantly enriched protein at recurrence versus baseline. Patients with serum KIM-1high at baseline had worse disease-free survival (DFS) (hazard ratio 1.68, 95% CI 1.35-2.09), but also had improved DFS when treated with adjuvant atezolizumab versus placebo (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.52-0.99). An increase in KIM-1 during follow-up was associated with worse DFS compared to patients with no increase in KIM-1. Comparison of transcriptomic expression profiles in paired primary and recurrent tumor samples revealed that metastatic recurrence is associated with upregulation of transcriptional programs associated with tumor proliferation and myeloid immune suppression. Downregulation of an MHC class I signature was seen among patients with recurrence after treatment with atezolizumab but not placebo, suggesting this is a mechanism of resistance to PD-L1 immunotherapy. These analyses suggest that elevated post-nephrectomy serum KIM-1 enriches for benefit from adjuvant immunotherapy in RCC, and that biomarker driven adjuvant therapy should be evaluated as a potential new paradigm in RCC trials.

Study EGAS50000001285

Genome-wide DNA methylation sequencing identifies epigenetic perturbations in the upper airways under long-term exposure to moderate levels of ambient air pollution

While the link between exposure to high levels of ambient particulate matter (PM) and increased incidences of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases is widely recognized, recent epidemiological studies have shown that low PM concentrations are equally associated with adverse health effects. As DNA methylation is one of the main mechanisms by which cells regulate and stabilize gene expression, changes in the methylome could constitute early indicators of dysregulated signaling pathways. So far, little is known about PM-associated DNA methylation changes in the upper airways, the first point of contact between airborne pollutants and the human body. Here, we focused on cells of the upper respiratory tract and assessed their genome-wide DNA methylation pattern to explore exposure-associated early regulatory changes. Using a mobile epidemiological laboratory, nasal lavage samples were collected from a cohort of 60 adults that lived in districts with records of low (Simmerath) or moderate (Stuttgart) PM10 levels in Germany. PM10 concentrations were verified by particle measurements on the days of the sample collection and genome-wide DNA methylation was determined by enzymatic methyl sequencing at single-base resolution. We identified 231 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between moderately and lowly PM10 exposed individuals. A high proportion of DMRs overlapped with regulatory elements, and DMR target genes were involved in pathways regulating cellular redox homeostasis and immune response. In addition, we found distinct changes in DNA methylation of the HOXA gene cluster whose methylation levels have previously been linked to air pollution exposure but also to carcinogenesis in several instances. The findings of this study suggest that regulatory changes in upper airway cells occur at PM10 levels below current European thresholds, some of which may be involved in the development of air pollution-related diseases.

Study EGAS00001007374

Exploring_the_landscape_of_somatic_mutations_in_normal_tissue_GI_WGS

The aim of this project is to investiagte somatic mutations, including rates of mutations and signatures, and clonal dynamics in normal (non-cancerous) human tissues from the gastrointestinal tract. The project will involve the studyof normal tissues from healthy individuals and those with specific candidate diseases. We are utilising laser capture microscopy to idnetifiy and isolate specific cell populations which are then subjected to whole genome sequencing to estimate mutational burdens and begin to understand clonal structures across the normal tissues.

Study EGAS00001003012

Exploring_the_landscape_of_somatic_mutations_in_normal_tissue_UGI_WGS

The aim of this project is to investiagte somatic mutations, including rates of mutations and signatures, and clonal dynamics in normal (non-cancerous) human tissues from the gastrointestinal tract. The project will involve the studyof normal tissues from healthy individuals and those with specific candidate diseases. We are utilising laser capture microscopy to idnetifiy and isolate specific cell populations which are then subjected to whole genome sequencing to estimate mutational burdens and begin to understand clonal structures across the normal tissues.

Study EGAS00001003541

Combination therapies for personalized cancer medicine

It is the ambition of the team formed by members of the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) and the Cancer Genome Project at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (WTSI) to unravel the genomic and phenotypic complexity of human cancers in order to identify optimal drug combinations for personalized cancer therapy. Our integrated approach will entail (i) deep sequencing of human tumours and cognate mouse tumours; (ii) drug screens in a 1000+ fully characterized tumour cell line panel; (iii) high-throughput in vitro and in vivo shRNA and cDNA drug resistance and enhancement screens; (iv) computational analysis of the acquired data, leading to significant response predictions; (v) rigorous validation of these predictions in genetically engineered mouse models and patient-derived xenografts. This integrated effort is expected to yield a number of combination therapies and companion-diagnostics biomarkers that will be further explored in our existing clinical trial networks.

Dataset EGAD00001000869

Immune Profiling in Patients with High-Risk Smoldering Myeloma

Single-cell RNA-sequencing identifies immune biomarkers of response to immunotherapy in patients with high-risk Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM). We conducted a Phase II trial of the immunotherapeutic anti-SLAMF7 antibody, Elotuzumab, in combination with Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (E-PRISM study), to determine the utility and safety of early immunotherapy in patients with high-risk SMM and develop biomarkers for optimal patient selection and monitoring of response to treatment.There is an overlap in subjects between this study and dbGaP accession phs001323.

Study phs002476

Next Generation Mendelian Genetics: Kabuki Syndrome

The ultimate purpose of this research is to identify genes causing hereditary disorders. We are scaling a new approach to identify the candidate genes and gene mutations that underlie rare human Mendelian (a set of primary tenets relating to the transmission of hereditary characteristics from parent to child) diseases by using exome (protein coding segments of DNA) resequencing. The exome sequences of ten unrelated individuals with a diagnosis of Kabuki Syndrome (OMIM: 147920) were obtained by massively parallel DNA sequencing.

Study phs000295

Disease Severity in Familial Dysautonomia

Familial Dysautonomia (FD) is a developmental and degenerative genetic disease that manifests in the neural crest cells and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Despite all FD patients having the same mutation in IKBKAP, patients present with varying disease severity, ranging from mild to severe. We used the human pluripotent stem cell technology to recapitulate this varying disease severity in the dish. Further, we found that severe, but not mild patients harbor mutations in candidate modifier genes that may contribute to severe disease presentation.

Study phs001233

Comprehensive Analysis of Structural Variants in Breast Cancer Genomes Using Single Molecule Sequencing

This study used the SKBR3 breast cell line and tumor/normal organoids derived from breast tissue to explore the utility of long read sequencing for detecting structural variants in complex samples. Three technologies were used to characterize the samples: Illumina/10X, Pacific Biosciences, and Oxford Nanopore. Methylation results were derived from the Oxford Nanopore data. It is hoped that this resource will better help researchers better understand the utility of long read sequencing in cancer samples.

Study phs002210

Genetic Study of Present-Day Populations of Northern Kenya

Human populations in Africa are the most genetically diverse in the world, having a rich history, and yet are severely understudied. The purpose of this study is to understand the population history of the Turkana. This study aims to measure the extent of genetic variation using whole genome and whole exome sequencing in this population, with the goal to better understand the broader evolutionary history of these populations and to add to the current knowledge of population genetics in Africa.

Study phs002219

Enrichment of PTPRT and JAK2 mutations in lung cancer from African Americans and evidence for increased GI and HRD in LUSC

The goal of this study is to compare the somatic mutation landscape between European Americans and African Americans. It includes various histological forms of lung cancer. In LUAD, we find increased prevalence of PTPRT and JAK2 mutations among African Americans. These proteins function in the same pathway and as such, this may be a new actionable target for lung cancer. We have also examined the landscape of copy number profiles in African Americans and European Americans.

Study phs001895

Pharmacogenomics of Mercaptopurine Intolerance in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (AALL03N1)

Mercaptopurine (MP) is the mainstay of curative therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to comprehensively identify the genetic basis of MP intolerance in children with ALL in AALL03N1. MP dose intensity was defined as prescribed dose divided by the planned protocol dose during maintenance therapy.  Germline variants in NUDT15 and TPMT were found to be strongly associated with MP intolerance in childhood ALL, which may have implications for treatment individualization in this disease.

Study phs002846

DNA and RNA Profiling Using Simultaneous Sequencing (Simul-seq)

Paired DNA and RNA profiling is increasingly employed in genomics research to uncover molecular mechanisms of disease and to explore personal genotype and phenotype correlations. We developed a novel simultaneous DNA and RNA sequencing approach (Simul-seq) that enables comprehensive genomic and transcriptomic profiles from small quantities of cells or tissues. In this study, Simul-seq was performed on patient-derived fibroblast cells as well as an esophageal adenocarcinoma tumor sample and compared with standard DNA and RNA-sequencing approaches.

Study phs001214

A National Translational Science Network of Precision-Based Immunotherapy for Primary Liver Cancer (PLC)

The primary objective of the NCI-CLARITY study is to establish a biospecimen repository for genomic, genetic and epigenetic analysis to study the biology of primary liver cancer (PLC) development and progression. Secondary objectives include predicting overall and progression-free survival following immunotherapy. In the retrospective phase, anonymous archival tissue from PLC patients was obtained from five participating sites. Whole exome and transcriptome sequencing was generated and used to predict overall survival in response to immunotherapy.

Study phs003074

The Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE)

The Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE) is a collaborative investigational infrastructure of 40 North American sites for conducting clinical and translational research in Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), Membranous Nephropathy (MN), and Minimal Change Disease (MCD). NEPTUNE provides prospective, un-blinded, standardized evaluation of clinical and molecular outcomes in two cohorts: A) adults and children with incident or prevalent, biopsy-proven FSGS, MN, or MCD, recruited at the time of first biopsy, and B) children with incident Nephrotic Syndrome without a diagnostic kidney biopsy.

Study phs003210

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