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• UK10K_RARE_FIND

  In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches. The Raymond samples will be part of the “rare disease” group, and will undergo exome sequencing. For further information with regard to this cohort please contact Lucy Raymond (flr24@cam.ac.uk).

  Study EGAS00001000128

• UK10K_RARE_CILIOPATHIES

  In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches. The Ciliopathies samples will be part of the rare disease group, and will undergo exome sequencing. For further information with regard to this cohort please contact Phil Beales (p.beales@ich.ucl.ac.uk).

  Study EGAS00001000126

• UK10K RARE CHD

  In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches. The CHD (congenital heart disease) samples will be part of the “rare disease” group, and will undergo exome sequencing.For further information with regard to this cohort please contact Shoumo Bhattacharya (shoumo@me.com).

  Study EGAS00001000125

• Study of Adaptation to Hypoxia in Ethiopian Highlanders via Whole Genome Sequencing

  Although it has long been proposed that genetic factors contribute to adaptation to high altitude, such factors remain largely unverified. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have made it feasible to analyze genome-wide patterns of genetic variation in human populations. Since traditionally such studies surveyed only a small fraction of the genome (either exons or a subset of SNPs) or a group of candidate genes, interpretation of the results was limited. We focused our study on Ethiopian highlander populations, which have been found to be well adapted to high altitudes (~3500m). We sequenced and analyze the genomes of 13 high altitude native Ethiopians: 6 individuals of Oromo heritage living on Bale Plateau (labeled "Oromos"), and 7 individuals residing on the Chennek field in the Simien Mountains (labeled "Amhara"). Our study revealed evolutionarily conserved genes that modulate hypoxia tolerance.

  Study phs000647

• Conserved interferon-gamma signaling and decreased immune exclusion programs in responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy

  We analyzed baseline and on-therapy tumor biopsies from 101 patients with advanced melanoma treated with nivolumab (anti-PD-1) alone or combined with ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4). Analysis of whole transcriptome data showed that T cell infiltration and interferon-gamma signaling signatures corresponded most highly with clinical response to therapy, with a reciprocal decrease in cell cycle and WNT signaling pathways in responding biopsies. Clinical outcome differences were likely not due to differential melanoma cell responses to interferon-gamma, as 57 human melanoma cell lines exposed in vitro to this cytokine showed a conserved interferon-gamma transcriptome response unless they had mutations that precluded signaling from the interferon-gamma receptor. Therefore, the magnitude of the antitumor T cell response and the corresponding downstream interferon-gamma signaling are the main drivers of clinical response or resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

  Study EGAS00001004545

• National Cancer Institute (NCI) Adding Hispanics to Ongoing GWAS in Colorectal Cancer

  Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of colorectal cancer (CRC) have been instrumental in identifying a number of common susceptibility loci in Non Hispanic (NH)-White populations, and a NCI priority is to extend GWAS findings to other populations to address racial/ethnic disparities in cancer susceptibility. Currently, GWA studies of CRC in NH-Whites, Japanese and African-Americans are ongoing. We propose a complementary study to address this critical research area in Hispanics. Hispanics represent the fastest growing ethnic population in the U.S. and have been largely understudied in terms of genetic susceptibility to cancer. There are noted differences in incidence, survival and mortality in CRC by ethnic/racial groups. Hispanics often present with CRC at a younger age and have a significantly greater incidence of stage IV tumors or metastatic disease compared to NH-Whites. We propose to conduct a large, cost-efficient, population-based GWAS in Hispanics by building upon existing NIH-funded resources, the Colon Cancer Family Registry (Colon CFR) and the Multiethnic Cohort Study (MEC). We plan to recruit 2,500 Hispanic men and women diagnosed with CRC between 01/2008 to present using cancer registries in California, physican referrals and familial referrals. Risk factor/diet questionnaires, pathology reports, Oragene saliva samples (for genotyping), optional blood samples (for genotyping and biometric analysis) and tumor blocks (for MSI testing) will be collected using methodologies developed in the Colon CFR/MEC. Cases of CRC in the MEC (currently 473; anticipated 600 at end) will also be included. Population-based Hispanic individuals without a diagnosis of CRC participating in other GWA studies in the MEC (n=3,900, U01HG004726, Haiman) will be used as controls. We will genotype all 3,100 cases using the Illumina 1M array and use available genotype and epidemiologic data collected on 3,900 controls. Our statistical analyses will include: single-SNP and haplotype effects, gene-environment interactions and heterogeneity by MSI, tumor subtype and family history of CRC. We will replicate findings in a second-stage using CRC cases and controls from Mexico (1,000 cases and 1,000 controls, EU FP7 funding, CHIBCHA, Carvajal-Carmona/Tomlinson). We will also examine heterogeneity of the risk estimates by ethnicity/race by leveraging GWA data on NH-Whites (2,142 cases, 1,909 controls, U01 CA122839, Casey), (4,000 cases, 6,000 NH-White controls, UK-CHIBCHA, Tomlinson), Colombians (2,000 cases and 2,000 controls, CHIBCHA), Japanese (1,000 cases and 1,000 controls) and African-Americans (1,500 cases and 1,500 controls, R01CA126895, Le Marchand). We will genotype replicated significant SNPs in our main and combined analysis in several Hispanic populations (note: studies funded by EU or NIH for data collection but not GWAS), including 800 Puerto Ricans, 2,000 Brazilians, 2,000 Argentineans and 3,000 Spanish/Portuguese, to assess generalizability of findings. We will examine the differences in inflammatory gene transcription dynamics in leukocytes (from blood sample collection) by fatigue level (as assessed from study questionnaire data). This study will have a high impact by addressing the key question of racial/ethnic disparities related to genetic susceptibility to CRC, will provide translational guidelines on biological mechanisms during the cancer survivorship period to increase quality of life among cancer survivors, and will enable further growth and investment into research among Hispanics by providing a resource of genetic data and biospecimens, which is lacking.

  Study phs001193

• National Eye Institute (NEI) Genetic Epidemiology of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Old Order Amish

  Identifying genetic risk loci for Age-Related Macular Degeneration is important. Most of the loci identified to date have been found through the interrogation of common variants. This study initiates the identification of rare variants in a founder population, the Amish, and will use genotyping of known risk loci and ultimately use the whole exome chip to assess the association of Age-related Macular Degeneration with coding variants. We will further refine the Age-Related Macular Degeneration phenotype through the use of modern imaging, the OCT, to visualize the early anatomic signs of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. We hypothesize there are endophenotypes associated with specific genotypes that can be used to determine Age-related Macular Degeneration progression. These endophenotypes are hypothesized to be influenced by a combination of common and rare variants. We will relate these endophenotypes to genotypes to define the role of genetics in the progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration and a new risk profile incorporating genotypic information.

  Study phs001361

• Somatic Mutation in Normal Bladder Study

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

  Study phs004105

• ENCORAFENIB COMBINED WITH BINIMETINIB FOR BRAFV600E-MUTATED RELAPSED/REFRACTORY MULTIPLE MYELOMA: THE PHASE II GMMG-BIRMA TRIAL (Hipo_K08K)

  Activating BRAF mutations are rare events in multiple myeloma but have been shown to be promising therapeutic targets in small case studies. This multicenter phase II trial assessed the efficacy and safety of the BRAF/MEK inhibitors, encorafenib and binimetinib, in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) carrying an activating BRAFV600E mutation. Twelve RRMM patients with a median of five prior lines of therapy were enrolled. The study met its primary endpoint with 10 patients achieving at least a partial response according to IMWG criteria (overall response rate 83.3%). Responses occurred rapidly within the first cycle and deepened over time. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.6 months and overall survival was 55% at 24 months. Genomic profiling revealed RAS mutations and structural variants involving the BRAF locus to be drivers of resistance to BRAF/MEK inhibition in RRMM. This trial demonstrates the value of translationally driven clinical trials in selected patient populations.

  Study EGAS00001005973

• Clonally selected lines after CRISPR/Cas editing are not isogenic

  The CRISPR-Cas9 system has enabled researchers to precisely modify/edit the sequence of a genome. A typical editing experiment consists of two steps: (i) editing cultured cells and (ii) selection of clones, which are presumed to be isogenic, with and without the intended edit. The application of the CRISPR-Cas9 system may result in off-target edits, while cloning would reveal culture-acquired mutations. We analyzed the extent of the former and of the latter by whole genome sequencing (WGS) involving separate genomic loci in three experiments conducted by three independent laboratories. In all experiments we hardly found any off-target edits, while we detected hundreds to thousands of single nucleotide mutations unique to each clone after relatively short culture of 10-20 passages. Notably, clones also differed in copy number alterations that were several kb to several mb in size, representing the largest source of genomic divergence among clones. This study in dbGaP includes data from experiments carried out by investigators at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine (OMRF/BCM) involving an iPSC line derived from fibroblasts of a female patient (line c7) carrying a constitutional heterozygous variant (chr1:1,464,679 C>T; GRCh37) in exon 15 of the ATPase family, AAA domain containing 3A (ATAD3A) gene. The parental line was edited by introducing a double stranded break at the variant allele to correct the variant by homology directed repair. Two unedited control clones (clone7 and clone8) and one edited clone (SC20) were selected for WGS.

  Study phs003110

• Genetic Underpinnings of Ethnic Disparities in Bone Toxicities Between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Children Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

  Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy among children and young adolescents. More than 90% of children are cured with a combination of multiple chemotherapeutic drugs. Some may suffer from debilitating toxicities due to the cytotoxic drugs, necessitating pharmacogenetic research to search for genetic markers predictive of treatment toxicities, so that treatment can be better tailored based on patients' genetic makeup. Bone toxicities, including osteonecrosis and fractures, most often due to glucocorticoids, are the most common complications in ALL, which have long-lasting detrimental impact on the still developing skeletons in children. In DFCI ALL Consortium Protocol 05-001, a multi-center clinical trial for childhood ALL conducted in Canada and the US, we found that Hispanic children had less drug toxicities to their bones than non-Hispanic children. Although reasons for the observed ethnic differences are largely unknown, patients' inherited genetic background may be at play. This study seeks to perform a novel pharmacogenomic study based on multi-site clinical trials DFCI ALL Consortium Protocol 05-001 and 11-001 to identify genetic underpinnings of ethnic disparities in bone toxicities.

  Study phs002317

• Center for Common Disease Genomics [CCDG] - Neuropsychiatric: Victorian Collaborative AuTism Study (CATS): Family and Community Study of the Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants both in coding and noncoding regions will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of NYGC. WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal. An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs002044

• 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

• Tumorigenic role of Musashi-2 in aggressive mantle cell lymphoma

  SOX11 is overexpressed in the highly aggressive conventional mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) but rarely in the indolent non-nodal MCL subtype. We performed RNA-seq of SOX11+ and SOX11- MCLs to search for SOX11-regulated genes that contributed to MCL clinical evolution, identifying Musashi-2 (MSI2) stem cell-related gene. By performing RNA-seq upon MSI2 knockdown or inhibition in MCL, we identified MSI2 as a potential target to inhibit drug resistance in aggressive MCLs.

  Study EGAS00001006613

• HELIUS cohort

  The gut microbiota composition is unique to every individual but is shaped by common factors including diet, lifestyle, medication use, early-life determinants, living environment or genetics. Most of these factors may be influenced by ethnicity. This study explored variations in fecal microbiota composition in 6048 individuals with different ethnic backgrounds living in the same geographical area (Amsterdam, the Netherlands). The HELIUS data are owned by the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location AMC in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. To allow sharing of microbiome data collected in HELIUS with (inter)national researchers, 16s rRNA sequence analysis has been stored at the European genome-phenome archive (EGA; accession code EGAD00001004106). This requires that access needs to be granted, also because the HELIUS data are stored with relevant phenotypical variables. Access is granted to all researchers affiliated with an internationally recognized research institution who request to use the HELIUS data within the EGA context, after having signed the data transfer agreement. Any researcher can request the data by submitting a proposal to the HELIUS Executive Board as outlined at http://www.heliusstudy.nl/en/researchers/collaboration, by email: heliuscoordinator at amsterdamumc dot nl. The HELIUS Executive Board will check proposals if they do not conflict with ethical approvals and informed consent forms of the HELIUS study.

  Study EGAS00001002969

• Rare germline sequence variants, copy number variations, expression alterations, methylation variations and disease susceptibility in familial melanoma

  Although a number of high-risk melanoma genes have been identified, they account for melanoma risk in less than 40% of melanoma-prone families. The major goals of our research are to identify novel high-penetrance genes for familial melanoma in melanoma-prone families without known mutations and to identify modifier factors, including genetic and epigenetic, in melanoma-prone families with and without known major mutations. We are using whole exome sequencing to identify additional high-risk susceptibility genes and using targeted sequencing to follow up on the top genes in additional family members and in population-based melanoma cases and controls. We are also using RNASeq to investigate genome-wide allele-specific expression and eQTLs in these families to identify genes with expression alteration, which will provide additional information for gene discovery. In addition, we also conducted genome-wide copy number variation (CNV), methylation, and miRNA expression profiling analyses in our melanoma families with the goal of identifying genetic and epigenetic factors as disease modifiers.

  Study phs001177

• The Vaginal Microbiome: Disease, Genetics and the Environment

  The vagina is an interactive interface with the environment, and as such is covered by a protective epithelial surface. This surface is colonized by a biofilm consisting of bacteria and other microorganisms, which through a variety of mechanisms serve to protect the host from invasion by pathogens. Alterations in the normal vaginal microflora; i.e., dysbioses, particularly those associated with bacterial vaginosis, the most common disorder of the female reproductive tract, contribute to risk of sexually transmitted infections, infection by HIV, and are associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes including but not limited to spontaneous preterm birth. Physiologic alterations in the host (e.g., menopause and pregnancy), which are beginning to be investigated as potential selective conditions for change in the "normal" vaginal flora, and their impact on disease susceptibility and transmission, remain to be more definitively elucidated. The effects of chronically abnormal physiologic states (e.g., diabetes mellitus) on normal vaginal flora have not been well described or studied. Finally, an almost unexplored area of inquiry is the genetic contribution, including race/ethnicity, to the establishment and maintenance of a "normal" vaginal flora, under normal and physiologically altered circumstances. Our research will shed light on how the vaginal microbiome contributes to adverse obstetrical outcomes and sexually transmitted infections in diverse populations. This project addresses the following questions: First: Do the genes of the host contribute to the composition of the vaginal microbiome? We hypothesize that a woman's genetic composition significantly affects the ability of certain commensal, parasitic and pathogenic microbes to colonize and/or infect the genital tract. Thus, we will compare and quantify the microbial populations inhabiting the vaginas of monozygotic and dizygotic twins from the Mid Atlantic Twin Registry, and, in the process, address the question of whether there is a relationship between the microbiomes of the vagina, mouth and GI tract. Second: What changes in the vaginal microbiome are associated with common physiological perturbations or non-infectious pathological states of the host?We hypothesize that "altered" physiologic (pregnancy, menopause) and pathologic (chronic disease, hysterectomy) conditions, or environmental "exposures" (exogenous hormones, antibiotics, chronic immunosuppressant, smoking; douching) can predictably alter the vaginal microenvironment. These alterations will lead to changes in microbial populations within the vagina. Changes in the microbial populations may have impacts, positive or more likely negative, on the spontaneous and future well-being of the affected individual. We are characterizing the effects of these "altered" physiologic and pathologic conditions, and environmental exposures, on the composition of the vaginal microbiome. Finally, we are examining the impact of the important physiological changes incurred during pregnancy on the composition of the microbiome of the female reproductive tract. Third: What changes in the vaginal microbiome are associated with relevant infectious diseases and conditions? We are testing the hypothesis that infectious diseases predictably alter the vaginal microbiome, and that these changes have an impact on the disease susceptibility, process, and outcome. A predilection for bacterial vaginosis, vaginitis, HIV infection, or other sexually transmitted diseases, is likely associated with a women's vaginal microbial composition. Thus, we will characterize samples from women with a variety of these infectious conditions to determine the contribution of their microbiomes to the disease process and susceptibility. We are addressing these questions using a combination of high throughput 'nextgen' sequencing technologies. Early studies were performed using the Roche 454 FLX and the first generation Illumina Genome Analyzer II instruments and more recently employing Illumina MiSeq and HiSeq 2500 and 4000 platforms, installed in the Genomics Core of the Nucleic Acids Research Facilities at VCU. Thus, segments of the 16S rRNA genes are amplified from the complex samples taken from various target sites in and around the vagina of each study participant. These segments are sequenced and subjected to taxonomic classification protocols to identify and quantify the bacterial taxa present in each sample. Additionally, total DNA isolated from these samples are subjected to shotgun sequence analysis to empirically reconstruct the metabolic potential of these microbiomes. Finally, specific bacterial clones are completely sequenced and analyzed to associate the unavoidable strain and isolate diversity with the clinical phenotypes presented.

  Study phs000256

• Linguistic utterance counts for The admixture histories of Cabo Verde

  Datasets used in the article "The genetic and linguistic admixture histories of the islands of Cabo Verde" by Laurent R et al. eLife 2023 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.79827 - URL: https://elifesciences.org/articles/79827) File name "eGAdeposit_225CaboVerde_FreeSpeech_Utterance_counts_FINAL_01062022.txt" Column 1 corresponds to individual alphanumeric codes as in the "eGAdeposit_233CaboVerde_GenotypeFile_FINAL_01062022.vcf" genotype file. Note that only 225 unrelated Cabo Verdean-born individuals are considered here, out of the 233 individuals in the genotype file. See Material and Methods in Romain Laurent et al. 2022 - doi pending Each 4831 other column correspond to the respective individual's utterance count in the free speech transcribed in ALUPEC and provided as column header. See See Material and Methods in Romain Laurent et al. 2022 - doi pendingColumn 1 corresponds to individual alphanumeric codes as in the "eGAdeposit_233CaboVerde_GenotypeFile_FINAL_01062022.vcf" genotype file. Note that only 225 unrelated Cabo Verdean-born individuals are considered here, out of the 233 individuals in the genotype file. See Material and Methods in Romain Laurent et al. 2022 - doi pending Each 4831 other column correspond to the respective individual's utterance count in the free speech transcribed in ALUPEC and provided as column header. See Material and Methods in Laurent R et al. eLife 2023

  Dataset EGAD00001008978

• Studying the single cell characteristics of pancreatic cancer

  Pancreatic cancer is a dangerous malignancy in the pancreas. In this study we use single-cell RNA sequencing technique to help understand the transcriptome characteristics of pancreatic tumor cells. This study help understands the complex microenvironment of pancreatic tumors and will likely to benefit clinical research of pancreatic cancer treatments.

  Study EGAS00001003889

• Evolution of DNA repair defects during malignant progression of low-grade gliomas after temozolomide treatment.

  Temozolomide (TMZ) increases the overall survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM), but its role in the clinical management of diffuse low-grade gliomas (LGG) is still being defined. DNA hypermethylation of the O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter is associated with an improved response to TMZ treatment, while inactivation of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway is associated with therapeutic resistance and TMZ-induced mutagenesis. We previously demonstrated that TMZ treatment of LGG induces driver mutations in the RB and AKT-mTOR pathways, which may drive malignant progression to secondary GBM. To better understand the mechanisms underlying TMZ-induced mutagenesis and malignant progression, we explored the evolution of MGMT methylation and genetic alterations affecting MMR genes in a cohort of 34 treatment-naïve LGGs and their recurrences. Recurrences with TMZ-associated hypermutation had increased MGMT methylation compared to their untreated initial tumors and higher overall MGMT methylation compared to TMZ-treated non-hypermutated recurrences. A TMZ-associated mutation in one or more MMR genes was observed in five out of six TMZ-treated hypermutated recurrences. In two cases, pre-existing heterozygous deletions encompassing MGMT, or an MMR gene, were followed by TMZ-associated mutations in one of the genes of interest. These results suggest that tumor cells with methylated MGMT may undergo positive selection during TMZ treatment in the context of MMR deficiency.

  Study EGAS00001001179

• Differential gene expression in the colon mucosa of irritable bowel syndrome patients with diarrhea-predominant symptoms

  The aim of this study is to characterize the pathophysiology of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on the functional level and in parallel on the gene expression level. For this purpose RNAseq of mucosal biopsies was performed. The data from the differential expression analysis will be further processed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software to gather Information on activated or inhibited signaling pathways in the disease.

  Study EGAS50000000046

• Differential gene expression in the colon mucosa of irritable bowel syndrome patients with mixed type symptoms

  The aim of this study is to characterize the pathophysiology of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) on the functional level and in parallel on the gene expression level. For this purpose RNAseq of mucosal biopsies was performed. The data from the differential expression analysis will be further processed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software to gather Information on activated or inhibited signaling pathways in the disease.

  Study EGAS00001004835

• Genetic_profiling_of_mucosal_melanoma

  Primary mucosal melanomas (MMs) arise from melanocytes located in mucosal membranes lining the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts. MMs frequently present late and have a poor prognosis; the 5-year survival rate is only 14%. MM makes up only ~1.4% of all melanomas and it is this rarity that makes knowledge of the genetic changes that contribute to its pathogenesis limited to a small number of exome/genome studies and other targeted studies. Thus to investigate the somatic alterations and mutation spectra in MM genomes, we have extracted genomic DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human MMs, and subjected them to whole exome sequencing. Given the propensity of MM to metastasize, we will also be sequencing metastatic MM lesions; primary and metastatic lesions from the same individual represent an excellent opportunity to identify potential drivers of metastasis in MM. Finally we will sequence ‘normal’ DNA from the same individual, where possible, to exclude germline variations.

  Study EGAS00001001115

• The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

  The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is a prospective epidemiologic study conducted in four U.S. communities. The four communities are Forsyth County, NC; Jackson, MS; the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, MN; and Washington County, MD. ARIC is designed to investigate the etiology and natural history of atherosclerosis, the etiology of clinical atherosclerotic diseases, and variation in cardiovascular risk factors, medical care and disease by race, gender, location, and date. ARIC includes two parts: the Cohort Component and the Community Surveillance Component. The Cohort Component began in 1987, and each ARIC field center randomly selected and recruited a cohort sample of approximately 4,000 individuals aged 45-64 from a defined population in their community. A total of 15,792 participants received an extensive examination, including medical, social, and demographic data. These participants were reexamined every three years with the first screen (baseline) occurring in 1987-89, the second in 1990-92, the third in 1993-95, and the fourth and last exam was in 1996-98. Follow-up occurs yearly by telephone to maintain contact with participants and to assess health status of the cohort. In the Community Surveillance Component, currently ongoing, these four communities are investigated to determine the community-wide occurrence of hospitalized myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease deaths in men and women aged 35-84 years. Hospitalized stroke is investigated in cohort participants only. Starting in 2006, the study conducts community surveillance of inpatient (ages 55 years and older) and outpatient heart failure (ages 65 years and older) for heart failure events beginning in 2005. ARIC is currently funded through January 31, 2012. 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 atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease through large-scale genome-wide association studies of well-characterized cohorts of adults in four defined populations. Genotyping was performed at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, a GENEVA genotyping center. Data cleaning and harmonization were done at the GEI-funded GENEVA Coordinating Center at the University of Washington.

  Study phs000090

• Identification of driver oncogenes in scirrhous-type gastric cancer cell lines

  Scirrhous type gastric cancer (SGC) is one of the most intractable cancer subtypes in human, and its therapeutic targets have been rarely identified to date. Exploration of somatic mutations in the SGC genome with the next generation sequencers has been hampered by low tumor contents by the markedly increased fibrous tissues. Thus, SGC cell lines may be useful resources to search for novel oncogenes in. Here we have conducted whole exome sequencing and RNA sequencing on two SGC cell lines, OCUM-8 and OCUM-9. Interestingly, most of the mutations thus identified have not been reported. In OCUM-8 cells, a novel CD44-IGF1R fusion gene is discovered, the protein product of which ligates the amino-terminus of CD44 to the transmembrane and the tyrosine-kinase domains of IGF1R. Further, both of CD44 and IGF1R are markedly amplified in the OCUM-8 genome and abundantly expressed. CD44-IGF1R has a transforming ability, and the suppression of its kinase activity leads to rapid cell death of OCUM-8. On the other hand, OCUM-9 seems to possess multiple oncogenic events in its genome. The MET gene is highly amplified, and the treatment of OCUM-9 with crizotinib, a MET inhibitor, results in cell death. Further, a novel BORCS5-ETV6 fusion gene is identified in the OCUM-9 genome. BORCS5-ETV6 possesses oncogenic activity, and suppression of its message partially inhibits cell growth. Prevalence of these novel fusion genes among SGC awaits further investigation, but we validate the significance of cell lines as appropriate reagents for detailed genomic analyses of SGC.

  Study JGAS000179

• Out with the Java, in with the Python - new EGA data download client unveiled

  We will shortly be deprecating the Java-based download client also known as API V2. The Java client began its life at the back end of 2014, and during its time has seen many developments that have served our users well. During its tenure, the Java client enabled distribution of over 6.5 million files totalling nearly 15 petabytes of data to researchers around the globe. Recent increases in genomic and phenotypic data file sizes, the number of datasets archived in the EGA, the number of users downloading data, and the diversity of download locations has meant that at times the Java client struggled to distribute data efficiently. In response, our team of developers have built a new download client with more robust features and better functionality and reliability. Enter stage left our shiny new API V3.1! The new API V3.1 will replace both API V2 and API V3. The download client for the new API V3.1 is written in Python, and the code is openly available on Github. This Python client makes https calls to the EGA AAI (https://ega.ebi.ac.uk:8443/) and to the EGA Data API (https://ega.ebi.ac.uk:8052), both of which must be accessible from the client location. In addition to general updates to improve performance, the API V3.1 has three new features enhancing the EGA distributions services. First, requested data are now downloaded over secure https connections rather than http, meaning that data can be delivered unencrypted. Instead of separately requesting, downloading, and decrypting data using the Java client, data can now be requested and downloaded using a single command without the need for decrypting. The API V3.1 also automatically verifies each file’s unencrypted md5 after download to ensure the file has downloaded correctly. Second, the new API supports segmenting and automatic resuming. To enable quicker download speeds, the API breaks files into up to four segments and downloads them in parallel. With the new resume feature, downloads - both segmented and continuous stream - will automatically resume if they encounter any errors or the connection is interrupted. These features result in both a faster and more reliable download experience. Finally, the new API V3.1 implements the GA4GH-compliant htsget protocol for supporting requests over genomic ranges. This exciting new feature means that for data files with accompanying index files (e.g. .crai for CRAM files) users can download specific regions of interest rather than the entire file saving both time and storage space. The new features of the Python-based API V3.1 represent significant improvements in security, speed, reliability, and flexibility that are sure to provide a better data download experience. To take full advantage of these features, users must update to Python 3.X. Considering the changes in the data structures with the new API, the upgrade to a new version of the Python client is also mandatory. Updating the client to the latest version can be achieved by running the following command: pip3 install pyega3 -U We are excited for users to try out the new features and take advantage of the multifariously growing EGA distribution services for human biomedical omics data. If you have any questions or feedback, please email the EGA Helpdesk team. We'd love to hear from you!

  Blog new-ega-data-download-client

• The Jerusalem Perinatal Study (JPS) aimed to examine the developmental origins of cardiometabolic risk.

  The Jerusalem Perinatal Study (JPS) aimed to examine the developmental origins of cardiometabolic risk and explore the mechanisms underlying the associations between perinatal characteristics and the development of risk for adult chronic disease. In other words, the cohort has enabled the examination of associations between maternal and paternal characteristics with cardiometabolic risk variables in offspring at various points in the life course, as well as the effect of longitudinal changes in characteristics in both parents and offspring.

  Study EGAS00001004075

• Associations between APOE status and cognitive ability across the lifecourse

  The association between APOE genotype and cognitive function suggests a positive role for the e2 allele and a negative role for the e4 allele. Both alleles have relatively low frequencies in the general population, hence meta-analyses have been based on many small, heterogeneous studies. Here we report the APOE-cognition associations in the largest single analysis to date. APOE status and cognitive ability were measured in 18,337 participants from the Generation Scotland study between 2006 and 2011. The age range was 18-94 years with a mean of 47 (SD 15). Four cognitive domains were assessed: verbal declarative memory (paragraph recall), processing speed (digit symbol substitution), verbal fluency (phonemic verbal fluency), and vocabulary (Mill Hill synonyms). Linear regression was used to assess the associations between APOE genetic status and cognition. Possession of the e4 allele was associated with lower scores on the measures of memory and processing speed in subjects aged >60. Across all age ranges, the e4 allele was linked to better verbal fluency scores. In younger subjects (≤60 years) the e4 allele was linked to higher vocabulary scores. There were no associations between the e2 allele and cognitive ability. As seen in previous meta-analyses, the APOE e4 allele is linked to poorer cognitive performance in the domains of memory and processing speed. By contrast, positive associations were seen between the e4 allele and measures of verbal fluency and vocabulary. All associations were relatively small and, in many cases, nominally significant despite the very large sample size.

  Study EGAS00001001235

• Conserved features of TERT promoter duplications reveal an activation mechanism that mimics hotspot mutations in cancer

  Mutations in the TERT promoter are the single most common non-coding mutation in cancer and represent the genetic underpinnings of tumor cell immortality. Beyond the two most common point mutations, G228A and G250A, which selectively recruit the ETS factor GABP to activate TERT, the significance of other variants in the TERT promoter are unknown. We identified duplications of wildtype sequence within the core promoter region of TERT in 7 different cancer types that have strikingly similar features including size, insertion position, and inclusion of one of the native ETS motifs. Each duplication activates the TERT promoter to a similar level as G228A and G250A and is critically dependent on the insertion site. The GABP tetramer binds to the TERT duplicated promoter sequence by virtue of the native ETS motif and its duplicated version with precise spacing, and it is necessary for the transcriptional activation by all duplications tested. Spatiotemporal analysis in a multifocal glioblastoma shows the duplication is clonal and its activation of TERT is readily detectable at the single cell level and in bulk tumor tissue. We conclude that recurrent TERT promoter duplications of the native ETS sequence are functionally and mechanistically equivalent to the hotspot mutations that confer tumor cell immortality. The shared mechanism of these divergent somatic genetic alterations suggests a strong selective pressure for recruitment of the GABP tetramer to activate TERT.

  Study EGAS00001006118

• Mechanism of Action of Vitamin E in NAFLD

  We conducted a single-center prospective mechanistic randomized trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01792115). Adult patients with NAFLD were enrolled between May 2013 and November 2016. All patients underwent a 12 weeks run-in period of lifestyle intervention. Following the run-in phase, patients underwent a baseline evaluation including blood tests, glucose tolerance testing, measurement of liver fat content by 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and a percutaneous liver biopsy. Patients with no evidence of NAFLD on the entry liver biopsy ended their participation in the study at that point. Patients with histological confirmation of NAFLD (either NAFL or NASH) on the baseline biopsy were randomized at a 1:1:1 ratio to receive one of 3 doses of natural vitamin E (RRR-alpha-tocopherol, Pharmavite), 200, 400 or 800 IU/d, for 24 weeks, and were followed at a 1-8 week intervals in a parallel assigned design. While on vitamin E treatment, patients were encouraged to continue and adhere to the lifestyle and dietary guidelines of the run-in phase. On week 4 of vitamin E treatment, a repeat MRS and liver biopsy were performed. On week 24, a final MRS was performed to assess treatment response. The primary endpoint was the reduction of liver fat content by MRS from baseline (immediately prior to starting vitamin E) to week 24 of treatment, and a response was defined as a relative reduction of ≥25% in liver fat content by MRS between baseline and week 24. Early changes in the hepatic transcriptome were investigated at week 4 comparing non-responders to responder in a nested design.

  Study phs001930

• Mutations in SPINK2 induce azoospermia

  Azoospermia, characterized by the absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate is a common cause of male infertility with a poorly characterized etiology. Exome sequencing analysis of two azoospermic brothers allowed the identification of a homozygous splice mutation in SPINK2, encoding a serine protease inhibitor believed to target acrosin, the main sperm acrosomal protease. In accord with these findings we observed that homozygous Spink2 KO male mice had azoospermia. Moreover, despite normal fertility, heterozygous male mice had a high rate of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa and a reduced sperm motility. Further analysis demonstrated that in the absence of Spink2, protease-induced stress initiates Golgi fragmentation and prevents acrosome biogenesis leading to spermatid differentiation arrest. We also observed a deleterious effect of acrosin overexpression in HEK cells, effect that was alleviated by SPINK2 coexpression confirming its role as acrosin inhibitor. These results demonstrate that SPINK2 is necessary to neutralize proteases during their cellular transit towards the acrosome and that its deficiency induces a pathological continuum ranging from oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in heterozygotes to azoospermia in homozygotes.

  Study EGAS00001002450

• Microbiota and Complications in Kidney Transplant Recipients

  In this study, we investigated the role of the gut microbiota on the development of complications in kidney transplant recipients. We collected serial fecal specimens from 168 kidney transplant recipients within the first 3 months after transplantation. We performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V4-V5 hypervariable region and examined whether the relative gut abundance of pathogenic bacteria was associated with future development of complications like bacteriuria and urinary tract infections. In a subset of samples, we performed metagenomic sequencing of stool and urine supernatant specimens to determine strain level analysis. We collected an additional 5 fecal specimens from 5 kidney transplant recipients to evaluate the gut microbiota's ability to convert inactive mycophenolic acid glucuronide to active mycophenolic acid and fecal specimens from one kidney transplant recipient several years after transplantation.

  Study phs001879

• Integration of Clinical and Molecular Biomarkers for Melanoma Survival (Berwick)

  The long-term goal of the InterMEL Program Project: Integration of Clinical and Molecular Biomarkers for Melanoma Survival is to identify molecular and clinical factors that predict survival of melanoma patients. Our overarching hypothesis is that we can identify factors in the primary melanoma tumor that will lead to more aggressive disease. Melanoma patients diagnosed at American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor, lymph nodes, and metastases (TNM) stages IIA/IIB/IIC/IIIA/IIIB/IIIC/IIID display highly variable clinical outcomes and responses to therapy. We wish to identify robust and reproducible biomarkers or sets of classifiers that distinguish patients likely to have poor prognosis. These biomarkers will help establish targets for adjuvant therapies for this set of patients before the tumors metastasize. Aim 1. Classify actionable somatic mutations, and copy number variations (CNVs) in relationship to melanoma survival. In Project 1, Targeted Sequencing and Clinicopathology to Evaluate Primary Melanoma Molecular Subtypes and Outcomes, we will profile 468 genes using the MSKIMPACT ™ assay and identify somatic mutations and CNVs associated with melanoma-specific survival, as well as their co-occurrence with other mutations, in 1,000 tumors from patients at AJCC TNM stages IIA-IIID: approximately 500 from patients who died with melanoma within five years and approximately 500 from individuals who have lived at least five years. We will also evaluate the joint effects of somatic mutations, CNVs and pathologic characteristics associated with good and poor outcomes. Aim 2. Identify primary melanoma DNA methylation profiles to evaluate subtypes and survival. Although it has been established that melanomas frequently have aberrant DNA methylation, it is unknown if DNA methylation in primary melanomas predicts outcome. In Project 2, Primary Melanoma DNA Methylation Profiling for Evaluating Subtypes and Survival, we will profile the same primary melanomas as in Project 1 with Illumina Infinium 850K methylation arrays. We expect to: identify and characterize DNA methylation-based melanoma subclasses; train, test and validate a CpG signature prognostic for survival from melanoma; determine whether this profile adds information to outcome prediction beyond AJCC TNM staging. This project is based on the hypothesis that DNA methylation in primary melanoma will define subgroups (including a poor-prognosis CIMP – ‘CpG island methylator phenotype' subtype) and that a CpG signature will be prognostic for melanoma survival. Aim 3. Define microRNA expression changes in relation to melanoma survival. MicroRNAs have been associated with poor prognosis in melanoma, as well as in other cancers. In Project 3, Prognostic and Functional Role of a Gene Expression Signature in Melanoma Patients, we hypothesize that altered miRNA expression, captured at the time of diagnosis, may contribute to the aggressive behavior of a subset of early stage primary melanomas. We will profile the same primary melanomas as in Projects 1 and 2 with a Nanostring assay. This project will define and validate a tissue-based microRNA signature in conducted to determine whether the prognostic miRNA signature, as well as other candidate genes emerging from other projects, contribute to melanoma survival. Aim 4. Integrate data from multiple platforms to identify melanoma subtypes and survival. Despite substantial literature on gene tumor mutation-, methylation- and gene expression-based prognostic and predictive signatures for melanoma, few such signatures are used in clinical practice. Project 4, Multiplatform Analysis of Melanoma Molecular Subtypes and Patient Survival Outcome, will use novel integrative clustering methods to identify molecular subtypes of melanoma jointly defined across these platforms.

  Study phs003099

• HDAC inhibitors in synovial sarcoma cells

  Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition has been shown in previous studies to disrupt the synovial sarcoma oncoprotein complex, resulting in apoptosis. To understand the molecular effects of HDAC inhibition, RNA-Seq transcriptome analysis was undertaken in six human synovial sarcoma cell lines. HDAC inhibition induced pathways of cell cycle arrest, neuronal differentiation and response to oxygen-containing species, effects also observed in other cancers treated with this class of drugs. More specific to synovial sarcoma, polycomb-group targets were reactivated including tumor suppressor CDKN2A, and pro-apoptotic transcriptional patterns were induced. Functional analyses revealed that ROS-mediated FOXO activation and pro-apoptotic factors BIK, BIM and BMF were important to apoptosis induction following HDAC-inhibition in synovial sarcoma

  Study EGAS00001002637

• Early Family Prevention of Adolescent Alcohol, Drug Use, and Psychopathology

  The Early Steps Multisite Study is comprised of researchers from the University of Virginia, the University of Pittsburgh, Arizona State University, and Oregon Research Institute. This longitudinal study has been funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health since 2002. The Early Steps Multisite Study conducted a randomized control trial to examine the effects of an intervention program called the Family Check-Up (FCU) offered in early to middle childhood. Outcomes include problem behaviors including substance use. Primary caregivers (PC) and their children (TC) were recruited from Women, Infant, and Children's (WIC) Nutritional Supplement centers in and around Pittsburgh, PA, Eugene, OR and Charlottesville, VA when target participating children were age 2. Participants were screened in three key areas of risk for later child conduct problems: (1) sociodemographic risk (e.g., poverty, teen parent status), (2) family risk (e.g. maternal stress, depressive symptoms), and (3) child conduct problems. Randomization to the intervention condition was balanced on gender to assure an equal number of males and females in the control and intervention groups. Data submitted to dbGaP are from the 515 subjects who were consented to provide a saliva sample.

  Study phs003442

• NHLBI GO-ESP: Family Studies (Familial Interstitial Pneumonia)

  The NHLBI "Grand Opportunity" Exome Sequencing Project (GO-ESP), a signature project of the NHLBI Recovery Act investment, was designed to identify genetic variants in coding regions (exons) of the human genome (the "exome") that are associated with heart, lung and blood diseases. These and related diseases that are of high impact to public health and individuals from diverse racial and ethnic groups will be studied. These data may help researchers understand the causes of disease, contributing to better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases, as well as determine whether to tailor prevention and treatments to specific populations. This could lead to more effective treatments and reduce the likelihood of side effects. GO-ESP is comprised of five collaborative components: 3 cohort consortia - HeartGO, LungGO, and WHISP - and 2 sequencing centers - BroadGO and SeattleGO. The Familial Interstitial Pneumonia (FIP) project seeks to identify genetic variants in coding regions of the human genome that are linked to FIP by examining the coding regions among relatives with FIP. These data will be used in conjunction with our other genetic studies to help us better understand how and why some individuals develop pulmonary fibrosis.

  Study phs000582

• SCANDARE MACARON

  Among gynecological cancers, high-grade serous ovarian cancer has the highest prevalence and more than 75% of patients have advanced stage at diagnosis with a 5-year survival of 40%. When the initial complete surgical removal is not possible (60% of patients), an interval surgery can be considered after three to four cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to reduce the tumor mass. However, in approximately 50% of cases the tumor has little or no response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Therefore, identification of potential drug targets, biomarkers and/or pathways whose modulation can help in the prevention, interception, or curing of the disease is essential to address the unmet need. Therefore, MACARON project aims to address these issues through the identification of shared neoantigens arising out of somatic alterations and aberrant transcriptional programs in ovarian cancer DNA/RNA datasets.

  Study EGAS50000000145

• Germline variant analysis in childhood AML

  Analysis of rare germline variants in childhood AML in a large panel of cancer predisposition genes (n=216) compiled from literature review, and including genes involved in familial hematological malignancies (HM) and bone marrow failure (BMF) syndromes. The prevalence of extremely rare variants in the combined childhood AML cohort (n=72) was compared to that in the Medical Genome Reference Bank (MGRB; n=2570) comprising individuals aged at least 70 years with no history of cardiovascular disease, dementia or cancer. This showed a significant increase of rare alleles in childhood AML for 100% of subset comparisons. Next additional stringent filtering was applied to determine predicted damaging germline predisposition variants. Overall, 21% of the Australian cohort and 25% of the TARGET cohort presented germline variants predicted to be damaging predisposition variants.

  Study EGAS00001006276

• Y chromosome variability in Polish population

  The aim of the present study was to define the Y chromosome variability in Polish male population. For the first time, the study of Polish population was conducted on such a large number of individuals (n=2705) representing administrative units of both levels of local administration in Poland (voivodeships and counties). Furthermore, the clusters were used as an additional form of population subdivision, corresponding to geographic regions of Poland.

  Study EGAS00001004111

• Defined Lifestyle and Germline Factors Predispose Asian Populations to Gastric Cancer

  Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality throughout the world, with the highest incidence in east-Asia. Although the somatic genetics of GC has extensively been characterized by recent advances in cancer genome sequencing, the germline and environmental effects on GC and their ethnic differences have poorly been understood. Here, we performed genomic scale trans-ethnic analysis of 531 GC cases (319 Asian and 212 non-Asians), by integrating east-Asian and public GC datasets. There is one distinct GC subclass with clear alcohol-associated mutation signature and strong Asian specificity, and almost all the cases in the subclass are attributable to alcohol intake behavior, smoking habit, and Asian-specific ALDH2 defective allele. Alcohol-related GCs have low mutation burden and a characteristic immune profile of increased B-cell infiltration into the tumor area in relation to cancer cell-intrinsic CXCL13 chemokine expression. In addition to germline variants of genes involved in BRCA pathways, we found frequent (7.4%) germline CDH1 variants among Japanese GCs. Most of them were attributed to a few recurrent SNVs shared by both Japanese and Koreans, suggesting the existence of common ancestral events and widespread distributions of these pathogenic variants among east-Asian populations. Specifically, approximately one-fifth of diffuse-type GCs were attributable to the combination of alcohol intake and defective-ALDH2 allele or to germline CDH1 variants. These results revealed uncharacterized impacts of germline variants and their interplays with lifestyles in the high incidence areas.

  Study JGAS000229

• Defined Lifestyle and Germline Factors Predispose Asian Populations to Gastric Cancer

  Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality throughout the world, with the highest incidence in east-Asia. Although the somatic genetics of GC has extensively been characterized by recent advances in cancer genome sequencing, the germline and environmental effects on GC and their ethnic differences have poorly been understood. Here, we performed genomic scale trans-ethnic analysis of 531 GC cases (319 Asian and 212 non-Asians), by integrating east-Asian and public GC datasets. There is one distinct GC subclass with clear alcohol-associated mutation signature and strong Asian specificity, and almost all the cases in the subclass are attributable to alcohol intake behavior, smoking habit, and Asian-specific ALDH2 defective allele. Alcohol-related GCs have low mutation burden and a characteristic immune profile of increased B-cell infiltration into the tumor area in relation to cancer cell-intrinsic CXCL13 chemokine expression. In addition to germline variants of genes involved in BRCA pathways, we found frequent (7.4%) germline CDH1 variants among Japanese GCs. Most of them were attributed to a few recurrent SNVs shared by both Japanese and Koreans, suggesting the existence of common ancestral events and widespread distributions of these pathogenic variants among east-Asian populations. Specifically, approximately one-fifth of diffuse-type GCs were attributable to the combination of alcohol intake and defective-ALDH2 allele or to germline CDH1 variants. These results revealed uncharacterized impacts of germline variants and their interplays with lifestyles in the high incidence areas.

  Study JGAS000228

• Whole_genome_sequence_of__third_generation_family_member__SFHS_

  Previously we performed deep WGS on 6 parents and 13 children from 3 large families from the Scottish Family Health Study to identify de novo mutations. This prelim is cover the additional sequencing of one grandchild from one of these three families. The inclusion of a third generation individual will provide additional experimental validation for the de novo mutations found in the initial trio. As in the previous study, the DNA will be WGS to a depth of approximately 25X to achieve this purpose.

  Study EGAS00001000429

• Fragmentation signatures in cancer patients are similar to those in patients with vascular and autoimmune diseases

  The analysis of fragmentation patterns in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has been shown to distinguish individuals with cancer from healthy controls in multiple case-controlled studies. However, there have been few studies that investigate various types cfDNA fragmentomics patterns in individuals with other diseases. For this purpose, we developed a comprehensive metric, called fragmentation signatures, that integrated the distributions of fragment positioning, fragment length, and fragment end-motifs. Using this metric, we found that individuals with venous thromboembolism, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, or scleroderma had cfDNA fragmentation signatures that closely mimicked those found in individuals with advanced cancers. Furthermore, these signatures were highly correlated with increases in inflammatory markers in the blood. Though these data put substantial limitations on the specificity of fragmentomics-based tests for cancer diagnostics, they also offer ways to improve the interpretability of such tests. Moreover, they should lead to a better understanding of the cells – most likely inflammatory cells - from which plasma cfDNA is derived.

  Study EGAS00001008004

• CARE idiopathic subglottic stenosis bulk transcriptomics.

  Idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) is a severe chronic orphan disease characterised by recurrent scarring of the subglottis, predominantly affecting Caucasian females in their fourth to sixth decade of life. Due to its rarity, understanding the clinical trajectory and molecular factors involved in iSGS disease development and prognosis has been challenging. In this study, we prospectively enrolled patients with iSGS, trauma-induced subglottic stenosis, and controls to investigate the clinical, transcriptional, and genetic features that may be associated with disease pathogenesis and treatment outcomes.

  Study EGAS50000000879

• UK10K_OBESITY_GS

  In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches. The GS samples are part of the Obesity group and will undergo exome sequencing.

  Study EGAS00001000242

• STAMPEED: Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966)

  The Northern Finland Birth Cohorts program (NFBC) was initiated in the 1960s in the two northernmost provinces of Finland to study risk factors involved in pre-term birth and intrauterine growth retardation, and the consequences of these early adverse events on subsequent morbidity and mortality. The uniqueness of NBFCs is that the data of the cohorts were obtained from early fetal life (including maternal health during pregnancy) to adulthood. The NFBC1966 includes 12,058 live births to mothers in the two northern-most provinces of Finland. Two decades later, a second cohort of 9432 births was obtained (NFBC1986). In NFBC1966 pregnancies were followed prospectively from the first antenatal contact (10-16th week). After birth, the offspring were examined and then again underwent clinical evaluation at ages 1y, 7y, 14-16y and 31y. At each visit, a wide range of phenotypic, lifestyle and demographic data were gathered by questionnaires and clinical examinations. For the most part, NFBC1986 has undergone similar evaluations to NFBC1966. Linkage to national registries includes hospitalization, deaths, education, medication, pensions, and provides up-to-date demographic and clinical information for members of both cohorts. DNA samples were obtained from 5,923 subjects from NFBC1966 and 6688 subjects from NFBC1986. Data coverage, 96% of all births in 1966 and 99% in 1986, is highly representative for the whole population. The NFBC program comprises more than 20 different projects coordinated by the Center of Lifecourse Disease studies in Northern Finland (COLD) at Oulu University. The prospective data collected from the NFBCs form a unique resource, allowing the study of disease emergence, and of the importance of genetic, biological, social and behavioral risk factors. The genome-wide association (GWA) study sponsored through the STAMPEED program of NHLBI employed genomic DNA samples previously collected by the NFBC1966 study and stored in the DNA repository of the National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland. This NHLBI sponsored RO1 project aimed to identify genetic variants contributing to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In addition to de-identified genome wide genotypic data, a selected list of phenotypic data related to CVD including weight, height, BMI, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, insulin and fasting status, are also available in dbGaP. A summary of the GWAS for the NFBC1966 cardiovascular risk traits can be found in Sabatti et al., Nature Genetics 41: 35-46, 2009, PMID: 19060910. The version 2 release of this study contains sequence data from seventeen loci associated with levels of triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and fasting plasma insulin (Kathiresan et al. 2008, Willer et al. 2008, Sabatti et al. 2009, Dupuis et al. 2010, Teslovich et al. 2010). At each locus, protein-coding regions and 5' and 3' untranslated regions of genes nearest to single nucleotide polymorphisms showing genome-wide significant association with metabolic syndrome-related traits, were sequenced. Targeted Illumina sequencing of 78 genes (~270kb) using 150bp probes was performed on 4943 subjects of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (NFBC1966). Whole exome sequencing on the Illumina platform was carried out on 586 of those participants. The sequencing study is part of a larger project that is funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute's Allelic Spectrum in Common Disease Initiative, and comprises sequence data from more than 7000 individuals in two Finnish cohorts: NFBC1966 and the Finland-United States Investigation of NIDDM Genetics (FUSION) study.

  Study phs000276

• Chromatin immunoprecipitation linked to next-generation whole genome sequencing (ChIP-Seq) for H3K36me3 in paediatric high grade glioma cell lines KKNS4 and SF188 with and without a G34V mutation in H3F3A

  Glioblastomas of children and young adults have a median survival of only 12-15months and are clinically and biologically distinct from histologically similar cancers in older adults1. They are defined by highly specific mutations in the gene encoding the histone H3.3 variant H3F3A2, occurring either at or close to key residues marked by methylation for regulation of transcription – K27 and G34. We performed chromatin immunoprecipitation linked to next-generation whole genome sequencing (ChIP-Seq) for H3K36me3 in order to test the hypothesis that, rather than total H3K36me3, the G34V mutation may instead result in differential binding of the trimethyl mark throughout the genome. Compared with H3F3A wild-type SF188 paediatric GBM cells, H3K36me3 was found to be significantly differentially bound in KNS42 cells at 5130 distinct regions of the genome corresponding to 156 genes. Concurrent whole genome DNA sequencing demonstrated that this was not confounded by copy number alterations. The cerebral hemispheric-specific G34 mutation drives a distinct expression signature through differential genomic binding of the K36 trimethylation mark (H3K36me3). The transcriptional program induced recapitulates that of the developing forebrain, and involves numerous markers of stem cell maintenance, cell fate decisions and self-renewal. Critically, H3F3A G34 mutations cause profound upregulation of MYCN, a potent oncogene which is causative of glioblastomas when expressed in the correct developmental context. This driving aberration is selectively targetable in this patient population by inhibiting kinases responsible for stabilisation of the protein.

  Study EGAS00001001437

• Center for Common Disease Genomics [CCDG] - Neuropsychiatric: Autism - Simons Simplex Collection (SSC)

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants both in coding and noncoding regions will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of New York Genome Center (NYGC). WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal. An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs001676

• Center for Common Disease Genomics [CCDG] - Neuropsychiatric: SPARK Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge

  In this study, we address the enormous challenges common complex diseases pose for genomic analysis and the enormous opportunities surmounting them offers for advancing healthcare. The common genetic disorders proposed for study here are believed to have extreme locus heterogeneity, requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples to comprehensively identify the genomic variants underlying them. We propose that a combination of deep population studies and joint analysis of SNPs, indels, and structural variants, both in coding and noncoding regions, will provide the next level of understanding of common genetic disorders. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) will be critical to this next-generation approach to the genomics of complex disease. WGS will need to be accompanied by the technical ability to generate and handle very large data sets, a particular focus and strength of New York Genome Center (NYGC). WGS will also need to be accompanied by new statistical tools and algorithms, which will be developed by the strong core group committed to this proposal.An overarching goal of this proposal, one that capitalizes on the power of WGS, is to identify disease-associated variants at the individual nucleotide level. In many cases, pathogenic mutations fall in noncoding regions of the genome, which can only be fruitfully explored with WGS. A major effort was put into building new computational strategies to functionally annotate noncoding transcribed sequences, and to build new datasets to enable such strategies, opening new frontiers of understanding of disease-related regulatory variants.

  Study phs002511

• Cellular and Molecular Investigations of Human Hearts

  We aim to discover gene regulatory networks that govern heart morphogenesis in the early fetal heart. To this end, we have performed single-nucleus ATAC-seq on cells derived from 2 human hearts at 15 weeks post conception to define the chromatin profiles and genomic regulatory networks for these in vivo specific cardiomyocyte lineages during development, from which the FASTQ files are available through dbGAP. This information will help us understand the process of heart morphogenesis early in development and may further our understanding of how congenital heart disease impacts development.

  Study phs003473

• Transcriptome profiling of patient derived neural stem cells highlights the importance of CTNND2 and WNT signaling in early neuralization

  Loss of CTNND2/δ-catenin function is implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, including Cri-du-chat syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. CTNND2, the encoded protein, is crucial for the cadherin-catenin cell adhesion complex in the brain. However, the specific impact on neurodevelopment remains unclear. To investigate, we used neuroepithelial stem cells (NESCs) derived from patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with loss of CTNND2. In monolayer cultures, we observed abnormal neural rosette formation and failure to establish stable neural stem cells. 3D organoid cultures confirmed delayed neurogenesis and slower growth in patient-derived iPSC lines. We have built a transcriptomic catalog and observed a dysregulation of the WNT signaling pathway linked to our observed cellular phenotypes. To validate we excluded the WNT activator CHIR99021 from the media, which partially rescued the transcriptomic and morphological phenotype of the patient neural induction. This study enhances our understanding of how CTNND2 loss affects early neurogenesis and neuronal maturation in patient specific cells.

  Study EGAS50000000323

• Gene-Environment Interactions in COCCaINE Use Disorder: Collaborative Case-Control Initiative in Cocaine Addiction

  Drug addiction is a phenotype that has high heritability estimates. In recent years, association studies of candidate genes and some genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a large number of SNPs associated with substance use, abuse or dependence, particularly in phenotypes related to alcohol and nicotine use. Regarding snorted or smoked cocaine dependency, only one GWAS has been conducted so far. In addition, genetic association studies that specifically evaluated smoked cocaine dependence (e.g. crack) are rare, because of characteristics related to the route of administration and duration of the effect of the drug. Thus, the main aim of this GWAS was to identify genetic variations that modulate the risk for the cocaine dependence.

  Study phs001810

• Targeting TRIP13 in Wilms Tumor with Nuclear Export Inhibitors

  Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common renal malignancy of childhood. Despite improvements in the overall survival, relapse occurs in ~15% of patients with favorable histology WT (FHWT). Half of these patients will succumb to their disease. Identifying novel targeted therapies in a systematic manner remains challenging in part due to the lack of faithful preclinical in vitro models. We established ten short-term patient-derived WT cell lines and characterized these models using low-coverage whole genome sequencing, whole exome sequencing and RNA-sequencing, which demonstrated that these ex-vivo models faithfully recapitulate WT biology. We then performed targeted RNAi and CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function screens and identified the nuclear export genes (XPO1 and KPNB1) as strong vulnerabilities. We observed that these models are sensitive to nuclear export inhibition using the FDA approved therapeutic agent, selinexor (KPT-330). Selinexor treatment of FHWT suppressed TRIP13 expression, which was required for survival. We further identified in vitro and in vivo synergy between selinexor and doxorubicin, a chemotherapy used in high risk FHWT. Taken together, we identified XPO1 inhibition with selinexor as a potential therapeutic option to treat FHWTs and in combination with doxorubicin, leads to durable remissions in vivo.

  Study EGAS00001007389

• Genomics of Circulating Tumor Cells

  Comprehensive analyses of cancer genomes in clinical settings promise to inform prognoses and guide the deployment of precise cancer treatments. A major barrier, however, is the inaccessibility of adequate metastatic tissue for accurate genomic analysis in prostate and other cancers. A potential solution is to characterize circulating tumor cells (CTCs), but this requires overcoming multiple technical hurdles. Here, we report an integrated process to isolate, qualify, and sequence whole exomes of CTCs with high fidelity, using a census-based sequencing strategy. Power calculations suggest that mapping of over 99.995% of the territory accessible in bulk exome sequencing is possible in CTCs. We validated our sequencing process in two prostate cancer patients including one for whom we compared CTC-derived mutations to mutations found in a lymph node metastasis and nine cores of the primary tumor. 51 of 73 CTC mutations (70%) were observed in matched tissue. Moreover, we identified 10 early trunk mutations and 56 metastatic trunk mutations in the non-CTC tumor samples and found 90% and 73% of these, respectively, in CTC exomes. This study establishes a foundation for CTC genomics in the clinic.

  Study phs000717

• Biased allelic expression in human primary fibroblast single cells.

  The study of gene expression in mammalian single cells using genomic technologies now provides the possibility to investigate the patterns of allelic gene expression. We have used single-cell RNA sequencing to detect the allele-specific mRNA level in 203 single human primary fibroblast cells over 133,633 unique heterozygous single nucleotide variants (hetSNVs). We have observed that at the snapshot of analyses each cell contains mostly transcripts from one allele from the majority of genes; indeed 76.4% of the hetSNVs display stochastic monoallelic expression in single cells. Remarkably, adjacent hetSNVs exhibit haplotype consistent allelic ratio; in contrast distant sites located in two different genes are independent of the haplotype structure. Moreover, the allele-specific expression in single cells correlated with the abundance of the cellular transcript. We observed that genes expressing both alleles in majority of the single cells at a given time point are rare and enriched in highly expressed genes. The relative abundance of each allele in a cell is controlled by some regulatory mechanisms since we observed related single-cell allelic profiles according to genes. Overall, these results have direct implications in cellular phenotypic variability.

  Study EGAS00001001009

• Evolution of Chromatin Architecture and Transcriptional Regulation in Mammals

  Changes in gene expression are a critical force driving the evolution of form and function. As a result, the mechanisms by which gene expression evolves have become a subject of intense interest. A number of investigators have measured evolutionary changes in gene expression at the chromatin, mRNA, and protein levels, leading to new insights about how species evolve. However, studies of different stages in gene expression have not always been in agreement. For example, the extremely rapid rates of evolutionary changes that have been widely observed at enhancers appear to conflict with the slower rates observed in mRNA abundance. We recently completed a major comparative study in primates showing that this disparity between enhancer and mRNA evolution, in part, reflects extensive compensation at enhancers that jointly determine transcription at target genes. Likewise, related findings have demonstrated that post-transcriptional changes buffer protein abundance to relatively more common differences in mRNA expression. Together, these recent findings demonstrate that evolutionary changes affecting multiple stages of transcriptional regulation often have interdependent effects on gene expression. Here we propose to determine how stages early during transcriptional regulation work in concert, either to conserve gene expression through compensatory changes across stages, or, in rare cases, to change mRNA in ways that alter organism phenotypes. Our central hypothesis is that interactions between stages are common, especially at long evolutionary time-scales. To test this hypothesis we propose an ambitious plan to collect rich genomic data profiling distinct stages of gene expression in two cell types and three tissues from nine mammalian species. We have focused our study on several early rate-limiting steps in mRNA production, using molecular assays selected to provide orthogonal sources of information about chromatin architecture (Hi-C/Hi-ChIP), accessibility (ATAC-seq), transcription (PRO-seq), and mRNA levels (RNA-seq). This project will produce the largest resource of genomic data uniformly collected across mammals to date. We will integrate genomic data using a suite of new computational tools, which together will provide a new understanding of how distinct regulatory stages work in concert during regulatory evolution.

  Study phs002146

• Development of a fully human glioblastoma-in-brain-spheroid model for accelerated translational research

  In glioblastoma (GBM) the intricate interplay between tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment plays a crucial role in tumor progression, invasion, and therapeutic resistance. So far, studying these interactions in a controlled and representative model system has been challenging. Here, we report the development of hGliCS, a human glioma-cortical spheroid model that allows the elucidation of the biology of GBM cells and their interactions with a human-specific brain-like microenvironment and neurons. GBM cells efficiently invade the cortical spheroids, forming a well-connected network of communicating cells. The heterogeneous cellular states of the GBM cells within this model closely resembled findings previously observed in glioblastoma patients and in mouse xenografts. We observed a transition from predominantly mesenchymal-like cells to heterotopic states with a high diversity. In contrast to the substantial changes observed in the tumor cell population, the impact of the GBM cells on the neurons was minimal. We further demonstrate the suitability of hGliCS to test compounds targeting tumor-specific neurobiological features.

  Study EGAS50000000757

• Lenalidomide Resistance in del(5q) Myelodysplastic Syndrome Follows Loss of RUNX1/TP53-mediated Megakaryocytic Differentiation

  Interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 5 (del(5q)) is the commonest structural genomic variant in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Lenalidomide (LEN) is the treatment of choice for patients with del(5q) MDS, but half of the responding patients become resistant within two years. TP53 mutations are detected in ~20% of patients who become resistant to LEN. Our data show that patients who become resistant to LEN harbor either TP53 or RUNX1 mutations or loss of RUNX1 expression. Here we show that LEN-induced degradation of IKZF1 permits a RUNX1/GATA2 complex to drive megakaryocytic differentiation and consequent del(5q) MDS progenitor cell death via CRBN-mediated CSNK1A1 degradation. Overexpression of GATA2 is able to restore LEN sensitivity in the context of RUNX1 or TP53 mutations by enhancing LEN-induced megakaryocytic differentiation. Screening for TP53 and RUNX1 mutations or downregulation should identify patients resistant to LEN, and strategies to activate GATA2 may resensitize del(5q) MDS cells to LEN

  Study EGAS00001004113

• RODAM cohort

  The RODAM study assesses the health and wellbeing of Ghanaian residents in Ghana and Europe and follows them up over time. With this unique approach the RODAM study attempts to unravel the causes of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors among African migrants in Europe and non-migrants sub-Saharan Africa. Fecal samples from RODAM participants in rural, urban Ghana and Amsterdam, the Netherlands were sequenced using 16S rRNA sequencing to assess gut microbiome differences between research sites.

  Study EGAS50000000805

• INfluenza Vaccine to Effectively Stop Cardio Thoracic Events and Decompensated Heart Failure (INVESTED)

  INVESTED was planned as a large, adequately powered, multicenter trial to assess the cardiopulmonary benefit of high- compared with standard-dose influenza vaccine in a high-risk cardiovascular population. In contrast to more complex interventions in patients with cardiac disease, the major potential benefits of this intervention are a) the ease of administration, b) low cost, c) 100% vaccination adherence and d) well established and extremely low risk. This trial, if positive, has the potential to substantially impact a major population attributable CV risk, change practice, and inform health policy by boosting utilization of influenza vaccination.

  Study phs004011

• 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

• Multi-omic characterisation of PBMCs in IBD

  We generated 10X, droplet-based Multiome (paired RNA+ATAC) data of PBMCs in 38 IBD patients. Patients are either UC or CD patients. To test the responsiveness of the cells to bacterial stimuli, we stimulated samples with either RPMI, LPS or S. Salmonella (total: 80 samples). Single-nuclei libraries are multiplexed across donors. Genotypes are provided in this dataset to perform genetic demultiplexing, phenotypes providing mapping information to retrace donors / pools / stimulations.

  Study EGAS50000000140

• Genetic Analysis of Normal Human Facial Variation

  The purpose of this project is to identify genes associated with normal human quantitative facial variation. The motivation for this project stems from the fact that very little is known about how variation in specific genes relates to the diversity of facial forms commonly observed in humans. Viable candidates for these morphogenes originate from a number of sources: tissue expression studies, animal models with targeted or spontaneous mutations, and genetic syndromes with craniofacial manifestations. Importantly, understanding the genetic basis for normal facial variation also has important implications for health-related research. For example, this work has the potential to shed light on the factors influencing liability to common craniofacial anomalies such as orofacial clefts. There is now ample evidence that certain facial features (e.g., increased midfacial retrusion) characterize individuals genetically at-risk for orofacial clefts (e.g., biological relatives of affected cases). While these predisposing facial features are statistically over-represented in at-risk groups, they are also common in the general population. Since many of the current candidate genes for clefting are thought to play a critical role in facial morphogenesis, variation in these genes may also underlie normal variation in these facial features. These candidate genes, however, probably represent only a small fraction of the total number of loci influencing normal human facial variation. Phenotypes for this project were obtained from over 3000 healthy Caucasian subjects recruited through three separate studies. The majority of the subjects were recruited as part of the 3D Facial Norms Project, which is described in extensive detail here: (https://www.facebase.org/facial_norms/notes). The provided dbGaP phenotypes include a series of anthropometric craniofacial measurements (linear distances) primarily derived from 3D photographic facial surface scans (see previous hyperlink). The specific genotyping requested is described elsewhere in this document. Our analysis team is pursuing a variety of different analytic approaches to derive genetically informative phenotypes, including various shape-based morphometric methods. For those interested in pursuing more advanced phenotypic approaches, the original 3D surface scans and additional phenotypic traits are available to researchers through the FaceBase Consortium. This dataset has the potential to facilitate the discovery of new genetic loci with an important role in both normal and abnormal facial development. It may also serve as a dataset to test hypotheses regarding specific SNP associations (e.g. as a replication dataset) or as part of a larger meta-analysis.

  Study phs000949

• Somatic Copy Number Analysis of Endometrial Carcinomas

  Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most commonly diagnosed gynecologic malignancy in the United States and is the sixth leading cause of cancer death amongst American women. The purpose of this study was to identify somatic (tumor-specific) copy number alterations in 7 clear cell ECs, 31 serous ECs, 17 endometrioid ECs, and the clear cell components of 2 endometrioid/clear cell ECs. To this end, DNAs from de-identified primary endometrial tumors and matched non-tumor tissues or blood were hybridized to high-density Illumina Infinium HumanHap650Y Beadchips or to high-density Human660W-Quad Beadchips and the data analyzed to annotate somatic copy number alterations throughout the genome.

  Study phs001690

• Genetic landscape of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors

  Neurofibromatosis 1 is a hereditary syndrome characterized by the development of numerous benign neurofibromas, a small subset of which progress to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). To better understand the genetic basis for MPNSTs, we performed whole genome sequencing on four MPNSTs from patients with neurofibromatosis 1 and found that each of them had a somatic, inactivating mutation of SUZ12, a chromatin modifying gene adjacent to the NF1 gene responsible for the benign neurofibromas in these patients. We then performed targeted sequencing on an additional 46 MPNSTs and found that 12 had somatic mutations in SUZ12. Fifteen of the 17 (88%) mutations in SUZ12 were predicted to inactivate protein function, implicating it as a tumor suppressor gene possibly responsible for the progression from neurofibromas to MPNTs.

  Study EGAS00001000974

• A Pilot Trial of Complement Inhibition Using Eculizumab to Overcome Platelet Transfusion Refractoriness in HLA Allo-Immunized Patients

  Platelet transfusion can be a life-saving procedure in preventing or treating serious bleeding in patients who have low and/or dysfunctional platelets. Heavily transfused patients frequently develop human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allo-immunization resulting in platelet transfusion refractoriness and a high risk for life-threatening thrombocytopenia. Data suggest complement activation leading to the destruction of platelets bound by HLA allo-antibodies may play a pathophysiologic role in platelet refractoriness. We conducted a pilot trial to investigate the use of eculizumab to treat platelet transfusion refractoriness in allo-immunized patients with severe thrombocytopenia. We hypothesized that when we treated patients having platelet refractoriness with eculizumab, platelet counts would increase to higher numbers after platelet transfusions, decreasing the risk of bleeding complications associated with having a low platelet count. The response of the treatment was assessed by the corrected platelet count increment (CCI) 10 - 60 min and 18 - 24 h post transfusion, and any requirement for subsequent platelet transfusions following eculizumab. Reference 1 (PMID: 32086819) contains the main results for this trial.

  Study phs003212

• CIDR Whole Exome Sequencing in Joubert Syndrome

  The purpose of this study is to identify new genetic causes of neurodevelopmental diseases (NDDs) in the Joubert syndrome (JS) spectrum. Joubert syndrome is a recessive disease characterized by cerebellar vermis hypoplasia. Our currently funded NINDS award entitled "Molecular characterization of Joubert syndrome" seeks to identify new genetic causes through a variety of molecular strategies. Although our previous strategies involved whole genome SNP-scans, followed by candidate gene sequencing to arrive at identification of new JS causes, we have recently moved to Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) as a highly efficient methodology that is optimized for recessive disease. In this pilot project, CIDR has sequenced DNA on probands from 20 inbred families with JS spectrum disorders in which known causes have been excluded, that have not previously undergone genome-wide SNP scans. These paired end reads will be subject to our established bioinformatics pipeline including HOMOZGYOSITY, SNP and INDEL callers in our lab to identify potentially deleterious sequence changes (PDSC). This is followed by analysis to include testing each PDSC for segregation in the whole pedigree, for occurrence in a ethnically-matched cohort, as well as a defined patient cohort patients, in order to validate new NDD genes.

  Study phs000382

• Epigenetic profiling of colorectal cancer initiating cells (CC-ICs) to identify bivalently marked genes (H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 ChIP-seq), and investigation of changes in transcriptome following EZH2 inhibition using RNA-seq.

  Epigenetic regulation of transcription plays a crucial role in lineage commitment of embryonic stem cells. Promoters of key lineage-specific differentiation genes are found in a repressed bivalent state, having both activating H3K4me3 and repressive H3K27me3 histone marks, making them poised for transcription upon loss of H3K27me3 in response to environmental cues. Whether the tumour-initiating, self-renewing, cancer-initiating cells (C-ICs) have similar epigenetic regulatory mechanism that prevent lineage commitment is unknown. In order to investigate bivalently marked and repressed promoters, we used a patient-derived CC-IC enriched model to identify the changes in transcriptome following inhibition of EZH2, the H3K27 methyltransferase. We also performed ChIP-seq for H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 at baseline in order to identify repressed and bivalently marked promoters.

  Study EGAS00001003003

• Identifying novel DNA damage response genes in radiosensitive individuals

  Ionizing radiation is an effective therapeutic agent for cancer treatment as well as a potent carcinogen. Sensitivity to the cell-killing effects of radiation can vary across human population with a subset of individuals displaying extreme hypersensitivity. It is usually attributable to inherited defects in DNA damage response pathways. The present study was designed to elucidate the genetic basis of variation in hypersensitivity to radiation exposure through exome sequencing of radiosensitive individuals, with the ultimate goal of identifying genes with the most significant effects on cellular DNA damage responses. The study participants included subjects referred for clinical testing for Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome (NBS) or Ligase IV Syndrome. These are rare, recessive genetic disorders and hypersensitivity to radiation exposure is a common phenotype among individuals affected by all the three disorders. The study participants exhibited phenotypic characteristics similar to individuals with A-T, NBS or Ligase IV Syndrome, but lacked the causative mutations in ATM (GeneID:472) or NBN (GeneID:4683) genes. For further validation of the radiation sensitivity phenotype among the enrolled subjects, B-lymphoblastoid cells lines were established for each subject from peripheral blood lymphocytes. Each cell line was evaluated for displaying impaired survival rates relative to normal controls after exposure to ionizing radiation. 53 subjects with validated phenotype were finally included in the study and DNA extracted from their B-lymphoblastoid cell lines was used for exome sequencing. This sequencing data for radiation sensitive subjects is being made available in the dbGaP. It is hoped that this resource will be beneficial for researchers who wish to further investigate components of human cellular DNA damage response pathways and/or genetic architecture underlying radiation hypersensitivity. This data may also aid in the rational design of new radiosensitizing or radioprotective agents.

  Study phs001911

• Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C)

  Reprinted from http://www.haltctrial.org/ Purpose The Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term use of pegylated interferon for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients who failed to respond to previous interferon therapy. The HALT-C Trial was developed to determine whether prolonged interferon therapy altered histological and clinical outcomes in a group of patients who had failed to eradicate hepatitis C virus with previous interferon treatment. Study Hypotheses In patients with chronic hepatitis C and bridging fibrosis who failed to eradicate the virus with previous interferon therapy, long-term treatment with interferon is safe and can prevent progression to cirrhosis. In patients with cirrhosis secondary to chronic hepatitis C who failed to eradicate the virus with previous interferon therapy, long-term treatment with interferon is safe and can reduce the risks of hepatic decompensation or of hepatocellular carcinoma. Study Design 1145 patients with chronic HCV and advanced hepatic fibrosis (Ishak stage 3-6) who failed to respond to previous treatment with interferon were enrolled at 10 clinical centers and entered into a Lead-in phase. They were treated with a combination of pegylated interferon (Pegasys®, Hoffmann-La Roche) 180 µg/week and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day) for 24 weeks. Patients who had no detectable HCV-RNA at week 20 continued on combination therapy until week 48. 662 patients who did not clear virus were randomly assigned at week 24 to either continue treatment with pegylated interferon alone (90 µg/week) for an additional 42 months, or to have treatment discontinued. All patients were followed at 3-month intervals following randomization. Liver biopsy was performed at baseline and after 1.5 and 3.5 years of treatment. Because of slower than expected enrollment and the approval by the FDA of peginterferon alfa-2b after the start of the trial, we modified the study protocol in three ways. First, criteria for admission to the trial were liberalized to allow patients to enter the trial with lower platelet and white blood cell counts than had been initially considered safe or tolerable. Second, 151 Lead-in patients and those continuing on therapy after 24 weeks who demonstrated return of viremia during or after their 48-week treatment period (called "Breakthrough" or "Relapse" patients, respectively) were allowed to return to enter the randomized trial. Third, 237 patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2b (or with peginterferon alfa-2a in licensing trials) outside the HALT-C Trial who in other respects met all study criteria, having received the equivalent of Trial Lead-in period therapy, were allowed to enter the long-term trial as "Express" patients. A total 1050 patients were randomized. Those patients who completed Month 48 were offered an "extended follow-up (observation only)" until October 2009. These visits will primarily be to identify outcome events, and to provide information to patients concerning the current status of the trial. Some questionnaires, blood tests, and an ultrasonogram will be performed. Quarterly (every 3 months) Interval history of complications, adverse events Current medications Brief physical examination Laboratory tests: liver panel, CBC, INR, AFP Child-Pugh Score Stored serum Annual Complete physical examination Ultrasound of liver 1.5 years (M24 visit, middle of study) Liver biopsy: formalin fixed histology, frozen liver tissue (subset of patients) 3.5 years (M48, end of study) Liver biopsy: formalin fixed histology, frozen liver tissue (subset of patients) Endoscopy: evaluate esophageal varices and portal hypertension After Month 48 Observation only (no treatment) to determine clinical outcomes Clinic visit every 6 months with current medications, brief PE, liver panel, CBC, AFP, stored Serum Ultrasound of liver every 6 months Outcome Variables Primary outcome variables to be assessed in the two groups of patients include: Development of cirrhosis on liver biopsy (progression of Ishak fibrosis score by 2 points or more) Development of hepatic decompensation, as shown by: Sustained increase in the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score to 7 points or higher Variceal hemorrhage Ascites Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis Hepatic encephalopathy Development of hepatocellular carcinoma Death Secondary outcomes include quality of life, serious adverse events, events requiring dose reductions, and development of presumed hepatocellular carcinoma.

  Study phs000430

• Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of hearing loss caused by MYH14 mutation

  Mutations in MYH14 are reported to cause autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hereditary hearing loss (ADNSHL), and 35 variants have been reported to cause hearing loss in various ethnic groups, but the information on prevalence as well as clinical features are fragmented. In this study, genetic screening for MYH14 variants was carried out using a large series of Japanese hearing loss patients to reveal the information. Massively parallel DNA sequencing of 68 target candidate genes was utilized in 8074 (including 1336 ADNSHL) unrelated Japanese hearing loss patients (probands) to identify genomic variations responsible for hearing loss. We identified 20 patients with 14 mutations from 15 pedigrees. The prevalence was proved to be 0.19% (15/8074) among hearing loss patients, and 1.12% (15/1336) among ADNSHL patients. The 12 mutations out of 14 mutations identified were novel. The patients typically showed late onset, slowly progressive modelate flat-type hearing loss. The clinical information revealed by the present study would contribute to further diagnosis and management of MYH14-associated hearing loss.

  Study JGAS000323

• Stratifying and Targeting Pediatric Medulloblastoma through Genomics

  In this project, genomic analyses of pediatric medulloblastoma samples, obtained through the international medulloblastoma consortium, will be performed. RNA and miRNA expression profiles of 1000 samples, representing all four subgroups (Wnt, Shh, Group C, and D), will be studied to identify novel subtypes within each subgroup. The resulting subtype-specific expression profiles will support the development of reliable and robust biomarkers to more accurately and reliably classify medulloblastomas for treatment in clinical trials. For that purpose, two assays will be developed: an antibody-based immunohistochemical assay and an orthogonal nucleic acid-based hybridization assay. Additional genomic DNA analysis of the 300 high risk subgroup cases will support the discovery of subgroup specific somatic mutations in order to inform current clinical trials of targeted therapies, and to identify genes and pathways already targeted in other diseases. Such therapies could be rapidly transitioned to Phase II trials in medulloblastoma. Furthermore, the discovery of somatic mutations could be used for developing as well as validating specific biomarkers. The project team will also try to identify risk factors that predispose children to this type of cancer.

  Study EGAS00001000273

• Short-term fasting before living kidney donation has an immune-modulatory effect

  Background: Short-Term Fasting (STF) is an intervention reducing the intake of calories, without causing undernutrition or micronutrient-related malnutrition. It aims to systemically improve resilience against acute stress. Several (pre-)clinical studies have suggested protective effects of STF, marking the systemic effects STF can induce in respect to surgery and ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, STF also affects the number of circulating immune cells. We aim to determine the effect of STF on the abundance and phenotype of different immune cell populations. Methods: Thirty participants were randomly selected from the FAST clinical trial, including living kidneys donors, randomised to a STF-diet or control arm. In an observational cohort sub-study we prospectively included 30 patients who donated blood samples repeatedly during study runtime. Using flow cytometry analyses, immune cell phenotyping was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Three panels were designed to investigate the presence and activation status of peripheral T cells, B cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and myeloid cells. Results: Eight participants were excluded due to sample constraints. Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences, except for fasting duration. Weight changes were minimal and non-significant across different time intervals, with slight trends towards long-term weight loss pre-surgery. Glucose, insulin, and β-hydroxybutyrate levels differed significantly between groups, reflecting adherence to the fasting diet. Flow cytometry analysis revealed no baseline differences between groups, with high variability within each group. We observed significant changes in immune cell populations due to fasting, particularly in B cells, T cells, and DCs. Discussion: In this study, we found that STF changes the levels and phenotype of immune cells, reducing abundance and activation of T cells and regulatory T cells, increased presence of (naïve) B cells, and elevation of type 1 conventional DCs. Further research should focus on the clinical implications of the changes in immune cell populations and significance of these observed immunological changes. Background: Short-Term Fasting (STF) is an intervention reducing the intake of calories, without causing undernutrition or micronutrient-related malnutrition. It aims to systemically improve resilience against acute stress. Several (pre-)clinical studies have suggested protective effects of STF, marking the systemic effects STF can induce in respect to surgery and ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, STF also affects the number of circulating immune cells. We aim to determine the effect of STF on the abundance and phenotype of different immune cell populations. Methods: Thirty participants were randomly selected from the FAST clinical trial, including living kidneys donors, randomised to a STF-diet or control arm. In an observational cohort sub-study we prospectively included 30 patients who donated blood samples repeatedly during study runtime. Using flow cytometry analyses, immune cell phenotyping was performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Three panels were designed to investigate the presence and activation status of peripheral T cells, B cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and myeloid cells. Results: Eight participants were excluded due to sample constraints. Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences, except for fasting duration. Weight changes were minimal and non-significant across different time intervals, with slight trends towards long-term weight loss pre-surgery. Glucose, insulin, and β-hydroxybutyrate levels differed significantly between groups, reflecting adherence to the fasting diet. Flow cytometry analysis revealed no baseline differences between groups, with high variability within each group. We observed significant changes in immune cell populations due to fasting, particularly in B cells, T cells, and DCs. Discussion: In this study, we found that STF changes the levels and phenotype of immune cells, reducing abundance and activation of T cells and regulatory T cells, increased presence of (naïve) B cells, and elevation of type 1 conventional DCs. Further research should focus on the clinical implications of the changes in immune cell populations and significance of these observed immunological changes.

  Study EGAS00001008034

• A Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) of Risk for Osteosarcoma

  This is a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of osteosarcoma, the most common primary bone malignancy. Osteosarcoma typically occurs in adolescents and young adults. It occurs at increased frequency in several inherited cancer predisposition syndromes but the genetic contribution to sporadic osteosarcoma is largely unexplored. The objective of this study was to identify genetic risk factors for osteosarcoma by conducting a genome-wide association study. We developed collaborations with multiple institutions in order to attain the necessary sample size required to discover novel loci in the genome associated with osteosarcoma using the GWAS approach. Genomic DNA (either blood or buccal in source) derived from osteosarcoma cases was obtained from each participating institution or research group. De-identified blood or buccal cell DNA samples from osteosarcoma cases were derived from existing biobanks at the collaborative institutions. Control subjects were derived from existing NCI cohorts and matched by gender and ethnicity.

  Study phs000734

• Single-Cell Analysis of Human Adipogenesis

  The data in this study consists of RNA sequencing reads and read counts from single-cell and single-nuclei RNA sequencing experiments performed on two cell lines to investigate the transcriptional landscape of human adipogenesis in both the brown and white adipose tissue lineage. The two cell lines are human preadipocytes collected and isolated from a defined anatomical location in the neck of a single individual. This depot is known to harbor white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). These white and brown preadipocytes were immortalized for the purposes of studying human adipogenesis in vitro. In this study we induced differentiation of these two preadipocyte lines and performed RNA sequencing on over 135,000 single cells spanning a 20-day time course from unperturbed preadipocytes to mature adipocytes from both brown and white lineages. Additionally, we performed both single-cell and single-nuclei RNA sequencing to comprehensively compare the advantages and disadvantages of either technique.

  Study phs002461

• Genomic Analysis of Paired Endometrial Cancer Primaries and Metastases

  Formation of metastases is the major cause of cancer related deaths. Recent studies have sequenced primary endometrial carcinomas yielding data for a single entity in the progression from the birth of a progenitor tumor cell to metastatic disease. However, the progression of these tumors to metastases has not been characterized. We performed whole-exome sequencing of 98 tumor biopsies including complex atypical hyperplasias, primary tumors and paired abdominopelvic metastases to survey the evolutionary landscape of endometrial cancer. We expanded and reanalyzed TCGA-data, identifying novel recurrent alterations in primary tumors, including mutations in the estrogen receptor cofactor NRIP1 in 12% of patients. We found that likely driver events tended to be shared by primary and metastatic tissue-samples, with notable exceptions such as ARID1A mutations. Phylogenetic analyses in cases with multiple metastases indicated these metastases typically arose from one lineage of the primary tumor. These data indicate extensive genetic heterogeneity within endometrial cancers and relative homogeneity across metastatic sites.

  Study phs001127

• Colon cancer targeted sequencing study contaning WBCs, primary tumor tissue and plasma samples

  In the setting of localized colon cancer (CC), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) monitoring in plasma has shown potential for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) and predicting higher risk of recurrence. With the tumor-only sequencing approach, however, germline variants may be misidentified as somatic variations, precluding the possibility of tracking in up to 11% of patients due to a lack of known somatic mutations. In this study comprising 148 prospectively recruited localized CC patients, a custom 29-gene panel was utilized to sequence both tumor tissue and matched white blood cells (WBCs) to enhance the accuracy of sequencing results. Performing targeted sequencing of paired tumor tissue and WBCs samples detected additional somatic mutations and increased the number of patients eligible for MRD tracking in plasma, although MRD detection sensitivity was not increased. Furthermore, the germline testing approach revealed the presence of pathogenic germline variants, thereby helping identify patients at elevated risk of hereditary cancer syndromes.

  Study EGAS50000000059

• INCLUDE: Genetic Underpinnings of the Multifactorial Phenotype of Trisomy 21 Patients Unveiled by Multi-Omics Approaches

  The INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Project is an NIH-wide collaboration that seeks to improve health and quality-of-life for people with Down syndrome. The INCLUDE Project Data Coordinating Center and partners created the INCLUDE Data Hub, a centralized data resource that allows access to large-scale clinical and multi-omics datasets specific to Down syndrome and supports collaborative, cloud-based analysis to accelerate scientific discoveries related to Down syndrome and its co-occurring conditions.Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality in livebirths with an incidence of 1 in 700 in the US. To better understand the pathophysiology of DS, this proposal will generate and analyze sequence data on 777 pediatric DS patients from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), as well as 321 mothers and 148 fathers. We anticipate that the information derived from this deeply-phenotyped cohort will allow for improved understanding of the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms underlying DS-associated comorbidities, which may inform on new practices for treatment or innovative future therapies.

  Study phs002983

• UK10K NEURO EDINBURGH

  In the UK10K project we propose a series of complementary genetic approaches to find new low frequency/rare variants contributing to disease phenotypes. These will be based on obtaining the genome wide sequence of 4000 samples from the TwinsUK and ALSPAC cohorts (at 6x sequence coverage), and the exome sequence (protein coding regions and related conserved sequence) of 6000 samples selected for extreme phenotypes. Our studies will focus primarily on cardiovascular-related quantitative traits, obesity and related metabolic traits, neurodevelopmental disorders and a limited number of extreme clinical phenotypes that will provide proof-of-concept for future familial trait sequencing. We will analyse directly quantitative traits in the cohorts and the selected traits in the extreme samples, and also use imputation down to 0.1% allele frequency to extend the analyses to further sample sets with genome wide genotype data. In each case we will investigate indels and larger structural variants as well as SNPs, and use statistical methods that combine rare variants in a locus or pathway as well as single-variant approaches. This sample set consists of subjects with schizophrenia recruited from psychiatric in-patient and out-patient facilities in Scotland. All diagnoses are based on standard research procedures and family histories are available. Patients have IQ>70 and the cohort includes the following groups: 100 cases with detailed clinical, cognitive and structural and functional neuroimaging phenotypes; 138 familial cases who are the probands of families where DNA has been collected from other affected members; 162 unrelated individuals. In most cases patients and their families may be re contacted to take part in further studies.For further information on this cohort please contact Andrew McIntosh (andrew.mcintosh@ed.ac.uk).

  Study EGAS00001000117

• Development of the prevention and therapy of CRC using patient derived culture tissues.

  Tumor tissues consist of functionally heterogeneous cells including those with high clonogenic potential called cancer stem cells (CSCs) which produce differentiated non-tumorigenic progenies. Transplantation assays have been performed to identify cell surface markers in solid tumors including colorectal cancers, which identified several CSC markers such as CD133 and CD44. In addition to the transplantation, the lineage tracing of genetically labelling cells in animal models of cancer qhas been employed to explore the cellular heterogeneity of tumors by identifying the CSCs and its progenies. This approach is particularly useful to investigate solid tumors, where cellular proliferation and differentiation are controlled by niche factors and cell-cell contact with adjacent cells. Lineage tracing of mouse model of cancer unravel the mode of growth of autochthonous tumor in their native environment. In this study, we used patient derived organoids (PDO) established from surgically resected CRC patients to identify the CSC. Single cell RNA-seq analysis identified potential CRC markers, which may exhibit self-renewal activity and produce progenitors

  Study JGAS000139

• Bulk RNA sequencing validating an in vitro model mimicking the taNK phenotype.

  In order to obtain a sufficient amount of taNK cells for functional assays, we established an in vitro model to mimic the phenotype of taNK cells. BulkRNA sequencing was performed in order to validate the obtained phenotype comparing in vitro-generated CD103+CD49a+ (ta)NK cells with CD103-CD49a- non-taNK cells.

  Dataset EGAD50000002387

• Genome_Diversity_in_Africa_Project___GemCode_libraries

  Globally, human populations show structured genetic diversity as a result of geographical dispersion, selection and drift. Understanding this genetic variation can provide insights into the evolutionary processes that shape both human adaptation and variation in disease. Populations from Africa have the highest levels of genetic diversity. This characteristic, in addition to historical genetic admixture, can lead to complexities in the design of studies assessing the genetic determinants of disease and human variation. However, such studies of African populations are also likely to provide new opportunities to discover novel disease susceptibility loci and variants and refine gene–disease association signals. A systematic assessment of genetic diversity within Africa would facilitate genomic epidemiological studies in the region.The Genome Diversity in Africa Project (GDAP) will extend and expand the African Genome Variation (AGV) project, an international collaboration aimed to produce a comprehensive catalogue of human genetic variation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using a sequencing-based approach, GDA project aims to capture human genetic variation in Africa, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), structural variants, and haplotypes. This resource will make a substantial contribution to understanding patterns of genetic diversity within and among populations in Africa, as well as providing a global resource to help design, implement and interpret genomic studies in African populations and studies comprising globally diverse populations, complementing existing genomic resources. Specifically, we plan to carry out whole genome sequencing at high depth (30x) of up to 1000 individuals across Africa (25 individuals from each ethnolinguistic group). We have already completed sequencing from 5 ethno-linguistic groups and we are now adding others.Our scientific objectives are to: 1) develop a resource that provides a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variation in populations from Africa accessible to the global scientific community; 2) characterise population genetic diversity, structure, gene flow and admixture across Africa; 3) develop a cost-efficient, next-generation genotype array for diverse populations across Africa; and 4) facilitate whole genome-sequencing association studies of complex traits and diseases by developing a reference panel for imputation and resource for enhancing fine-mapping disease susceptibility loci. These scientific objectives will be supported by cross-cutting operational activities, including network and management of the consortium, research ethics, and research capacity building in statistical genetics and bioinformatics.

  Study EGAS00001001589

• cfDNA dataset from extracelular vesicles and paired non-fractionated samples

  Liquid biopsies contain multiple analytes that can be mined to improve the detection and management of cancer. Beyond cell-free DNA (cfDNA), mutations have been detected in DNA associated with extracellular vesicles (EV-DNA). The genome-wide composition and structure of EV-DNA remains poorly characterized, and whether circulating EVs are enriched in tumor signal compared to unfractionated cfDNA is still unclear. Here, using whole genome sequencing from selected lung cancer patients with a relatively high cfDNA tumor content >5%, we determined that the tumor fraction and heterogeneity are comparable between DNA associated with small (<200 nm) EVs and matched plasma cfDNA. DNA in EV fractions, obtained with standardized size-exclusion chromatography, are comprised of short ~150-180 bp fragments and long >1000 bp fragments that are poor in tumor signal. Other fractions only exhibit short fragments with similar tumor DNA content. The composition in bases at the end of EV-DNA fragments, as well as their fragmentation patterns are similar to total plasma cfDNA. Mitochondrial DNA however is relatively enriched in EV fractions. Our results suggests that cfDNA in plasma may be of dual nature, either bound to proteins (including the nucleosome) but also associated to EVs. cfDNA associated to small EV (including exosomes) is however not preferentially enriched in tumor signal.

  Study EGAS00001006848

• Genetic Studies of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

  The Genetic Studies of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an ongoing genetic research and biobanking protocol which aims to elucidate the genetic basis CKD. The study recruits patients seen at the Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) Nephrology Division for the evaluation and care of CKD. All patients clinically diagnosed with CKD are eligible to participate; there are no inclusion or exclusion criteria related to age, sex/gender, and/or race/ethnicity. In addition to office visits, patients are recruited in contexts including perinatal care and nonprofit events for patients with various forms of CKD; recruitment tools include bilingual informational brochures, flyers, and consent forms. All individuals provide informed consent; for minors, signature of the parent/guardian is required. Consent includes: use of biosamples given for genetic studies, and the request to be re-contacted if medically actionable genetic findings are identified. In the case of the latter, such research-level findings are first validated in a clinically certified (CLIA) laboratory environment, using a second sample given by the individual at the time of re-contact; following CLIA validation, the individual is once again re-contacted, and, assuming he or she still desires return of these results, they can then be returned. Following the above consent process to participate in the study, individuals provide a single biosample (generally, a venous blood sample), from which DNA is extracted using standard protocols and used for genetic studies, such as exome sequencing. Basic clinical and demographic data, including sex/gender, age, and race/ethnicity are also collected. All data collected is stored in a secure computerized database, with patient samples anonymized using numerical identifiers; the relation of this identifier to patients' names is kept in a locked computer file in a centralized database. Electronic data complies with all HIPAA and other privacy and security regulations, and resides on a firewall server maintained by the CUMC IT department.

  Study phs001828

• Comparison of the treated celiac disease microbiome to that of controls

  Coeliac disease (CeD) is an immune-mediated disorder primarily affecting the small intestine, characterised by an inflammatory immune reaction to dietary gluten. CeD onset results from a multifaceted interplay of genetic and environmental factors. While recent data show that alterations in gut microbiome composition could play an important role, many current studies are constrained by small sample sizes and limited resolution. To address these limitations, we analysed faecal gut microbiota from two Dutch cohorts, CeDNN (128 treated CeD patients (tCeD), 106 controls) and the Lifelines Dutch Microbiome Project (24 self-reported tCeD, 654 controls), using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Self-reported IBS (570 cases, 1710 controls) and IBD (93 cases, 465 controls) were used as comparative conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Interindividual variation within the case and control groups was calculated at whole microbiome and strain level. Finally, species-specific gene repertoires were analysed in tCeD patients and controls. Within-individual microbiome diversity was decreased in patients with self-reported IBS and IBD but not in tCeD patients. Each condition displayed a unique microbial pattern and, in addition to confirming previously reported microbiome associations, we identify an increase in the levels of Clostridium sp. CAG:253, Roseburia hominis, and Eggerthella lenta, amongst others. We further show that the observed changes can partially be explained by gluten-free diet adherence. We also observe increased interindividual variation of gut microbiome composition among tCeD patients and a higher bacterial mutation frequency in tCeD that contributes to higher interindividual variation at strain level. In addition, the immotile European subspecies of Eubacterium rectale, which has a distinct carbohydrate metabolism potential, was nearly absent in tCeD patients. Our study sheds light on the complex interplay between the gut microbiome and CeD, revealing increased interindividual variation and strain-level variation in tCeD patients. These findings expand our understanding of the microbiome’s role in intestinal health and disease. Note that some of the data in this study belong to the Lifelines cohort. Access to this dataset can be requested via the page of the EGA data access committee EGAC00001001996. The phenotype data can be requested, for a fee, by filling the application form at https://www.lifelines.nl/researcher/how-to-apply/apply-here.

  Study EGAS50000000959

• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Network AntiCoagulant Effectiveness in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPFNet-ACE-IPF-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the "Authorized Access" section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Objectives: The ACE-IPF trial tested the hypothesis that treatment with warfarin at recognized therapeutic doses would reduce rates of mortality, hospitalization, and declines in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) in subjects with Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).Background: IPF is a chronic, progressive lung disease of unknown cause characterized by the histopathologic pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia. The median survival of patients with IPF after the onset of symptoms is 2 to 5 years. Prior animal and human studies in pulmonary fibrosis provide a compelling rationale to examine anticoagulation as a therapeutic approach in IPF. Large epidemiologic studies link IPF with thrombosis-related clinical events, such as an increased risk of acute coronary syndrome and deep vein thrombosis. The suspected causal relationship may extend beyond simple coagulation cascade-induced thrombus formation, as procoagulant enzymes may directly stimulate fibrosis via cell surface receptor - mediated responses.Participants: Patients aged 35 to 80 years with progressive IPF were potentially eligible. Progressive IPF was defined as a history of (1) worsening of dyspnea, or (2) physiologic deterioration defined as an absolute decline of either FVC greater than or equal to 10% or DlCO greater than or equal to 15%, a reduction in arterial oxygen saturation of greater than or equal to 5%, or progression of radiographic findings. Between December 14, 2009 and April 1, 2011, 145 subjects were enrolled: 72 in the warfarin group and 73 in the placebo group. The mean age for the population was 67 years. 27% of the subjects were women and 92% were white.Participants were excluded if they met any of the following criteria: current indication for, or treatment with, warfarin, prasugrel, or clopidogrel combined with aspirin; the presence of an increased risk of bleeding; a recent cerebral vascular accident or gastrointestinal bleeding; any current signs or symptoms of severe, progressive, or uncontrolled comorbid illness; and their presence on the active list for lung transplantation. Design: ACE-IPF was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of warfarin targeting an international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.0 to 3.0 in patients with IPF. Subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to warfarin or matching placebo for a planned treatment period of 48 weeks. Study subjects were provided two strengths of warfarin tablets (1 mg and 2.5 mg) or matching placebos. Subjects measured their INR with encrypted meters at least weekly. Participants were seen at screening, baseline, and at 16, 32, and 48 weeks after enrollment. Home monitoring was validated by plasma INR measurement at the week 1 and 16 visits.The primary outcome was a composite endpoint based on the time to all-cause mortality; nonelective, nonbleeding hospitalization; or a decrease in the absolute FVC greater than or equal to 10% from baseline value. Secondary outcome measures included rates of mortality, hospitalization, respiratory-related hospitalization, acute exacerbation, bleeding, cardiovascular events, and changes over time in FVC, 6-minute walk test distance, DlCO, plasma fibrin D-dimer levels, and quality of life (QOL).Conclusions: The study did not show a benefit for warfarin in the treatment of patients with progressive IPF and was terminated due to excess mortality in the warfarin treatment group. Treatment with warfarin was associated with an increased risk of mortality in an IPF population who lacked other indications for anticoagulation.Reported causes of death indicated 11 of the 14 were respiratory-related in the warfarin group versus three of the three in the placebo group. There were also three cardiovascular deaths in the warfarin group versus none in the placebo group. No deaths were attributed to bleeding. The warfarin group also demonstrated an increased rate of combined all-cause hospitalization and all-cause mortality. (Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012 Jul 1;186(1):88-95.)

  Study phs004070

• Center for Common Disease Genomics (CCDG) - Cardiovascular: BioImage Cohort

  The genetic basis of cardiovascular disease in individuals of non-European ancestry remains largely unknown. Availability of ethnically diverse study populations is essential to fully investigate the underlying causes of disease. The BioImage Study enrolled adults aged 55-80 in a prospective observational study. Subjects had no prior history of cardiovascular disease, but were identified to be at intermediate to high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular events (PMID: 25790876). The recruiting target was a cohort with similar demographics to the US population in terms of race and ethnicity. Produced as part of the NHGRI Centers for Common Disease Genomics, this study contains whole genome sequence data and variant calls from 922 African American participants of the BioImage Study.

  Study phs002325

• RNAseq

  Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a prototypical periodic fever syndrome caused by genetic variation in MEFV. While it is known that especially IL-1β responses are dysregulated in FMF, its innate immune landscape has not been comprehensively described. Therefore, we extensively characterized the function of monocytes and neutrophils in patients with FMF in between disease attacks, as well as their circulating inflammatory proteome. We found that monocyte IL-1 and IL-6 production was enhanced following a range of stimulations, in concordance with alterations in the plasma inflammatory proteome. In contrast, neutrophil function in FMF was normal. Additionally, ATAC-seq and RNA-seq analyses revealed important epigenetic and transcriptional reprogramming arguing for monocyte function dysregulation. Interestingly, chromatin-accessibility was down-regulated in genomic regions related to cellular responses. This argues that the primary immune dysregulation in monocytes due to MEFV mutations leads to a chronic inflammatory profile that is subsequently associated with counterregulatory epigenetic and transcriptional changes reminiscent of tolerance (rather than trained immunity) induction. These data increase our understanding of the innate immune changes in FMF, that can be used in the design of novel approaches to manage chronic inflammation of these patients.

  Study EGAS00001007165

• Nuclease deficiencies alter plasma cell-free DNA methylationprofiles (mouse)

  The effects of DNASE1L3 or DNASE1 deficiency on cfDNA methylation was explored in plasma of mice deficient in these nucleases and in DNASE1L3-deficient humans. Compared to wildtype cfDNA, cfDNA in Dnase1l3-deficient mice was significantly hypomethylated, while cfDNA in Dnase1-deficient mice was hypermethylated. The cfDNA hypomethylation in Dnase1l3-deficient mice was due to increased fragmentation and representation from open chromatin regions (OCRs) and CpG islands (CGIs). These findings were absent in Dnase1-deficient mice.

  Study EGAS00001004696

• Nuclease deficiencies alter plasma cell-free DNA methylationprofiles (Human)

  The effects of DNASE1L3 or DNASE1 deficiency on cfDNA methylation was explored in plasma of mice deficient in these nucleases and in DNASE1L3-deficient humans. Compared to wildtype cfDNA, cfDNA in Dnase1l3-deficient mice was significantly hypomethylated, while cfDNA in Dnase1-deficient mice was hypermethylated. The cfDNA hypomethylation in Dnase1l3-deficient mice was due to increased fragmentation and representation from open chromatin regions (OCRs) and CpG islands (CGIs). These findings were absent in Dnase1-deficient mice.

  Study EGAS00001004897

• A Heterozygous Missense Mutation in the Coiled-Coil Domain of STAT5B is Associated with Leukocytosis, Lymphadenopathy, Splenomegaly, Necrotizing Granulomas, Hyper-IgM and Thrombocytopenia

  We describe one patient with a heterozygous missense mutation in the coiled-coil domain of STAT5B. This patient presented with leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, necrotizing granulomas, hyper-IgM and autoimmune thrombocytopenia. Mutant STAT5B protein was shown to dominantly-interfere with IL2-induced transcriptional activity resulting in global downregulation of STAT5-regulated genes in patient T cells. The patient exhibited an increase in CD4+ T effector memory cells in the peripheral blood and these cells were resistant to restimulation-induced cell death in vitro.

  Study phs001479

• Genomics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

  Despite the growing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to increased hepatitis C virus infection and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in Western populations, the genetic determinants of this cancer have yet to be established. A minority (15-20%) of HCC occurs in livers without cirrhosis or other chronic disease. Because the liver is functionally preserved in these patients and surgical resection of the tumor may be performed safely, and because of the scarcity of livers available for transplantation, non-cirrhotic patients undergo surgical resection for HCC treatment. These resected tumors present investigatory opportunities in two ways: First, they provide tumor specimen which have not been treated with chemotherapy and embolization. Second, the absence of cirrhosis may provide an unconfounded background from which to investigate the genetic tumorigenesis of HCC. In livers with cirrhosis, genetic instability is prevalent as assessed by assays for microsatellite instability, loss of heterozygosity and aberrant DNA methylation. In contrast, in livers without cirrhosis, the non-tumor tissue surrounding HCC have been found to have fewer genetic aberrations. It has been postulated that the pathologic process of cirrhosis may result in the accumulation of many "passenger"; as well as "driver" mutations, and that the examination of the HCC cancer genome may be facilitated in non-cirrhotic livers because of the absence of an accumulated background noise of mutations.

  Study phs001106

• Distinct evolutionary trajectories of primary high grade serous ovarian cancers revealed through spatial mutational profiling

  High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) is characterized by poor outcome, often attributed to emergence of treatment-resistant sub-clones. We sought to measure the degree of genomic diversity within primary, untreated HGSC to examine the natural state of tumor evolution prior to therapy. We performed exome sequencing, copy number analysis, targeted amplicon deep sequencing and gene expression profiling on thirty-one spatially and temporally separated HGSC tumor specimens (six patients) including ovarian masses, distant metastases, and fallopian tube lesions. We found widespread intra-tumoral variation in mutation, copy number, and gene expression profiles, with key driver alterations in genes present in only a subset of samples (e.g. PIK3CA, CTNNB1, NF1). On average, only 51.5% of mutations were present in every sample of a given case (range: 10.2% to 91.4%), with TP53 as the only somatic mutation consistently present in all samples. Complex segmental aneuploidies, such as whole genome doubling, were present in a subset of samples from the same individual, with divergent copy number changes segregating independently of point mutation acquisition. Reconstruction of evolutionary histories showed one patient with mixed HGSC and endometrioid histology with common etiologic origin in the fallopian tube and subsequent selection of different driver mutations in the histologically distinct samples. In this patient, we observed mixed cell populations in the early fallopian tube lesion, indicating diversity arises at early stages of tumorigenesis. Our results reveal that HGSC exhibit highly individual evolutionary trajectories and diverse genomic tapestries prior to therapy, exposing an essential biological characteristic to inform future design of personalized therapeutic solutions and investigation of drug resistance mechanisms.

  Study EGAS00001000547

• Relation between transcriptome, karyotype and age in cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies.

  Why women live longer than men is still an open question in human biology. Sex chromosomes have been proposed to play a role in the observed sex gap in longevity, and the Y male chromosome has been suspected of having a potential toxic genomic impact on male longevity. It has been hypothesized that transposable element (TE) repression declines with age, potentially leading to detrimental effects such as somatic mutations and disrupted gene expression, which may accelerate the aging process. Given that the Y chromosome is rich in repeats, age-related increases in TE expression could be more pronounced in males, likely contributing to their reduced longevity compared to females. In this work, we first studied whether TE expression is associated with the number of sex chromosomes in humans. We analyzed blood transcriptomic data obtained from individuals of different karyotype compositions: 46,XX females (normal female karyotype), 46,XY males (normal male karyotype), as well as males with abnormal karyotypes, such as 47,XXY, and 47,XYY.

  Study EGAS50000001009

• Relation between transcriptome, karyotype and age in cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies.

  Why women live longer than men is still an open question in human biology. Sex chromosomes have been proposed to play a role in the observed sex gap in longevity, and the Y male chromosome has been suspected of having a potential toxic genomic impact on male longevity. It has been hypothesized that transposable element (TE) repression declines with age, potentially leading to detrimental effects such as somatic mutations and disrupted gene expression, which may accelerate the aging process. Given that the Y chromosome is rich in repeats, age-related increases in TE expression could be more pronounced in males, likely contributing to their reduced longevity compared to females. In this work, we first studied whether TE expression is associated with the number of sex chromosomes in humans. We analyzed blood transcriptomic data obtained from individuals of different karyotype compositions: 46,XX females (normal female karyotype), 46,XY males (normal male karyotype), as well as males with abnormal karyotypes, such as 47,XXY, and 47,XYY.

  Study EGAS00001007462

• Discovering genetic causes of optic atrophy syndromes through whole exome sequencing

  The genetic defects leading to optic atrophy range from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) point mutations in Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), to dominant and recessive mutations affecting a cluster of nuclear genes implicated in mitochondrial dynamics. We performed WES in patients with an optic atrophy spectrum disorder, including retinal macular dystrophy and kidney insufficiency leading to transplantation, associated with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion without accumulation of multiple deletions, to identify the genetic causes of this syndrome.

  Study EGAS00001003850

• single cell sequencing of resting and Influenza-stimulated mononcluear phagocytes of African and Europeans with varying degree of ex-vivo susceptibility to Influenza

  There is considerable inter-individual immunological and clinical variability upon influenza A virus (IAV) infection in humans; yet, the factors underlying such heterogeneity remain elusive. Here, using an ex vivo cellular model that captures natural variation in the transcriptional responses of monocytes to IAV, we find significant differences in viral mRNA levels between individuals of African and European ancestry. Using single cell analyses, we show that the overall number of cells that will ultimately become infected, rather than the amount of viral transcript expression per cell, is the main driver of the surprisingly higher IAV mRNA levels detected in European cells. Finally, we identify 135 genes, including the interferon-stimulated genes IFITM3, MX1, and OAS3, for which basal mRNA expression levels associate with IAV mRNA levels post infection. Our findings reveal that basal differences in activation of IRF/STAT-induced antiviral mechanisms may contribute to individual and population disparities in susceptibility to IAV infection.

  Study EGAS00001005000

• Genomic analysis and evolutionary modeling of breast and larynx cancer, based on specimens from Polish population

  We explore the genomic characteristics of the original dataset of breast and larynx cancer specimens of several cell types from the collection of the Department of Applied Radiology of the Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Krakow (Poland) Branch and Institute of Human Genetics Polish Academy of Sciences. DNA from paired tissue samples from primary tumor locations and concurrent metastasis to regional lymph nodes was sequenced and matched to controls. A range of genomic analyses was carried out, such as estimation of variant allele frequencies (VAF) and copy number variation (CNV). They show that subsets of variants from primary tumors are present in metastatic lymph nodes and that the CNV pattern is similar, but not identical to that known in the literature. In addition to that, we fit the VAF data to theoretical site frequency spectra predicted by multiple models found in the literature. Analysis suggests existence of secondary advantageous subclones arising on the clonal background as well as of a number of neutral or slightly deleterious passenger mutations.

  Study EGAS00001006456

• Subclonal somatic copy number alterations emerge and dominate in recurrent osteosarcoma

  Multiple large-scale genomic profiling efforts have been undertaken in osteosarcoma to define the genomic drivers of tumorigenesis, therapeutic response, and disease recurrence. The spatial and temporal intratumor heterogeneity could also play a role in promoting tumor growth and treatment resistance. Here, we conducted longitudinal whole-genome sequencing of 37 tumor samples from eight patients with osteosarcoma that relapsed or became refractory to initial therapy. We found that the chemoresistant population in recurrent osteosarcoma is subclonal at diagnosis, emerges at the time of primary resection due to selective pressure from neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and is characterized by unique oncogenic amplifications.

  Study EGAS00001007486

• Characterisation of the genomic landscape of CRLF2-d ALL

  To determine the clinical and genetic landscape of CRLF2 deregulated acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (CRLF2-d ALL). We identified 172 patients with a CRLF2 rearrangement treated on either the UKALL2003 trial for children and adolescents (1-24 years) or the UKALLXII trial for adolescents and adults (15-59 years). Genomic technologies from conventional karyotyping, and FISH through to whole genome and exome sequencing were used to characterise the genomes of patients with CRLF2-d ALL. This is the largest study to date to investigate the genomic landscape of CRLF2-d ALL and define CRLF2-d as a unique subgroup of B-other ALL. We have confirmed the high incidence of CRLF2-d in Down syndrome-ALL and demonstrated the co-existence of CRLF2-d with other primary chromosomal rearrangements, suggesting that in these patients CRLF2-d can be a secondary genetic abnormality. Other defining features included enrichment of IKZF1, BTG1 and ADD3 deletions in IGH-CRLF2 patients and specific chromosomal gains seen at much higher frequencies than B-other ALL . We report recurrent established and new co-operating abnormalities and the novel involvement of USP9X and DDX3X in CRLF2-d ALL. It is clear from these data that CRLF2-d ALL is heterogenoeus, requiring a combination of genetic abnormalities in functionally relevent genes, to work alongside the deregulated expression of CRLF2 in order to initiate and drive leukaemogenesis in this subtype. Although the functional relevance of many of the abnormalities presented here are currently unknown, many are likely to activate alternate pathways or sensitize patients to current therapies.

  Dataset EGAD00001002007