The human placenta harbours chromosomal aberrations that are absent from the fetus in one to two percent of pregnancies. This confined mosaicism suggests that embryonic genetic bottlenecks exist, which phylogenetically segregate placental tissue. Here, we studied the somatic genetic landscape of human placentas by whole genome sequencing of 86 placental biopsies and of 106 microdissections.

The human placenta harbours chromosomal aberrations that are absent from the fetus in one to two percent of pregnancies. This confined mosaicism suggests that embryonic genetic bottlenecks exist, which phylogenetically segregate placental tissue. Here, we studied the somatic genetic landscape of human placentas by whole genome sequencing of 86 placental biopsies and of 106 microdissections.

Leukaemia and related blood cancers occur due to genetic changes that typically accumulate over many years. This study will employ targeted next-generation sequencing to retrace the preclinical evolution of several types of haematological malignancy. Investigating the progression of the earliest pre-malignant ancestral clones promises to offer valuable insights into early leukaemia evolution and therapeutic vulnerabilities of leukaemia stem cells.

Leukaemia and related blood cancers occur due to genetic changes that typically accumulate over many years. This study will employ targeted next-generation sequencing to retrace the preclinical evolution of several types of haematological malignancy. Investigating the progression of the earliest pre-malignant ancestral clones promises to offer valuable insights into early leukaemia evolution and therapeutic vulnerabilities of leukaemia stem cells.

During the course of a lifetime normal human cells accumulate mutations. Here, using multiple samples from the same individuals we compared the mutational landscape in 29 anatomical structures from soma and the germline. Two ubiquitous mutational signatures, SBS1 and SBS5/40, accounted for the majority of acquired mutations in most cell types but their absolute and relative contributions varied substantially. SBS18, potentially reflecting oxidative damage, and several additional signatures ... (Show More)

During the course of a lifetime normal human cells accumulate mutations. Here, using multiple samples from the same individuals we compared the mutational landscape in 29 anatomical structures from soma and the germline. Two ubiquitous mutational signatures, SBS1 and SBS5/40, accounted for the majority of acquired mutations in most cell types but their absolute and relative contributions varied substantially. SBS18, potentially reflecting oxidative damage, and several additional signatures attributed to exogenous and endogenous exposures contributed mutations to subsets of cell types. The mutation rate was lowest in spermatogonia, the stem cell from which sperm are generated and from which most genetic variation in the human population is t... (Read more)