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)

Germ cell tumours (GCTs) are a collection of benign and malignant neoplasms derived from primordial germ cells (PGCs). They are uniquely able to generate embryonic and extraembryonic tissues, which in malignant GCTs carries prognostic and therapeutic significance. The developmental pathways underpinning GCT initiation and histogenesis are incompletely understood. Here, we studied the phylogenetic and transcriptional diversity of 15 malignant gonadal GCTs and four normal testis biopsies by ... (Show More)

Germ cell tumours (GCTs) are a collection of benign and malignant neoplasms derived from primordial germ cells (PGCs). They are uniquely able to generate embryonic and extraembryonic tissues, which in malignant GCTs carries prognostic and therapeutic significance. The developmental pathways underpinning GCT initiation and histogenesis are incompletely understood. Here, we studied the phylogenetic and transcriptional diversity of 15 malignant gonadal GCTs and four normal testis biopsies by sequencing 131 whole genomes and 416 transcriptomes from 14 gonadal histologies, excised by laser capture microdissection. Our findings demonstrate that tumours were initiated by whole genome duplication likely in embryogenesis, within ~5-8 cell divisions ... (Read more)