News In Genomics

Genetics Reveals Benefits of Vacations and Meditation

Go ahead and take that vacation because it is good for you. While you are at it, add a meditation retreat as well. These are some of the conclusions of a scientific study comparing the effects of resort vacations and meditation retreats on gene expression. The results show that a resort vacation away from a busy environment reduces the biological processes linked to stress. Similarly, meditation was linked to fewer depression symptoms and even less stress when it is done during a resort vacation. This study shows that in addition to psychological benefits, the effects of vacations and medication can be felt at the level of the gene.

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Genetics Explains Your Coffee Addiction

Can’t resist the urge for another cup of coffee? Take comfort in the findings of a new study, which shows an association between the activity of the PDSS2 gene and coffee consumption. The gene PDSS2 regulates the expression of genes associated with caffeine metabolism. According to a genome-wide association study conducted in Dutch and Italian populations, certain SNPs may reduce the expression of the PDSS2 gene and stimulate coffee consumption.

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Fighting Disease with Math in a Test Tube

Duke University researchers have successfully generated strands of synthetic DNA that can be mixed in a test tube to form analog circuits and alter their quantity. When mixed in the right amounts, these synthetic DNA strands can use bond formation and breakage to either add or subtract stands, as well as multiply. This analog DNA circuit differs from most DNA circuits, which are digital and require special circuitry to operate. The researchers are hopeful that this discovery could be used to detect and treat various diseases.

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Existing Drug Compounds Prove Powerful Against Zika

According to a team of researchers, some existing drug compounds have proven successful in halting the replication of the Zika virus inside the human body. This protects fetal brain cells and leads to the prevention of birth defects in newborns. The researchers are optimistic that these existing compounds will quickly provide effective drug therapies for patients fighting Zika virus.

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RNA-based Testing Could Detect Bacterial Infections in Febrile Infants

Two new studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association provide evidence to support the benefits of gene expression tests in febrile infants. Both studies strongly support the notion that gene analysis could be used to differentiate febrile infants with bacterial infections from those without. The researchers are hopeful that these RNA-based tests can succeed where most laboratory tests have failed.

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Gene Mutations Linked to Some Age-related Conditions

A study performed by British researchers takes a closer look at the causes of hearing loss in mice. The study shows that mutations in certain genes are linked to hearing loss and other conditions such as osteoarthritis. According to the researchers, the study of age-related conditions in mice could prove useful in enhancing our understanding of the genetic causes of other age-related conditions. This could also help in the development of treatments for such conditions.

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Eye Color Linked to Risk of Skin Cancer

Researchers from Ohio State University and New York University have found a link between the genetic mechanism that underlies uveal and skin melanomas. By examining mutations in the pigment cells of the eye, scientists hope to get a better understanding of whether an individual is prone to skin cancer or not. The researchers are hopeful that this information will spur closer systematic analysis of the genome data of uveal melanoma patients.

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"Cyclops" Beetles Give Insight Into New Evolutionary Traits

Scientists at Indiana University studied cycloptic beetles to gain a better understanding of how new traits evolve through preexisting genes. In the study, they turned off the orthodenticle gene in dung beetles, which led to the growth of two compound eyes. This change did not occur in other species of beetles whose orthodenticle genes were turned off.

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Dangers of Antibiotic Therapy in Infant Mice

A new study published in Nature Microbiology suggests that when mice are given antibiotic therapy at infancy, their risk of developing type 1 diabetes increases. In this mouse study, the researchers used antibiotic doses designed to mimic those typically administered to human children; this resulted in some alteration of the gut microbes in the young mice, which made them more likely to develop type 1 diabetes.

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The "RNA World" That Preceded Modern Life

Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have successfully synthesized a ribozyme that can amplify genetic information and create functional molecules. This is a huge step towards recreating the "RNA world," which existed before modern DNA-based organisms. This new ribozyme is capable of creating copies of short RNAs efficiently, and transcribe longer RNAs to generate working RNA molecules with complex structures. It is believed that during the era of the “RNA world” about 4 billion years ago, protein enzymes were responsible for gene replication and transcription.

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Uncovering the Progression of Gingivitis to Periodontitis

According to an investigation documented in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, researchers have mapped out the microbial ecology of the mouth for two gum diseases. Every stage of the progression from gingivitis to periodontitis has been charted out. This was accomplished through the successful sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, which offered insight into the oral microbiomes. This information can prove quite useful in our understanding of oral health and help prevent periodontal diseases.

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Long-Lived Parents Linked to Lower Risk of Heart Disease

A study led by the University of Exeter shows that the longevity of your parents puts you at a lower risk for certain cancers and heart problems. The information suggests that people in their 60s and 70s are more likely to be free of these particular health problems if their parents had long lives. This study focused on 75,000 UK residents; protective variants of genes for certain diseases, such as coronary artery disease, were found in residents that had parents that lived long lives.

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Distinguishing Genetic Inclination Towards Fear and Aggression in Dogs

A dog has a genetic predisposition to displaying aggressive behavior towards its owner and familiar dogs. This trait differs from that of fear and aggression towards unfamiliar humans and dogs. According to a study published in BMC Genomics, researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital have identified 12 genes responsible for this difference in canine behavior. This research provides further understanding for dealing with anxiety disorders in veterinary behavioral medicine.

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Virus Attracts Bees to Infected Plants

University of Cambridge plant scientists have discovered that the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) lures bumblebees to infected plants. The virus alters gene expression in infected plants; this changes the scent of the plants, which attracts bees. Researchers say that replicating the scent of the plant could be useful for enticing declining bee populations to pollinate crops, which would benefit both humans and the bees.

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Scientists Come Closer to Finding Genetic Source of Sociability

Researchers from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) are studying Williams syndrome to better understand what makes some people sociable. Williams syndrome is known for causing overly social behavior and it is linked to the disappearance of some genes on chromosome 7. The researchers created a Williams syndrome model and compared it to normal cells. They found out that people with the syndrome had neurons with longer dendrites, more spines, and more synapses. Although the precise answer remains elusive, the current model is a step towards finding an answer.

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E. coli Genomes Continue Changing After all These Years

An international team of researchers has sequenced whole genomes of E. coli in an effort to identify genes with mutations that confer a competitive advantage over their evolutionary ancestors. The scientists discovered over 14,000 mutations in different generations of a dozen bacterial populations. The project dubbed the long-term evolution experiment (LTEE) was started in 1988. In addition to discovering genetic differences in the E. coli populations, the team also found some similarities. By allowing us to predict how bacteria evolve, results from the ongoing LTEE may improve human health by increasing our understanding of the microbiome and chronic infections.

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Why is the Blueprint of Life DNA and not RNA?

A recent study published in the journal Nature Structural and Molecular Biology provides an answer to the long-standing puzzle as to why DNA, rather than RNA, is the repository of genetic information. When both molecules are in the form of a double helix, DNA becomes more flexible and dynamic than RNA. This structural versatility allows DNA to contort and accommodate chemical changes to the four basic building blocks (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine). Understanding and maintaining the dynamic nature of the DNA double helix is key to preventing cancer and aging.

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Dinosaurs May Have Been Able to See a Spectrum of Red

A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society suggests that just like birds and turtles, dinosaurs had the ability to recognize the color red. Scientists reconstructed the evolutionary history of the "red gene" called CYP2J1, which allows birds and turtles to see the color red. Their findings provide evidence that CYP2J1 is about 250 million years old. This suggests that the ability to see many shades of the color red is an evolutionary trait that dinosaurs possessed, as a result of enhanced "red vision" from red retinal oil.

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Pesticides May Be Doing More Harm Than Good to Honeybees

A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology has shown that chlorothalanil, a pesticide used to improve honeybee health, could be responsible for harming the bacterial communities in their guts. The pesticide is typically used on honeybees to get rid of Varroa mites, but this study showed that it contains chemicals, which causes alterations in the gut microbiome of the bees. This damages the honeybees' ability to metabolize sugars and peptides that are essential for their health. The microbiome was analyzed by sequencing the V2-V3 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene.

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Gene Testing Could Uncover Risk of Cancer Within Family Trees

Researchers have discovered through genetic testing of sarcoma patients that certain genetic errors are clustered within some family trees. These genetic errors could cause a variety of cancers to develop. More than half of the tested patients were found to have gene mutations for at least one gene that was tied to a higher cancer risk. This information provides evidence that increased risk for certain cancers is an inherited trait.

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Genes Predict Inclination Towards Alcoholism

A study shows that hundreds of genes play a role in increasing one's inclination towards alcoholism. Scientists at Indiana and Purdue universities compared the genes of rats bred to drink alcohol excessively and low-alcohol-drinking rat lines. They found that over 900 genes played a role in determining whether a rat is prone to alcoholism. The scientists believe that this information can be used to predict possible alcoholism in humans and even in the creation of pharmacological solutions that could curb alcoholism.

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Elephant Survival Relies on Passed-down Knowledge

DNA evidence reveals an important survival trait in desert elephants. Similarities in the genetic materials of Namibian and African savanna elephants point to the transfer of knowledge through generations of desert-dwelling elephants. These elephants have passed down the knowledge for adapting to the desert weather through behaviors like covering their bodies in wet sand to stay cool.

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Researchers Find Genetic Cause of Smoke Tolerance in Humans

Researchers at Penn State report finding the genetic mutation that allows all humans to have increased tolerance for smoke. Humans are the only species with an evolutionary trait, which allows us to remain somewhat tolerant to smoke arising from fire used in common practices like cooking and heating. To a moderate extent, our bodies can process some of the hydrophobic compounds found within smoke in order to prevent infection.

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Stopping Disease Outbreaks with Customized mRNA Vaccines

MIT scientists report creating an experimental vaccine that has successfully kept mice safe from diseases like Ebola. The vaccine is comprised of messenger RNA (mRNA), which can be utilized to fight various diseases by forcing the immune system to generate a stronger response. Since mRNA vaccines can be made quickly, researchers believe it would be easy to create a custom vaccine for each pathogen. These vaccines can prove vital in stopping the spread of viruses like Zika.

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One Gene Provides Hope Against Neurodegenerative Diseases

A recent study performed at the University of Glasgow reveals that the gene known as UBQLN2 has the ability to remove protein clumps that cause neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's. While it is normal for protein clumps to be formed as we age, the body has a mechanism to detangle and destroy these clumps before they cause harm. The results from the study show that when UBQLN2 is unable to function properly as a result of mutations, it leads to neurodegenerative diseases.

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Your Nose Can Kill MRSA

German scientists have discovered a new antibiotic against the potentially deadly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The Staphylococcus aureus bacterium resides in the noses of 1 in 3 people without being harmful. In some rare cases, the bacterium escapes into the blood stream where it causes a serious infection. MRSA is an antibiotic resistant strain of S. aureus that kills about 11,000 people every year in the US alone. After examining the noses of 187 hospital patients, the scientists isolated a new antibiotic called lugdunin from the bacterium Staphylococcus lugdunensis. They discovered that if S. lugdunensis were present in a person’s nose, S. aureus was six times less likely to be present. In the future, the researchers envisage the development of a lugdunin nasal spray to rid people's noses of S. aureus.

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English Bulldogs at Risk for Poor Health if not Crossbred

After studying 102 English bulldogs from the US and Europe, scientists found a loss of diversity in their immune-related genes. Since English Bulldogs are susceptible to health issues such as breathing problems, researchers are resorting to crossbreeding to improve their health. The low genetic diversity in English Bulldogs means that researchers do not have much room to make genetic changes to the breed.

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Discovery of the Last Common Ancestor of all Species

In a recent study published in Nature Microbiology, scientists report the traits of the last common ancestor of all species using a reconstructed genome. The researchers examined available genomic data of all current living creatures on Earth and found that the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) was autotrophic, consumed metallic elements like iron, and lived in a hot environment with no oxygen. This brings us one step closer to understanding the existence of LUCA.

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Reverse Cell Aging with the "Fountain of Youth" Molecule

Telomerase, an enzyme that is found in humans, has long been dubbed the "cellular elixir of youth" because of its anti-aging properties. A study conducted by Brazilian researchers and the National Institute of Health (NIH) shows that sex hormones can stimulate telomerase production. This discovery can be used to develop therapies against diseases resulting from telomerase deficiency. The application of male hormones minimized telomerase deficiency in patients with aplastic anemia and pulmonary fibrosis.

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A DNA Hard Drive

Researchers at Microsoft and the University of Washington have set a new record for DNA storage by successfully storing 200 megabytes of data on DNA strands. The demand for more data storage in industries with large databases such as hospitals, genome centers, and call centers continues to grow. Nevertheless, researchers remain confident that the combination of computer science and biotech will one day lead to the use of DNA as a viable form of data storage.

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Genetic Predictor Measures Projected Academic Success

Scientists at King's College in London have found that differences in DNA can be used to predict a student's academic success. The scientists claimed that using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) has enabled them to explain about 10% of the differences in academic achievements in young students. SNPs take into account around 20,000 genetic factors that all play a role in these differences.

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Oldest Plant Genome Successfully Sequenced by Researchers

For the first time, researchers have been able to successfully sequence the genome of Chalcolithic barley grains. This represents the oldest plant genome to be reassembled. The seeds, which date back 6,000 years, were found in Israel's Yoram Cave. This information will prove useful in understanding the domestication of barley.

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Same Genes Make Us Vulnerable to Happiness and Depression

Researchers at Oxford University recently discovered that some genes can make individuals more susceptible to happiness and depression. Their study concluded that certain genes make us more vulnerable to our surroundings. As a result, the genes that are linked to the development of depression in one individual can cause happiness for another person. This information can prove critical in understanding how mental disorders develop.

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A Reference Qatari Genome for the Middle East

Geneticists from Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar and New York have published a reference genome that is specific to Arab populations. Initially, the researchers were surprised by the unusually high number of variants present when they started sequencing the first 100 Qatari genomes. Further analysis of the genomes of the Qatari Bedouins showed that the presence of indigenous Arabs in the Arabian peninsula represents one of the oldest populations outside of Africa. This study would spur research into genetic diseases and the application of personalized medicine in the middle east.

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Shorter Tumor DNA is Easier to Locate in Liquid Biopsies

Researchers at the universities of Utah and Washington have discovered that the size of circulating cancer DNA differs from that of normal DNA. In their study, they found that tumor DNA was shorter than normal DNA. This distinction would make it easier to find tumor DNA during liquid biopsies.

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A New Cause of the Deadly Coats Plus Syndrome

Israeli researchers have determined a new cause of Coats plus syndrome. Their study concluded that mutations in the STN1 gene are responsible for Coats plus syndrome. The STN1 gene is known for being instrumental in maintaining the ends of chromosomes. Without the gene, chromosomes fuse together resulting in the inability of cells to divide.

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Viruses Heavily Influence Human Evolution

A study conducted at Stanford University utilized big-data analysis to uncover the full potential of viruses to influence evolution in mammals. Until now, scientists lacked the tools to examine how viruses have spread their influence among different species and genomes. According to the study, 30% of protein adaptations that have occurred since the separation of human and ape lineages are linked to viruses. This reveals that viruses play a strong role in human evolution.

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"Maleness" Gene Could Reduce the Spread of Malaria

Researchers have identified the gene for maleness in the malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae. The gene called Yob is deadly when expressed in female embryos. This discovery will prove useful in using genetic engineering to increase the ratio of male to female mosquitos. Since male mosquitos cannot carry malaria, this approach will enhance the fight to reduce the spread of malaria.

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References:E. Krzywinska et al., “A maleness gene in the malaria,” Science, doi.10.1126/science.aaf5605, 2016.

Red Hair-Linked Gene Variants Also Associated With Increased Skin Cancer Mutations

According to a study conducted at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the gene responsible for red hair also causes an increased somatic mutation load in melanoma. While it has been known that people with red hair are at an increased risk of cancer, this is the first study to link the MC1R allele to skin cancers involving many mutations. Researchers from the Sanger Institute report finding a higher number of SNVs in melanoma patients with the R allele.

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Cancer-fighting Gene Immunotherapy Shows Promise as Treatment for HIV

The Journal of Virology has just published a study conducted by the UCLA AIDS Institute and Center for AIDS Research, about the application of immunotherapy for fighting HIV. The data showed that protein antibodies have the ability to create chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), which have the ability to kill HIV-1 cells. These receptors normally work by destroying cells that have tumor proteins or viruses, but the study concludes they are also effective against HIV.

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Turn on a “Genetic Switch” and Erase Unpleasant Memories!

It is well-established that some memories can be erased by certain traumatic events, accidents, and dementia. The latest contributor to memory loss is a gene called neuroplastin. Researchers have now shown that some memories can also be erased when a modified neuroplastin gene is switched off in mice. Switching off neuroplastin may interfere with communication between mice brain cells.

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Kataegis is a Positive Marker in Breast Cancer

Kataegis refers to the clustering of multiple mutations in a few “hotspots” within a genome. The cause of kataegis is yet to be determined but is known to occur in about 55% of all breast cancer cases. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego's School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center analyzed whole-genome sequencing data to determine the functional importance of kataegis at the molecular level.

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Discovery of Neuronal Subtypes with RNA-seq

In an article published in Science, a team of researchers from the University of California at San Diego, the Scripps Research Institute, and Illumina performed RNA-seq on samples from a postmortem brain tissue, and discovered several neuronal subtypes. Until now, the collection of fresh brain tissue during neurosurgery has been the main source of samples for single-neuron transcriptomic studies. This study shows that doing single-neuron transcriptomic studies is feasible with human postmortem brain tissue.

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Changes in Gut Microbiomes Cause Obesity

Our intestines are home to trillions of microbes. While obesity has long been linked to changes in these gut microbes, the actual mechanism has been a bit of a mystery until now. Researchers from Yale University had observed that rodents on a high-fat diet produced higher levels of acetate. They went on to show that acetate stimulates the production of the hormones gastrin and ghrelin, which in turn leads to an increased appetite for food among the rodents. When the researchers transferred fecal matter from one group of rodents to another, they noticed changes in the gut microbiomes of the recipients that led to increased acetate production and higher food intake.

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A STITCH for Low-coverage Sequence Data

A bioinformatics software program for conducting genome-wide association studies has been launched by a team of researchers from the University of Oxford, the Wellcome Trust Center for Human Genetics, and the University of California, Los Angeles. Sequencing to Imputation Through Constructing Haplotypes (STITCH) has been used to analyze genome sequence data from more than 2,000 mice and 11,000 Han Chinese individuals. With STITCH, low-coverage sequence data can be mined for biological insights.

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References: Link to the reference 1 | Link to the reference 2

Genetic Trigger Linked to Systemic Autoimmune Disease

Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) researchers report that systemic autoimmune disease may be connected to a genetic trigger. Their study focused on the human genome and found elements within it that could potentially be the cause of lupus and Sjogren's syndrome. The HSS researchers used kidney biopsy samples and salivary gland tissue for their investigations.

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There’s Life After Death After all; but Only in Your Genes!

Microbiologist Peter Noble and his colleagues evaluated over 1000 genes to discover that an organism’s genes remain alive days after its death. Studying this postmortem activity could pave the way for improved methods for organ preservation and transplantation. These results can also provide more accurate ways for determining the time of death of murder victims.

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Use of Next-Generation Sequencing to Detect Genetic Signatures in Breast Cancer

A study from the Medical University of South Carolina shows that studying the genetic autograph of breast cancer cells can reveal their sensitivity to various drug treatments. This allows individualized medicinal therapy to be designed for each patient to combat the oncogenes that cause the cancer to spread.

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Mutations Linked to Bipolar Disorder Unearthed with Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)

Did you know that next-generation sequencing can be used to pinpoint gene mutations that cause bipolar disorder? Researchers at John Hopkins University utilized this method to detect 84 rare gene mutations associated with intense forms of the illness. This study provides a deeper understanding of the biology that determines one’s susceptibility to bipolar disorder.

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The Olive Tree Genome Project

Did you know that olive trees can live between 3,000 and 4,000 years? In an effort to understand both the longevity and evolutionary history of the almost 1,000 varieties around today, a team of researchers from Spain used whole-genome and RNA sequencing to decipher these unique traits of the olive tree.

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Teasing Out Genomic Evolutionary Mechanisms with CRISPR

Scientists at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have shown that the existence of multiple single-strand breaks (SSBs) in an organism’s DNA tends to modify its genome. Using the CRISPR system to study the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, the KIT scientists discovered molecular evolutionary mechanisms involved in plant genome modifications.

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New imaging method reveals nanoscale details about DNA

A new method for DNA imaging has been developed by researchers in order to examine individual DNA strands. When observing DNA at the nanoscale, this technique will allow scientists to determine some of the causes of DNA damage and their effects on gene expression. This kind of insight is beneficial to our understanding of certain diseases and the development of effective therapies.

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France invests in genome sequencing

France has joined the personalized medicine revolution with an investment of almost $800M to set up 12 new genome sequencing centers all over the country. The genomics data from these centers will accelerate worldwide efforts to find cures for cancer, diabetes, and other rare diseases.

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That craving for salt could be in your genes!

Despite warnings from doctors that the pinch of extra salt you are about to add to your food can’t be good for your health, some of us can’t just resist the urge. Once again, genetics seems to have the answer to this paradox. Research studies in mice show that the removal of a particular gene caused the mice to develop a strong appetite for salt. In humans, this gene is linked to high blood pressure.

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How did the giraffe get its long neck?

In an article published in Nature Communications, a team of researchers from Tanzania, Kenya, the US, and the UK sequenced the genomes of two Masai giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi), and one okapi, (Okapia johnstoni), in order to explain some of the unique features of the giraffe. “The team collected DNA samples from two female Masai giraffes and one fetal male okapi and constructed pair-ended libraries with the Illumina TruSeq DNA PCR-Free library preparation kit. They sequenced the samples on an Illumina HiSeq platform, and aligned initial sequence reads to 19,030 cattle reference transcripts in order to predict homologous genes. This approach yielded 17,210 giraffe genes and 17,048 okapi genes.” Apart from identifying 70 genes that displayed multiple signs of adaptation (MSA), the researchers also identified genes in the HOX, NOTCH, and FGF signaling pathways, which specifically regulates both skeletal and cardiovascular development in the giraffe and Okapi.

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Reference: Agaba M, Ishengoma E, Miller WC, McGrath BC, Hudson CN, Bedoya Reina OC, et al. Giraffe genome sequence reveals clues to its unique morphology and physiology. Nat Commun. 2016; 7, 11519. doi:10.1038/ncomms11519>

Genome sequencing reveals unconventional Ebola transmission routes

Although the scourge of Ebola is no longer griping the news headlines, there are ongoing sporadic infections in some of the countries that were affected. After sequencing 554 samples of Ebola cases diagnosed in Sierra Leone between December 2014 and September 2015, an international team of researchers have shown that the Ebola virus can also be spread through semen and breast milk. The researchers concluded that it is important to do genome sequencing in the countries that were affected by the Ebola because the coast may not be clear as far as disease transmission is concerned.

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Location of the first "happiness genes"

Are you happy all the time? Well, you have good genes! Researchers have identified three genetic variants in the human genome that could explain the differences in how we experience happiness.

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Reference: Cesarini D. et al., Genetic variants associated with subjective well-being, depressive symptoms, and neuroticism identified through genome-wide analyses. Nature Genetics, 2016; DOI: 10.1038/ng.3552

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Tests Metagenomic Sequencing to ID Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections

In yet another demonstration of the power of metagenomic sequencing, researchers at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital have developed a metagenomic sequencing protocol for the investigation of fecal samples. The applied this novel protocol to detect bacteria resistant to multiple drugs, in order to prevent the spread of infection with such bugs.

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Reference: Andersen H et al., Use of Shotgun Metagenome Sequencing to Detect Fecal Colonization with Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria in Children. J Clin Microbiol. 2016 Apr 27. pii: JCM.02638-15.

Ancient DNA comes in from the cold to explain popular turnover and migration in prehistoric Europe

An international team of researchers has used genome sequencing to analyze samples from 51 ancient humans. Some of the samples date back as far as 45,000 years ago, according to an article published in the journal Nature. The results suggest that a unique population of humans settled in Europe about 37,000 years ago. Some 14,000 years later, another founder population from the Near East took advantage of a warm spell and migrated to Europe. These results showing that prehistoric Europe experienced episodes of population turnover and migration echoes some familiar themes of the today.

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Reference: Qiaomei F, et al., The genetic history of Ice Age Europe. Nature, (2016); doi:10.1038/nature17993.

Discovery of new genes and mutations that drive the progression of breast cancer using whole-genome sequencing

Two important studies published in the journals Nature and Nature Communications describe the most comprehensive analysis of breast cancer genomes and provide insights into the mechanisms driving the progression of breast cancer and the genes responsible for its genesis. The researchers performed a comparative whole-genome sequencing of 560 tumor and normal breast cancer tissues and discovered 93-driver genes as well as signatory mutations associated with deficient DNA repair and the functions of BRCA1 and BRCA2.

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References:

1. Nik-Zainal S et al., Landscape of somatic mutations in 560 breast cancer whole-genome sequences. Nature, (2016); doi:10.1038/nature17676

2. Morganella S et al., The topography of mutational processes in breast cancer genomes. Nature Communications, (2016); 7 (11383) doi:10.1038/ncomms11383.

Precision CRISPR!

The advent of the CRISPR interference technique has ushered a new era of excitement and discovery in the burgeoning field of synthetic biology. The use of CRISPR to achieve specific changes in the germline of humans, animals, and other organisms, and also modify the genes of food crops has enormous implications for medicine and agriculture. Just when you thought CRISPR couldn’t get any better, news from the CRISPR Precision Gene Editing Congress, shows that researchers from several companies are developing a more precise CRISPR by improving specificity, efficiency, and delivery.

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