Placenta is a dumping ground for genetic defects
In the first study of the genomic architecture of the human placenta, scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Cambridge and their collaborators have confirmed that the normal structure of the placenta is different to any other human organ and resembles that of a tumour, harbouring many of the same genetic mutations found in childhood cancers.
Full evolutionary journey of hospital superbug mapped for the first time
Modern hospitals and antibiotic treatment alone did not create all the antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria we see today. Instead, selection pressures from before widespread use of antibiotics influenced some of them to develop, new research has discovered.
Students invited to create a card game inspired by the Human Cell Atlas
School students aged 11-14 across the UK are invited to develop an idea for a brand new card game, inspired by research into the human body. The winning idea will be developed into a real game which will be sent to all participating schools across the UK.
Virtual event celebrates Equality and Diversity Champions from the Wellcome Genome Campus
The Wellcome Genome Campus celebrates International Women’s Day today (8 March 2021) with its annual awards for Best Practice for Supporting Equality and Diversity in Science.
New search engine for single cell atlases
A new software tool allows researchers to quickly query datasets generated from single-cell sequencing. Users can identify which cell types any combination of genes are active in.
Genomics study identifies routes of transmission of coronavirus in care homes
Genomic surveillance – using information about genetic differences between virus samples – can help identify how the SARS-CoV-2 spreads in care home settings, whose residents are at particular risk, according to new research just published.
First-of-its-kind course launched to help GPs understand genomics in everyday practice
Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences (ACSC), in partnership with Health Education England and FutureLearn, have created a unique CPD-approved training course to help all healthcare professionals within Primary Care understand the world of genomics and how it can be used to help their patients.
Open data on malaria genomes will help combat drug resistance
Genome variation data on more than 7,000 malaria parasites from 28 endemic countries has been released in Wellcome Open Research. It has been produced by MalariaGEN, a data-sharing network of groups around the world who are working together to build high-quality data resources for malaria research and disease control.
Gene that helps control egg’s journey sheds light on why ectopic pregnancy may occur
Ectopic pregnancy is one of the most common prenatal complications, yet the cause of the condition remains unknown. Now researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have pinpointed a gene in mice that plays a key role in the egg’s journey from the ovary to the uterus. When the gene Adgrd1 was deleted, female mice became infertile because the eggs remained stuck in the fallopian tubes.
Lab-grown ‘mini-bile ducts’ used to repair human livers in regenerative medicine first
Scientists have used a technique to grow bile duct organoids – often referred to as ‘mini-organs’ – in the lab and shown that these can be used to repair damaged human livers. This is the first time that the technique has been used on human organs.
Scientists identify over 140,000 virus species in the human gut
Viruses are the most numerous biological entities on the planet. Now researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) have identified over 140,000 viral species living in the human gut, more than half of which have never been seen before.
New COVID-19 saliva testing strategy could translate into easy-to-use home device
A new two-stage saliva testing strategy for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection that is simpler and easier to use than nasal swab tests has been developed by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and their collaborators.
New drug targets for childhood cancer neuroblastoma identified
The largest single cell study to date of the childhood cancer, neuroblastoma, has answered important questions about the genesis of the disease.
Sanger Institute joins Wellcome Leap Global Network dedicated to accelerated breakthroughs in human health
The Wellcome Sanger Institute has joined the Leap Health Breakthrough Network, a global group of leading academic and research institutions committed to solving the world’s most serious health challenges — such as cancer and infectious diseases — at record speed. Wellcome Leap is a US non-profit organisation founded by Wellcome to accelerate innovations that benefit global health.
Developmental origins of eczema and psoriasis discovered
Scientists have created a highly detailed map of skin, which reveals that cellular processes from development are re-activated in cells from patients with inflammatory skin disease.
Cell atlas of tropical disease parasite may hold key to new treatments
The first cell atlas of an important life stage of Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm that poses a risk to hundreds of millions of people each year, has been developed by researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and their collaborators.
Ten artists to create artworks for global research project mapping the human body
The Human Cell Atlas (HCA) global initiative to map every cell type in the body, has launched its One Cell at a Time arts and community project taking place in cities across England.
COG-UK computing effort wins collaboration award for COVID-19 work
HPCwire award recognises consortium's sequencing of tens of thousands of viral genomes.
Wellcome Sanger Institute and COG-UK receive £12.2M UK Government investment for COVID-19 real-time genomic surveillance system
The Department for Health and Social Care Testing Innovation Fund has backed the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium in expanding whole genome sequencing of positive SARS-CoV-2 virus samples to map how COVID-19 spreads and evolves. The £12.2M funding will facilitate the Sanger Institute’s contribution to building a national real-time genomic surveillance…
Uncovering the origin of rare childhood cancer guides treatment
New research shows that bilateral neuroblastoma cancers within a patient can arise independently from each other. The finding that such tumours have not spread – metastasised – from one site to another has important implications for understanding the roots of neuroblastoma and may promote better treatments.
Applications for the Sanger Prize are now open
Applications are now open for the Sanger Institute Prize 2021, which awards the winner a three-month internship with a research group at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Travel, living and research expenses are all covered by the award.
Study linking 28 genes to developmental disorders will mean diagnoses for around 500 families
Research into the causes of developmental disorders has identified 285 genes linked to these conditions, including 28 newly-associated genes.
Novel map reveals how immune cells fight and remember infections
Researchers have charted the activity of tens of thousands of genes in mouse immune cells over the course of an infection.
Drug resistant neglected tropical disease tracked by genomic surveillance
Genome sequencing has shed light on the re-emergence of the bacterium that causes yaws, a neglected tropical disease of the skin, bones and joints. The re-emergence followed a mass drug administration (MDA) campaign that aimed to eliminate the disease in Papua New Guinea.
DNA changes in healthy bladder provide clues on how cancer arises
The first comprehensive study of DNA changes in healthy and diseased human bladder tissue has revealed that ‘cancer-driving’ mutations are common in healthy bladder tissue. The study, conducted by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Cambridge and their collaborators, provides an unprecedented view of the first steps towards bladder cancer.