Ambitious genomics project to understand how aquatic species thrive together
The genetic codes of 1,000 aquatic species – representing 500 symbiotic partnerships – will be sequenced by the Wellcome Sanger Institute and its collaborators, in a mission to understand how these organisms have changed to depend on each other for survival.
Key discovery in psoriatic arthritis points way for developing targeted treatments
A new study has revealed psoriatic arthritis may be activated by the same trigger in different patients. Researchers from the University of Oxford and the Wellcome Sanger Institute identified high levels of a specific receptor in immune cells from psoriatic arthritis patients, giving the strongest evidence yet of a single cause for the disease.
Future of genomic research at risk without greater public trust in how genetic data is shared
The largest ever survey on global public attitudes towards genomic research and data sharing suggests that work is needed to raise levels of public trust in how genetic data is used in order for that data to fulfil its promise to advance human health and medicine.
Genetic information can predict predisposition to rare and common blood diseases
Two large-scale genetic studies have identified the bulk of genetic variation that influences medically-important characteristics of our blood cells.
Mosquito immune system mapped to help fight malaria
Scientists have created the first cell atlas of mosquito immune cells, to understand how mosquitoes fight malaria and other infections. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Umeå University, Sweden and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, discovered new types of mosquito immune cells, including a rare cell type that could be involved in limiting malaria infection. They also…
Genomics biotech pioneer, Global Gene Corp wins $1m "Star Trek" Roddenberry Prize
The Roddenberry Foundation today announced the winners of its $1 million biennial prize—designed to advance the vision of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry—to four organizations working to better humanity amidst the challenges of the global pandemic.
New podcast provides digital mentoring tips for early career researchers
A new podcast has been launched to bring digital mentoring and career development advice to early career researchers in the life sciences. The ‘Your Digital Mentor’ podcast aims to kickstart the conversation around mentoring and other aspects of research culture, with a special focus on low and middle-income countries (LMIC).
New drug targets for lethal brain cancer discovered
Researchers have engineered a new mouse model for studying glioblastoma, the most aggressive type of brain cancer.
Steroids help tumours suppress immune system, offering new immunotherapy targets
A study has revealed that tumours can evade the immune system by telling immune cells to produce immunosuppressive steroids. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, and MRC Cancer Unit, discovered that immune T cells from mouse skin and breast tumours secrete steroids, and that preventing this steroid production reduced growth of tumours…
Free online public talks celebrate 20th anniversary of the Human Genome Project
The Wellcome Genome Campus is launching a series of free monthly ‘Genome Lates’, on-line public talks to celebrate 20 years since the landmark first draft of the complete human genome was produced.
Explore Covid-19 science in action with new Human Cell Atlas animation
A new animation has been created for secondary school students to explore how the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 works, and how the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) consortium is mapping how the virus interacts with the human body.
Launch of virtual Sanger seminar series
The Wellcome Sanger Institute is pleased to launch a new series of virtual seminars, showcasing the diversity of genomic research at the Institute aimed at tackling some of the biggest challenges in human health and disease. From mapping all cell types in the human body, to understanding the evolution of cancer and life on Earth, senior scientists and faculty at the Sanger Institute will present…
Drug screens and CRISPR combine to help make better cancer drugs
Improved understanding of the biological mechanisms underpinning drug response will enable faster, more efficient drug development.
Update to DECIPHER brings power to clinical genomics
Update to rare disease database allows researchers and clinicians to input, interpret and share all types of genomic variants in all regions of the genome.
Keen to return to a scientific career? Applications are open for the Janet Thornton Fellowship
Have you had a career break from science, and would like to return? The Wellcome Sanger Institute has created a postdoctoral fellowship specifically for people who have been out of scientific research for 12 months or more.
Sanger researcher wins prize from European Society for Human Genetics
Dr Gosia Trynka, Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, has been awarded the 2020 Leena Peltonen prize by the European Society for Human Genetics (ESHG). This prize is given every two years to an outstanding young researcher in the field of human genetics.
4,000 years of contact, conflict and cultural change had little genetic impact on Near East
The Near East was a crossroad for the ancient world’s greatest civilizations, and invasions over centuries caused enormous changes in cultures, religions and languages. However, a new study of the DNA of ancient skeletons spanning 4,000 years has revealed that most of these changes had no lasting effect on the genetics of the local population of Beirut.
Analysis of COVID-19 Genomes reveals large numbers of introductions to the UK in March
Data reports published by the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) show the value in mapping COVID-19 lineages across the UK to understand how the virus is spreading at national, regional and local levels.
Potentially cancerous cells kept in check by competitive neighbours, study of oesophagus finds
The expansion of ‘mutant’ cells that could lead to cancer is often kept in check by their neighbours, research from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Cambridge and their collaborators has found. The team discovered that when equally-matched cells in the oesophagus of mice coincided, they acted as a brake on one another’s growth.
Key nose cells identified as likely COVID-19 entry points
Study with Human Cell Atlas could help understand transmission of the virus.
Normal human uterus is colonised by clones with cancer-driving mutations that arise early in life, study finds
Many cells in the inner lining of the uterus carry ‘cancer-driving’ mutations that frequently arise early in life, report scientists from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Cambridge and their collaborators. The research team conducted whole-genome sequencing of healthy human endometrium, providing a comprehensive overview of the rates and patterns of DNA changes in this tissue…
Experience matters for immune cells - discovery of T cells response spectrum could help understand immune diseases
The discovery that immune T cells have a spectrum of responsiveness could shed light on how our immune system responds to infections and cancer, and what goes wrong in immune diseases. Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Open Targets, Biogen, GSK and their collaborators found that T cells responded very differently to immune signals the more 'training' they had been exposed to, rather…
UK launches whole genome sequence alliance to map spread of coronavirus
The Wellcome Sanger Institute will collaborate with expert groups across the country to analyse the genetic code of COVID-19 samples circulating in the UK, providing public health agencies with a unique tool to combat the virus.
New research on brain structure highlights cells linked to Alzheimer's and autism
New insights into the architecture of the brain have been revealed by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and their collaborators. The researchers discovered that cells in the cerebral cortex of mice, called astrocytes, are more diverse than previously thought, with distinct layers of astrocytes across the cerebral cortex that provide the…
Origins of immune system mapped, opening doors for new cancer immunotherapies
A first cell atlas of the human thymus gland could lead to new immune therapies to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Newcastle University and Ghent University, Belgium, mapped thymus tissue through the human lifespan to understand how it develops and makes vital immune cells called T cells. In the future, this information could help researchers…