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.
Cause of 1990s Argentina cholera epidemic uncovered
The evolution of epidemic and endemic strains of the cholera-causing bacterium Vibrio cholerae in Argentina has been mapped in detail by researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the University of Cambridge and the INEI-ANLIS “Dr Carlos G. Malbrán”, Argentina.
Highly detailed map of heart could guide personalised heart treatments
Scientists have created a cellular and molecular map of the healthy human heart, to understand how this vital organ functions, and to shed light on what goes wrong in cardiovascular disease.
Key genetic clue missing in superbug fight
For the first time, researchers have discovered how antibiotic resistance genes are spreading, at a continental scale, via bacterial plasmids in the hospital superbug, Klebsiella pneumoniae.
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.