More than 100 new gut bacteria discovered in human microbiome
Scientists working on the gut microbiome* have discovered and isolated more than 100 completely new species of bacteria from healthy people’s intestines.
Genetic testing gives answers on developmental disorders during pregnancy
Genetic testing improves the diagnoses of abnormalities in developing babies that are picked up during ultrasound scans, scientists report in The Lancet.
Immune master regulator orchestrates responses to parasite infection
A new study has identified the master regulator that maintains a healthy gut and limits damage by parasitic whipworms. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and collaborators have revealed that the interleukin 10 receptor (IL-10R) is critical to prevent uncontrolled whipworm infection in mice and a damaging immune response in the gut.
Scientists take huge step forward in decoding genomes of small species
For the first time, scientists have read the whole genetic code of one single tiny mosquito.
Genetic study reveals possible new routes to treating osteoarthritis
In the largest genetic study of osteoarthritis to date, scientists have uncovered 52 new genetic changes linked to the disease, which doubles the number of genetic regions associated with the disabling condition.
CRISPR study reveals new immune system regulators
Scientists have created the first retroviral CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing library to explore the regulation of mouse T cells, which are key cells in the immune system. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and their collaborators have mapped the most important genes for controlling T helper cells, and identified several new potential regulatory genes.
Mystery of Yemen cholera epidemic solved
The most likely source of the cholera epidemic in Yemen has been discovered by scientists. Through the use of genomic sequencing, scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Institut Pasteur estimate the strain of cholera causing the current outbreak in Yemen – the worst cholera outbreak in recorded history – came from Eastern Africa and entered Yemen with the migration of people in and out…
Bird migration and conservation clues in robin and turtle dove genomes
The European robin and Turtle dove have had their genetic codes sequenced and assembled for the first time by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and their collaborators.
From eye drops to potential leukaemia treatment
An active ingredient in eye drops that were being developed for the treatment of a form of eye disease has shown promise for treating an aggressive form of blood cancer. Scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge, University of Nottingham and their collaborators have found that this compound, which targets an essential cancer gene, could kill leukaemia cells without…
New strains of hepatitis C found in Africa
The largest population study of hepatitis C in Africa has found three new strains of the virus circulating in the general population in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sanger’s cloud computing wins award
High performance computing community recognises pioneering work of Sanger’s scientific IT teams.
Largest study of CRISPR-Cas9 mutations creates prediction tool for gene editing
The largest study of CRISPR action to date has developed a method to predict the exact mutations CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing can introduce to a cell.
Human cell atlas study reveals how the maternal immune system is modified early in pregnancy
Cell map of healthy pregnancy could also help understand miscarriages or preeclampsia
Largest parasitic worm genetic study hatches novel treatment possibilities
The largest genomic study of parasitic worms to date has identified hundreds of thousands of new genes and predicted many new potential drug targets and drugs.
Genetic code of 66,000 UK species to be sequenced
The genetic codes of 66,000 species in the UK are planned to be sequenced by the Wellcome Sanger Institute and its collaborators as part of a global effort to sequence the genomes of all 1.5 million known species of animals, plants, protozoa and fungi on Earth.
Study reveals how gene activity shapes immunity across species
By sequencing genes from over a quarter of a million cells across six mammalian species, researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute and collaborators, have shown how genes in the immune response have varied activity between cells and species.
Largest census of cancer genes will help scientists understand causes and find drug targets
Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have created the first comprehensive summary of all genes known to be involved in human cancer, the “Cancer Gene Census”.
Mutant cells colonise our tissues over our lifetime
By the time we reach middle age, more than half of the oesophagus in healthy people has been taken over by cells carrying mutations in cancer genes, scientists have uncovered. By studying normal oesophagus tissue, scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge and their collaborators uncovered a hidden world of mutations and evolution in our tissues as we…
Genetics allows personalised disease predictions for chronic blood cancers
Scientists have developed a successful method to make truly personalised predictions of future disease outcomes for patients with certain types of chronic blood cancers.
Newly sequenced mouse genomes unearth unknown genes
Scientists at EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) and the Wellcome Sanger Institute have discovered significant diversity in the genomes of 16 laboratory strains of mouse, potentially impacting future research in genetics, drug development and beyond.
25 UK species' genomes sequenced for first time
The genomes of 25 UK species* have been read for the first time by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and their collaborators**.
Journey to precision cancer treatment takes off with new passports tool
Cancer research and the future of precision cancer treatment will be accelerated by a new tool developed by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. The novel tool, called Cell Model Passports, acts as a central hub for the rapidly expanding number of cancer models, which are critically needed for cancer research.
Rare genetic disorders more complex than thought
Researchers have found that the genetic causes of rare neurodevelopmental disorders vary more than previously thought. The study from Wellcome Sanger Institute scientists and their collaborators discovered that serious rare disorders can be affected by combinations of common genetic variants, rather than solely individual rare variants that damage single genes.
Wellcome Sanger Institute at 25: how the genomic revolution is changing medicine
This October, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, one of the world’s leading centres of genomic research, celebrates 25 years of research and discovery through genome sequencing. In the same week, the NHS will become the first health service in the world to routinely offer genomic medicine as part of patient care.
Family tree of blood production reveals hundreds of thousands of stem cells
Adult humans have many more blood-creating stem cells in their bone marrow than previously thought, ranging between 50,000 and 200,000 stem cells. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Wellcome – MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute developed a new approach for studying stem cells, based on methods used in ecology.