3333 results for "*geneti*"

in 74.21 milliseconds.

• Genetic immune escape landscape in primary and metastatic cancer

  Immune surveillance escape is a hallmark of tumorigenesis1. Multiple studies have characterized the immune escape landscape across several untreated early-stage primary cancer types2–4. However, whether late-stage treated metastatic tumors present differences in genetic immune escape (GIE) prevalence and dynamics remains unclear. Here, we performed a pan-cancer characterization of GIE prevalence across six immune escape pathways in 6,457 uniformly processed Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) tumor samples including 58 cancer types from 1,943 primary untreated patients and 4,514 metastatic patients. To effectively address the complexity of the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA-I) locus and to characterize its tumor status, we developed LILAC, an open-source integrative framework. We demonstrate that one in four tumors harbor GIE alterations, with high mechanistic and frequency variability across cancer types. GIE prevalence is highly consistent between primary and metastatic tumors for most cancer types with few exceptions such as prostate and thyroid carcinomas that have increased immune evasion frequencies in metastatic tumors. Positive selection analysis revealed that GIE alterations are frequently selected for in tumor evolution and that focal LOH of HLA-I, unlike non-focal LOH of HLA-I, tends to lose the HLA allele that presents the largest neoepitope repertoire. We also unraveled tumor genomic features contributing to immune escape incidence, including DNA repair deficiency, APOBEC activity, tobacco associated mutation load and viral DNA integration. Finally, there is a strong tendency for mid and high tumor mutation burden (TMB) tumors to preferentially select LOH of HLA-I for GIE whereas hypermutated samples favor global immune evasion strategies. Our results indicate that genetic immune escape is generally a pre-metastatic event during tumor evolution and that tumors adapt different strategies depending on their neoepitope burden.

  Study EGAS00001006123

• Whole-genome Sequencing Suggests Mechanisms for 22q11.2 deletion-associated Parkinson’s disease

  Objectives: To investigate disease risk mechanisms of early-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD) associated with the recurrent 22q11.2 deletion, a genetic risk factor for early-onset PD. Methods: In a proof-of-principle study, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to investigate sequence variants in nine adults with 22q11.2DS, three with neuropathologically confirmed early-onset PD and six without PD. Adopting an approach used recently to study schizophrenia in 22q11.2DS, here we tested candidate gene-sets relevant to PD. Results: No mutations common to the cases with PD were found in the intact 22q11.2 region. While all were negative for rare mutations in a gene-set comprising PD disease-causing and risk genes, another candidate gene-set of 1000 genes functionally relevant to PD presented a nominally significant (P=0.03) enrichment of rare putatively damaging missense variants in the PD cases. Polygenic score results, based on common variants associated with PD risk, were non-significantly greater in those with PD. Conclusions: The results of this first-ever pilot study of WGS in PD suggest that the cumulative burden of genome-wide sequence variants may contribute to expression of early-onset PD in the presence of threshold-lowering dosage effects of a 22q11.2 deletion. We found no evidence that expression of PD in 22q11.2DS is mediated by a recessive locus on the intact 22q11.2 chromosome or mutations in known PD genes. These findings offer initial evidence of the potential effects of multiple within-individual rare variants on the expression of PD and the utility of next generation sequencing for studying the etiology of PD.

  Study EGAS00001002275

• In this study, we performed exon sequencing (WXS) of 80 paired Brain cancer tumors and adjacent normal tissues to identify novel potential biomarkers. We extracted mutational signatures which induce somatic mutations . Our study covers a comprehensive genetic framework that can be used in clinical trials and treatment modalities in Brain cancer.

  In this study, we performed exon sequencing (WXS) of 80 paired Brain cancer tumors and adjacent normal tissues to identify novel potential biomarkers. We extracted mutational signatures which induce somatic mutations . Our study covers a comprehensive genetic framework that can be used in clinical trials and treatment modalities in Brain cancer.

  Study EGAS00001002352

• Pediatric Whole Genome Sequencing Diagnostic Utility

  The standard of care for first-tier clinical investigation of the etiology of congenital malformations and neurodevelopmental disorders is chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) for copy number variations (CNVs), often followed by gene(s)-specific sequencing searching for smaller insertion-deletions (indels) and single nucleotide variant (SNV) mutations. We compared diagnostic rate of WGS to CMA and targeted gene testing of 100 patients referred to The Hospital for Sick Children Genetics clinic in 2014. WGS identified genetic variants meeting clinical diagnostic criteria in 34% of cases, representing a 4-fold increase in diagnostic rate over CMA (8%) (p-value = 1.42e-05) alone and >2-fold increase in CMA plus targeted gene sequencing (13%) (p-value = 0.0009). WGS identified all rare clinically significant CNVs that were detected by CMA. In an additional 26 patients, WGS revealed indel and missense mutations presenting in a dominant (63%) or a recessive (37%) manner. We found four subjects with mutations in at least two genes associated with distinct genetic disorders, including two cases harboring a pathogenic CNV and SNV. When considering medically actionable secondary findings in addition to primary WGS findings, 38% of patients would benefit from genetic counselling.

  Study EGAS00001001623

• Epigenetic profiling of human CD4+ memory T cells reveals their proliferative history and argues in favor of a progressive differentiation model driven by epigenetically controlled master regulators.

  A key element of adaptive immunity is the development of long-lived memory cells, which protect against recurring infection by providing a highly enriched pool of antigen-specific cells ready to react to the pathogen. Different classes of memory T cells occur upon primary activation of naive T cells, however, their detailed differentiation pathway is not entirely clear. As part of the IHEC consortium, we generated genome-wide epigenetic maps of a number of CD4+ T cell memory (Tmem) stages including rare subsets such as terminally differentiated (TEMRA) and bone marrow-resident Tmem. We found that CD4+ T cells show progressive global DNA demethylation with differentiation into memory stages, which reflects their proliferative history and likely indicates their decline in differentiation and proliferation potential. Furthermore, transcriptomic profiling combined with co-regulation network analyses arranged different Tmem subsets into a successive differentiation pathway. In addition, we identified a number of epigenetically controlled candidate master regulators for Tmem formation, of which we functionally validated a new methylation-sensitive promoter for the known 'naive-keeper' transcription factor Foxp1. Our study highlights the power of epigenomic datasets in the elucidation of the cellular history but also of the functional potential of T cell populations including the identification of epigenetically controlled master regulators.

  Study EGAS00001001624

• Hip OA Functional Genomics

  The aim of this work is to apply an integrated systems approach to understand the biological underpinnings of hip osteoarthritis that culminates in the need for total joint replacement (TJR). This study is a feasibility pilot that integrates functional genomics data from diseased and non-diseased tissues of OA patients who have undergone TJR. For each tissue, we characterised epigenetic marks (methylation), gene transcription (RNASeq) and expression (quantitative proteomics). We also generated genotype data on the HumanCoreExome array for each individual.

  Study EGAS00001002483

• RRBS sequencing of 7 tumour regions and a normal sample from a single TRACERx patient.

  Background: Epigenetic heterogeneity within a tumour can play an important role in tumour evolution and the emergence of resistance to treatment. It is increasingly recognised that the study of DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns along the genome - so-called `epialleles' - offers greater insight into epigenetic dynamics than conventional analyses which examine DNAm marks individually. Results: We have developed a Bayesian model to infer which epialleles are present in multiple regions of the same tumour. We apply our method to reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) data from multiple regions of one lung cancer tumour and a matched normal sample. The model borrows information from all tumour regions to leverage greater statistical power. The total number of epialleles, the epiallele DNAm patterns, and a noise hyperparameter are all automatically inferred from the data. Uncertainty as to which epiallele an observed sequencing read originated from is explicitly incorporated by marginalising over the appropriate posterior densities. The degree to which tumour samples are contaminated with normal tissue can be estimated and corrected for. By tracing the distribution of epialleles throughout the tumour we can infer the phylogenetic history of the tumour, identify epialleles that differ between normal and cancer tissue, and define a measure of global epigenetic disorder. Conclusions: Detection and comparison of epialleles within multiple tumour regions enables phylogenetic analyses, identification of differentially expressed epialleles, and provides a measure of epigenetic heterogeneity.

  Study EGAS00001002484

• MutWP1__CRUK_Grand_Challenge_Mutographs_of_Cancer__clear_cell_renal_cell_carcinoma

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating the recruitment of 5000 individuals with cancer (colorectal, renal, pancreatic, oesophageal adenocarcinoma or oesophageal squamous cancers) across 5 continents to explore whether different mutational signatures explain marked variation in incidence. In brief, through an international network of collaborators around the world, biological materials are collected, along with demographic, histological, clinical and questionnaire data. Whole genome sequences of tumour-germline DNA pairs are generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with risk factors data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001002608

• A system-wide approach to monitor responses to synergistic BRAF and EGFR inhibition in colorectal cancer cells

  Molecular heterogeneity of tumors, epigenetic changes and a diverse range of molecular mechanisms are main contributors to drug resistance, which represents one of the great challenges in cancer treatment. A deeper understanding of the molecular biology of cancer has resulted in better targeted therapies, where one or multiple drugs are adopted in novel therapies to tackle resistance. This beneficial effect of using combination treatments has to some extent also been observed in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients harboring the BRAF(V600E) mutation, whereby dual inhibition of BRAF(V600E) and EGFR increases antitumor activity. Notwithstanding this success, it is not clear whether this combination treatment is the only or most effective treatment to block resistance. Here, we investigate molecular responses upon single and multi-target treatments, over time, using BRAF(V600E) mutant CRC cells as a well-define model system. Through integration of transcriptomic, proteomic and phosphoproteomics data we obtain a comprehensive overview, revealing both well-known and novel responses. We primarily observe widespread upregulation of tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and and metabolic pathways. This points to by which the treated cells switch energy sources as a defensive response entering a quiescent like state, while activating signalling to re-activate the MAPK pathway.

  Study EGAS00001002654

• Ultra-Fast Patient-Derived Xenografts Identify Functional and Spatial Tumour Heterogeneities that Drive Therapeutic Resistance

  Treatment of patients with advanced cancers increasingly relies on agents targeting specific molecular or cellular aberrations. These expensive therapies often fail because of pre-existing drug resistance. Intra-tumoural molecular and micro-environmental heterogeneity resistance can create resistance in one or more subclones of a tumour, leading to spatio-functional heterogeneity. We created a rapid approach for quantifying tumour functional phenotypes based on tumour-implantation into the chorioallantoic membrane of chick embryos. We apply this technique to 43 separate biopsies from 6 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with 36 replicates per biopsy, achieving a 93.6% engraftment rate (1449/1548). Challenging these models with sunitinib, an anti-angiogenic therapy frequently used in RCC allowed us to quantify spatio-functional heterogeneity in individual patients. Prediction of de novo drug resistance in advanced cancer patients would facilitate precision medicine by tailoring systemic therapies and improve clinical trial design outcome measures. We describe a patient-derived xenograft platform where fresh patient tumour samples are implanted into the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chick embryos at high engraftment efficiencies, permitting large scale “tumour avatar” studies to guide the selection of drugs and to predict clinical drug resistance outcomes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. Applying this “tumour avatar” model in a co-clinical trial on RCC patients, we observe intra-tumoural functional heterogeneity with sunitinib treatment, revealing the presence of drug-resistant clones prior to the initiation of therapy. Multi-regional exome Matched DNA sequencing of the primary tumour and metastases revealed DNA mutational signatures associated with sunitinib resistance at baseline and after treatment. These These studies demonstrate a rapid and affordable method of findings confirm the existence of genetic and surveying functional tumour heterogeneities heterogeneity.

  Study EGAS00001002627

• MutWP1__CRUK_Grand_Challenge_Mutographs_of_Cancer__pancreas

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating the recruitment of 5000 individuals with cancer (colorectal, renal, pancreatic, oesophageal adenocarcinoma or oesophageal squamous cancers) across 5 continents to explore whether different mutational signatures explain marked variation in incidence. In brief, through an international network of collaborators around the world, biological materials are collected, along with demographic, histological, clinical and questionnaire data. Whole genome sequences of tumour-germline DNA pairs are generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (Illumina HiSeqX, 40X and 20X depth respectively). Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with risk factors data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001002726

• Himalayan_population_genetic_study

  We genotyped 770 individuals belonging to 49 populations from Nepal, Bhutan, North India or Tibet at over 500,000 SNPs genomewide to investigate the demographic history of the region and the genetic adaptations to the harsh environment. This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

  Study EGAS00001002731

• Somatic_mutation_and_clonal_evolution_in_premalignant_lung_disease___WGS

  Cancer is a genetic disease caused by an accumulations of mutations, however many of these mutations have been identified in pathologically normal tissue. We aim to use laser-capture microscopy (LCM) to sample individual clones from the lung tissue of individuals with a variety of lung diseases (COPD, UIP, IPF, Emphysema, pulmonary hypertension). This will allow us to identify whether cancer-associated mutations appear in this normal tissue, assess the mutational burden present, and identify the mutational processes causing these mutations. Smoking is a large risk factor for developing many of these lung diseases so we are particularly keen to determining whether there is evidence of a smoking signature in these patients.

  Study EGAS00001002747

• Genomic analysis Nasopharyngeal cancer through whole exome sequencing and whole genomic sequencing.

  Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a squamous-cell carcinoma and has remarkable ethnic and geographic distribution, with a high prevalence in southern China, southeast Asia, northern Africa and Alaska. Although there are previous studies implicated NF-κB pathway play an important role in NPC. Newer research also found several important cellular processes and pathways in NPC, including chromatin modification, ERBB-PI3K signaling and autophagy machinery. Put these studies together, although, NPC is still poorly understood at the genetic level. Here we determined the mutational landscape of 553 cases with NPC using whole-genomic and whole-exome sequencing. These approaches revealed a distinct mutational signature and significantly mutated genes.

  Study EGAS00001002788

• The 3D evolution of glioma cell populations

  Study description: A detailed understanding of heterogeneity in solid tumors has been limited due to insufficient sampling and a lack of knowledge from where within the tumor the sample was taken from. We present here a novel resource - the 3D Glioma Atlas - in which we record the precise, three-dimensional (3D) coordinate for each of 8-20 spatially-distinct samples obtained from each patient tumor.By revealing how genetic alterations and tumor cell states are patterned in glioma in 3D space, our Atlas shows that genetic diversity is more regionally confined in indolent as compared to aggressive tumors, that recurrent tumors have a greater density of genetic diversity, and that more aggressive tumors have greater tumor-wide transcriptomic heterogeneity.

  Study EGAS00001003710

• DNA hypermethylation and differential gene expression associated with Klinefelter syndrome

  The molecular basis for the phenotypic traits and morbidity in Klinefelter syndrome (KS) are not clarified. As DNA methylation affect gene expression and thereby play a role in disease susceptibility, we performed genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of leucocytes from peripheral blood samples from 67 KS patients, 67 male controls and 33 female controls, in addition to genome-wide RNA-sequencing profiling in a subset of 9 KS patients, 9 control males and 13 female controls. Characterization of the methylome as well as the transcriptome of both coding and non-coding genes identified a unique epigenetic and genetic landscape of both autosomal chromosomes as well as the X chromosome in KS. A subset of genes show significant correlation between methylation values and expression values. Gene set enrichment analysis of differentially methylated positions yielded terms associated with well-known comorbidities seen in KS. In addition, differentially expressed genes revealed enrichment for genes involved in the immune system, wnt-signaling pathway and neuron development. Based on our data we point towards many new candidate genes (AKAP17A, AMOT, APOB, DACT1, DDX58, DOCK7, EIF2S3, FIGNL1, G3BP1, HENMT1, HERC5, IFI44, IFI44L, IFIT1, IFIT3, ISG15, KANK1, LGALS1, NSD1, PEX10, PLSCR1, RSAD2, SHROOM2, SLC25A6, SPEG, SPON2, TXLNG), which may be implicated in the phenotype and further point towards non-coding genes (RP13-216E22.4, RP13-36G14.4, G087825, G088512), which may be involved in X chromosome inactivation in KS and in the regulation of escape genes.

  Study EGAS00001002797

• Profiling_heterogeneity_in_Human_derived_IPSC_neurons

  The impact of genetic variants on molecular pathways that give rise to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s is best elucidated in the appropriate cell types and molecular contexts. Existing studies have focused on bulk profiling of mixed cell types, but have ignored assaying genetic effects across development and cell differentiation. At the core of this proposal is the idea to use single-cell assays to study genetic effects during differentiation of dopaminergic and cortical neurons to identify the sequence of molecular events from variants to healthy and diseased cell states in a cell-specific manner. 1) This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/

  Study EGAS00001002885

• A whole genome analysis of single fetal human stem cells from the liver and the intestine

  Mutations of embryonic and fetal origin have the potential to affect a large proportion of adult cells and may alter cancer predisposition or lead to genetic disease syndromes. We have recently shown that human adult-stem cells progressively acquire approximately 40 novel tissue-specific mutations per year throughout postnatal life. Prenatal mutation rates are as yet unknown. Here we determined genome-wide mutation patterns of single stem cells in human development by sequencing of clonally expanded intestinal and liver organoid cultures of 2nd trimester human foetuses. Our results show that mutation rates in fetal stem cells are significantly higher than in adult stem cells.

  Study EGAS00001002886

• To determine the mutational impact of the in vitro culture, clonal human adult and pluripotent stem cell lines were subjected to a second clonal step after 3 months of culture. These subclones were whole genome sequenced to identify all the mutations that accumulated during the 3 month culture period.

  Genetic changes acquired during culture pose a potential risk for the successful application of stem cells. To assess the risk of in vitro expansion on mutation accumulation we have performed whole genome sequencing of clonally expanded human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and adult stem cells (ASCs) to identify all mutations that accumulated over a fixed culture period. We find that ASCs acquire more single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and indels per population doubling than the iPS cells. When compared with ASCs, iPS cells are more vulnerable to mutations in genes and promoters. Mutational analysis revealed a clear in vitro induced mutational signature that is irrespective of stem cell type. This in vitro signature is characterized by C to G transversions that are probably caused by oxidative stress. Additionally, we observed stem cell specific mutational signatures and differences in transcriptional strand bias, indicating differential activity of DNA repair mechanisms between stem cell types in culture. In conclusion, in vitro culture induces mutation accumulation in iPS cells and ASCs. Culture under low-oxygen tension may help to reduce the number of culture-induced mutations.

  Study EGAS00001002955

• GoDARTS T2D-GENES Exome Sequencing Study is a subset of the ~52,000 Type 2 diabetes exome sequencing project.

  The GoDARTS T2D-GENES Exome sequencing study is a subset of a larger Type 2 Diabetes Exome Sequencing project. This effort is a collaboration of six consortia with various funding mechanisms that have joined together to investigate genetic variants for type 2 diabetes (T2D) using the largest T2D case/control sample set compiled to date and includes samples from: T2D-GENES, GoT2D, ESP, SIGMA T2D, LuCAMP, and ProDIGY. This data generated from the Genetics of Diabetes and Audit Research Tayside Study (GoDARTS) cohort was part of the T2D-GENES (Type 2 Diabetes Genetic Exploration by Next-generation sequencing in multi-Ethnic Samples) consortium, which is a NIDDK-funded international research consortium that seeks to identify genetic variants for T2D through multiethnic sequencing studies. Sequencing for the GoDARTS study was performed at the Broad Institute using Illumina Rapid Capture on Illumina HiSeq machines.

  Study EGAS00001002937

• Botswana 15 autosomal unlinked microsatellites

  Population structure was investigated in 990 Botswana individuals according to ethno-linguistics, Bantu and Khoisan, and geography (the nine administrative districts) using the AmpFLSTR Identifiler autosomal microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity and forensic parameters were calculated for the overall population, and according to ethno-linguistics and geography. The overall combined power of exclusion (CPE) was 0.9999965412 and the combined match probability 6,28 x 10-19. CPE was highest for the Khoisan Tuu ethnolinguistic group and the Northeast District at 0.9999582029 and 0.9999922652 respectively. CMP ranged from 6.28 x 10-19 (Khoisan Tuu) to 1,02 x 10-18 (Northwest district). Using pairwise genetic distances (FST), analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), factorial correspondence analysis (FCA), and the unsupervised Bayesian clustering method found in STRUCTURE and landscape genetics software TESS, ethno-linguistics were found to have a greater influence on population structure than geography. FCA showed clustering between Bantu and Khoisan, and within the Bantu. This Bantu sub-structuring was not seen with STRUCTURE and TESS, which detected clustering only between Bantu and Khoisan. The patterns of population structure revealed highlight the need for regional reference databases that include ethno-linguistic and geographic location information. These markers have important potential for bio-anthropological studies as well as for forensic applications.

  Study EGAS00001002380

• Population_dynamics_in_abnormal_haematopoiesis

  Background: Our recent study has made direct insight into the clonal dynamics of blood cell production in an unperturbed setting in a human. Using whole genome sequencing to track acquired somatic mutations, we were able to construct a phylogenetic tree of different stem and progenitor cells and used this tree to determine the dynamics of mature blood cell production in longitudinal samples. These data set the baseline for understanding population dynamics in abnormal haematopoiesis, and how malignant clones outcompete their normal counterparts to drive haematological malignancies. Aim: This study will measure population dynamics in abnormal human haematopoiesis in patients with clonal blood stem cell disorders. Methods: From patient bone marrow or peripheral blood, we have isolated colonies grown from single blood stem cells/progenitors. Colony DNA will be analysed by whole-genome sequencing to build (or populate) a phylogenetic tree to determine clonal relationships and track stem cell contribution to mature blood cell production. These data will also reveal disease-associated genomic features (mutational burden and mutational signatures) in haematopoietic cells.

  Study EGAS00001003181

• Analysis of IDHwt-glioblastoma samples from paired primary and recurrent tumor samples

  IDHwt-glioblastomas rapidly recur after initial treatment. To study genetic evolution in glioblastoma, we analyzed whole genomes of 21 pairs of primary and recurrent tumor samples using next generation sequencing. In addition we sequenced RNA from 16 tumor pairs and a panel of 50 glioma-associated genes in tumor pairs from 43 patients (including 14 of the 21 patients included in the WGS discovery set). Glioblastoma subtypes were determined using 450k/EPIC methylation arrays. This study was supported within the e:med program of the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) by the collaborative research project ‘SYS-GLIO - Systems-based prediction of the biological and clinical behavior of gliomas’ (https://www.sys-med.de/de/demonstratoren/sys-glio/) This study is part of the Heidelberg Center for Personalized Oncology - HIPO-043

  Study EGAS00001003184

• Low frequency and rare coding variation contributes to multiple sclerosis risk

  Multiple sclerosis is a common, complex neurological disease, where almost 20% of risk heritability can be attributed to common genetic variants, including >230 identified by genome-wide association studies. Multiple strands of evidence suggest that the majority of the remaining heritability is also due to the additive effects of individual variants, rather than epistatic interactions between these variants, or mutations exclusive to individual families. Here, we show in 68,379 cases and controls that as much as 5% of this heritability is explained by low-frequency variation in gene coding sequence. We identify four novel genes driving MS risk independently of common variant signals, which highlight a key role for regulatory T cell homeostasis and regulation, IFNγ biology and NFκB signaling in MS pathogenesis.

  Study EGAS00001003195

• Genetic characterization of B-cell prolymphocytic leukemia: a hierarchical prognostic model involving MYC and TP53 abnormalities - WXS

  B-PLL is a rare disease, whose molecular pathology is largely unknown. We report here the cytogenetic and molecular findings in a large series of 34 B-PLL. Karyotype (K) was complex (≥3 abnormalities) in 73%, and highly complex (HCK≥5) in 45%. The most frequent chromosomal aberrations were: translocation targeting the MYC gene [t(MYC)] (62%), 17p deletion including TP53 gene (38%), trisomy 18/18q (30%), 13q14 deletion (29%), trisomy 3 (24%), trisomy 12 (24%) and 8p deletion (23%). Whole-Exome Sequencing performed in 16 patients revealed recurrent mutations in TP53 (6/16, 38%), MYD88 (n=4), BCOR (n=4), MYC (n=3), SF3B1 (n=3), FAT1 (n=3), SETD2 (n=2), CHD2 (n=2), CXCR4 (n=2) and BCLAF1 (n=2). The main group of patients (21/34, 62%) had a t(MYC) associated with a higher percentage of prolymphocytes (p=0.03), CD38 expression (p<0.001), lower K complexity (p=0.0004), mutations in MYC and in genes involved in RNA metabolism and chromatin remodeling. Principal component analysis of gene expression data showed that patients with t(MYC) clustered together. A second group with MYC gain (5/34, 15%), was associated with HCK≥5 (p=0,01) and trisomy 3 (p=0,008). Altogether, 26/34 patients (76%) had a MYC activation, translocation or gain, that were mutually exclusive. We identified 3 distinct cytogenetic prognostic groups (p=0.0006): lower risk: absence of MYC activation (median not reached); intermediate risk: MYC activation without del17p (125 months); high risk: MYC activation + del17p (11 months). Our results show that cytogenetic analysis is a useful diagnostic tool in B-PLL that improves prognostic stratification.

  Study EGAS00001003275

• Genomics of enteropathy associated T cell lymphoma (EATL)

  Enteropathy-associated T cell lymphoma (EATL) is a lethal and the most common neoplastic complication of celiac disease. In this study, we applied whole exome sequencing in 69 EATL tumors to define the genetic landscape of EATLs. The most frequently mutated gene in EATL was SETD2 (32% of cases), with loss of function mutations comprising a large proportion (41%) of those mutations. The JAK-STAT pathway was the most frequently mutated signaling pathway, with mutations in STAT5B being the most common, followed by JAK1, JAK3, STAT3, and the negative regulator of the pathway, SOCS1. We also identified mutations in NRAS and KRAS, as well as TP53 and TERT. Interestingly, the two types of EATL had highly overlapping genetic alterations indicating shared mechanisms underlying their pathogenesis. Gene expression analysis of the two types of EATL identify robust differences in transcriptional profiles. We further modeled the effects of SETD2 loss in vivo by developing a T cell specific knockout mouse model. These mice manifested an expansion of γδ T cells that identify novel roles for SETD2 in T cell development and lymphomagenesis. Together, our data render the most comprehensive genetic portrait yet of this uncommon but lethal disease, and may inform future classification schemes.

  Study EGAS00001001954

• Pancreatic cancer organoids recapitulate disease and allow personalized drug screening

  We report derivation of 30 Patient-Derived Organoid lines (PDOs) from tumors arising in the pancreas and distal bile duct. PDOs recapitulate tumor histology and contain genetic alterations typical for pancreatic cancer. In vitro testing of a panel of 76 therapeutic agents revealed sensitivities currently not exploited in the clinic. The PRMT5 inhibitor EZP015556, shown to target MTAP negative tumors, was validated as such, but also appeared to constitute an effective therapy for a subset of MTAP+ tumors. Taken together, the work presented here provides a platform to identify novel therapeutics to target pancreatic tumor cells using PDOs.

  Study EGAS00001003369

• Analysis of error profiles in deep next-generation sequencing data

  BackgroundSequencing errors are key confounding factors for detecting low-frequency genetic variants that are important for cancer molecular diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance using deep next-generation sequencing (NGS). However, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of errors introduced at various steps of a conventional NGS workflow, such as sample handling, library preparation, PCR enrichment, and sequencing. In this study, we use current NGS technology to systematically investigate these questions.ResultsBy evaluating read-specific error distributions, we discover that the substitution error rate can be computationally suppressed to 10-5 to 10-4, which is 10- to 100-fold lower than generally considered achievable (10-3) in the current literature. We then quantify substitution errors attributable to sample handling, library preparation, enrichment PCR, and sequencing by using multiple deep sequencing datasets. We find that error rates differ by nucleotide substitution types, ranging from 10-5 for A>C/T>G, C>A/G>T, and C>G/G>C changes to 10-4 for A>G/T>C changes. Furthermore, C>T/G>A errors exhibit strong sequence context dependency, sample-specific effects dominate elevated C>A/G>T errors, and target enrichment PCR led to aprox 6-fold increase of overall error rate. We also find that more than 70% of hotspot variants can be detected at 0.1% - 0.01% frequency with the current NGS technology by applying in-silico error suppression.ConclusionsWe present the first comprehensive analysis of sequencing error sources in conventional NGS workflows. The error profiles revealed by our study highlight new directions for further improving NGS analysis accuracy both experimentally and computationally, ultimately enhancing the precision of deep sequencing.

  Study EGAS00001003444

• MutWP1__CRUK_Grand_Challenge_Mutographs_of_Cancer__Colorectal_LCM

  The Mutographs project aims to advance our understanding of the causes of cancer through studies of mutational signatures. Led by Mike Stratton, together with Paul Brennan, Ludmil Alexandrov, Allan Balmain, David Phillips and Peter Campbell, this large-scale international research endeavour was awarded a Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge. Different patterns of somatic mutation are generated by the different environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that cause cancer, many of them are still unknown. Within Mutographs, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is coordinating the recruitment of 5000 individuals with cancer (colorectal, renal, pancreatic, oesophageal adenocarcinoma or oesophageal squamous cancers) across 5 continents to explore whether different mutational signatures explain marked variation in incidence. In brief, through an international network of collaborators around the world, biological materials are collected, along with demographic, histological, clinical and questionnaire data. Whole genome sequences of tumour-germline DNA pairs are generated at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Somatic mutational signatures are subsequently extracted by non-negative matrix factorisation methods and correlated with risk factors data. Through an enhanced understanding of cancer aetiology, Mutographs unprecedented effort is anticipated to outline modifiable risk factors, lead to new approaches to prevent cancer, and provide opportunities to empower early detection, refine high-risk groups and contribute to further therapeutic development.

  Study EGAS00001003455

• Biological insights from the whole genome sequences of human embryonic stem cell lines

  Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a powerful tool for the study of human development and can form the basis of cellular disease models or therapies. However, the genetic make-up and stability of hESCs has not been systematically studied at a genome-wide level with single nucleotide resolution. We therefore sequenced the whole genome and whole exomes of widely available hESC. This online resource will enable investigators to access raw sequencing data in order to interrogate cell lines for different disease- and trait-associated genetic variants.

  Study EGAS00001002400

• Comprehensive investigation of genome architecture of gastric adenocarcinoma with whole-genome sequencing in the Chinese population.

  In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 214 paired GC tumors and adjacent normal tissues to identify novel potential biomarkers. We extracted mutational signatures which induce somatic mutations and classified GC tumors into four groups with significantly different prognosis. Moreover, we observed copy number changes and structural variations frequently occurring in some cancer related genes. Our study covers a comprehensive genetic framework that can be used in clinical trials and treatment modalities in GC.

  Study EGAS00001002404

• Fixation effects on variant-calling in a clinical resequencing panel

  Formalin fixation is the standard method for preservation of tissue for diagnostic purposes, including pathological review and molecular assays. However, this method is known to cause artifacts that can affect the accuracy of molecular genetic tests. We assessed the applicability of alternative fixatives to determine whether these perform significantly better on next-generation sequencing assays, and whether adequate morphology is retained for primary diagnosis, in a prospective study using a clinical-grade laboratory-developed targeted resequencing assay. We examined and quantified several parameters relating to sequencing quality and variant-calling from tumor and normal colon epithelial tissues. We identify one alterative fixative, Sakura Universal Molecular Fixative that suppresses many formalin-related artifacts while retaining adequate morphology for pathological review.

  Study EGAS00001003507

• BLUEPRINT DNA Methylation 450K data of mantle cell lymphoma

  We have applied an analytic strategy to decipher the DNA methylome of 86 mantle cell lymphomas (MCL) in light of the methylome of the entire B-cell lineage. In this way, we first identified two MCL subgroups that respectively carry epigenetic imprints of pre- and post-germinal center B cells. Secondly, we observed that pure tumor-specific changes are rare, as most (89-99%) DNA methylation alterations in MCL are within or in close proximity of those regions showing dynamic methylation in normal B cells. Several thousand of these differentially methylated regions in MCL show concurrent changes in enhancer-associated histone modifications, including a region located 650 Kb away from the MCL oncogene SOX11. At the clinical level, epigenetic and genetic changes co-evolve during MCL progression and the magnitude of epigenetic changes is associated with overall survival of the patients.

  Study EGAS00001001637

• EXOME-WIDE ASSOCIATION ANALYSIS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA POPULATION

  Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Mortality rates associated with CAD have shown an exceptional increase particularly in fast developing economies like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Over the past twenty years, CAD has become the leading cause of death in KSA and has reached epidemic proportions. This rise is undoubtedly caused by fast urbanization that is associated with a life-style that promotes CAD. However, the question remains whether genetics play a significant role and whether genetic susceptibility is increased in KSA compared to the well-studied Western European populations. Therefore, we performed an Exome-wide association study (EWAS) in 832 patients and 1,076 controls of Saudi Arabian origin to test whether population specific, strong genetic risk factors for CAD exist, or whether the polygenic risk score for known genetic risk factors for CAD, lipids, and Type 2 Diabetes show evidence for an enriched genetic burden. Our results do not show significant associations for a single genetic locus. However, the heritability estimate for CAD for this population was high (h2 = 0.53, S.E. = 0.1, p = 4e-12) and we observed a significant association of the polygenic risk score for CAD that demonstrates that the population of KSA, at least in part, shares the genetic risk associated to CAD in Western populations.

  Study EGAS00001001645

• Whole-Genome and Epigenomic Landscapes of Etiologically Distinct Subtypes of Cholangiocarcinoma

  Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a hepatobiliary malignancy exhibiting high incidence in countries with endemic liver-fluke infection. We analyzed 489 CCAs from 10 countries, combining whole-genome (71 cases), targeted/exome, copy-number, gene expression, and DNA methylation information. Integrative clustering defined 4 CCA clusters-fluke-positive CCAs (clusters 1/2) are enriched in ERBB2 amplifications and TP53 mutations; conversely, fluke-negative CCAs (clusters 3/4) exhibit high copy-number alterations and PD-1/PD-L2 expression, or epigenetic mutations (IDH1/2, BAP1) and FGFR/PRKA-related gene rearrangements. Whole-genome analysis highlighted FGFR2 3' untranslated region deletion as a mechanism of FGFR2 upregulation. Integration of noncoding promoter mutations with protein-DNA binding profiles demonstrates pervasive modulation of H3K27me3-associated sites in CCA. Clusters 1 and 4 exhibit distinct DNA hypermethylation patterns targeting either CpG islands or shores-mutation signature and subclonality analysis suggests that these reflect different mutational pathways. Our results exemplify how genetics, epigenetics, and environmental carcinogens can interplay across different geographies to generate distinct molecular subtypes of cancer.SIGNIFICANCE: Integrated whole-genome and epigenomic analysis of CCA on an international scale identifies new CCA driver genes, noncoding promoter mutations, and structural variants. CCA molecular landscapes differ radically by etiology, underscoring how distinct cancer subtypes in the same organ may arise through different extrinsic and intrinsic carcinogenic processes.

  Study EGAS00001001653

• Lindsey E. Jones et al. Patient-derived cells from recurrent tumors that model the evolution of IDH-mutant glioma. Neuro-Oncology Advances, 2020. We established robust, versatile, and well-characterized Patient Derived Cells (PDC) of an IDH1-mutant astrocytoma and an IDH1-mutant oligodendroglioma that represents defined evolutionary stages of chemotherapy-induced hypermutation. The PDCs retain tumor subtype defining features over time as well as classic hallmarks of cancer, including anchorage independent growth and cell immortality. The integrated phylogenies composed of PDCs,single-cell-derived PDCs, patient-derived xenografts, and corresponding spatiotemporal tumor tissue samples also provide new insight into the clonality, evolutionary pattern, and immense mutational load of hypermutated IDH mutant gliomas.

  IDH-mutant lower-grade gliomas can undergo malignant progression via temozolomide-driven hypermutation. Patient-derived cells (PDC) that model the genetically distinct hypermutated (HM) tumor subgroup are generally lacking, and few if any human brain tumor cell models are from defined evolutionary time points. Here, we characterize multiple PDC derived from independent surgical specimens of IDH1-mutant recurrences, including an ATRX and TP53-mutant astrocytoma and a 1p/19q co-deleted and TERT promoter-mutant oligodendroglioma. We determined the evolutionary time points represented by each PDC using exome sequencing and phylogenetic reconstruction, comparing the PDC and single cell clones of the PDC (scPDC) to multiple spatiotemporal tumor tissue samples, PDC-derived xenografts (PDX) and patient-matched blood. The tumor samples exhibited TMZ-induced mutagenesis and a branching pattern of evolution. We found clear evidence of two fully independent founder HM clones in the tumor tissue that are faithfully represented by independent PDC. The PDC, scPDC and PDX also shared the mutagenesis signature and represent the mid and later evolutionary time points of their corresponding tumors. The PDC maintained the tumor subtype-defining features over many passages, including heterozygosity of the IDH1 R132H mutation, production of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG), and subtype-specific telomere maintenance mechanisms. The PDC from both tumors exhibited anchorage-independent growth in soft agar. The oligodendroglioma PDC formed infiltrative intracranial tumors with characteristic oligodendroglioma histology, initially with a long period to tumor formation. We conclude that the PDC, scPDC and PDX faithfully model the heterogeneous clonal origins of the corresponding tumor tissue. The multilevel analysis also provides new insight into the intratumoral heterogeneity and vast mutational load of HM glioma. The PDC from multiple evolutionary time points presented in the context of full clinical timelines may be useful to model evolution and intratumoral heterogeneity, important sources of therapeutic failure.

  Study EGAS00001003992

• 33 patients with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) had whole exome sequencing performed. Cells were sorted by FACSAria using CD138, CD19 and CD56 to obtain a pure abnormal plasma cell population. Generated somatic variants were compared to a previous study of 463 multiple myeloma patients.

  Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant precursor of multiple myeloma (MM) with a 1% risk of progression per year. Although targeted analyses have shown the presence of specific genetic abnormalities such as IGH translocations, RB1 deletion, 1q gain, hyperdiploidy or RAS genes mutations, little is known about molecular mechanism of malignant transformation. We have performed whole exome sequencing together with SNP array analysis in 33 flow-cytometry separated abnormal PC samples of MGUS patients to describe somatic gene mutations and chromosome changes at the genome-wide level. Non-synonymous mutations (NS-SNVs) and copy number alterations (CNAs) were present in 97.0% and in 63.6% of cases, respectively. Importantly, the number of somatic mutations was significantly lower in MGUS compared to MM (p<10-4) and we have identified 6 myeloma significantly mutated genes which are KRAS, NRAS, DIS3, HIST1H1E, EGR1 and LTB in the MGUS dataset. We also found a positive correlation with increasing chromosome changes and somatic mutations. IGH translocations were present in 27.3% of cases comprising t(4;14), t(11;14), t(14;16) or t(14;20) and were in a similar frequency to MM, which corresponded with primary lesion hypothesis. Data from this study showed MGUS is a genetically comprehensive disease, however overall genetic instability is significantly lower compared to MM.

  Study EGAS00001001658

• High-throughput telomere length measurement at nucleotide resolution using the PacBio high fidelity sequencing platform, P49-P104 and run1 replicates

  Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear chromosomes that are essential for the stability as well as the complete replication of the human genome. The progressive shortening of steady-state telomere length in normal human somatic cells is a promising biomarker for age-associated diseases. However, there remain substantial challenges in quantifying telomere length in clinics and research laboratories due to the lack of accurate and high-throughput telomere length measurement method. Here, we describe a novel workflow to capture and analyze telomeres accurately at the single-nucleotide resolution. By using newly designed telobaits that are complementary to the single-stranded G-rich 3’ telomeric overhangs, we can specifically and efficiently capture full-length telomeres and subject them to single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing. We show that the telomere length can be measured at nucleotide resolution using the PacBio high fidelity (HiFi) sequencing platform, which provides the necessary accuracy and throughput to uncover the steady-state telomere length distribution in human culture cell lines as well as clinical patient samples. This new method is a valuable tool not only in population-wide epidemiology studies but also for the longitudinal assessment of telomere attrition in individuals. Our results also reveal the extreme heterogeneity of telomeric variant sequences (TVSs) that is dispersed throughout the telomere repeat region. Importantly, the unique distribution pattern and sequence of TVSs in individuals may be used as a fingerprint for sample identification. In addition, the presence of TVSs disrupts the continuity of the canonical (5’-TTAGGG-3’)n telomere repeats, which could affect the binding of shelterin complexes at the chromosomal ends. Therefore, TVSs may act as a form of genetic polymorphisms that impairs telomere protection. Together with the absolute telomere length in each individual, TVSs may have profound implications in human aging and diseases.

  Study EGAS00001006595

• Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia

  Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia is an aggressive hematological malignancy with dismal outcomes, with the pCMML subtype in particular having median OS of <2 years and high rates of AML transformation (Patnaik et al., 2014). Given limited therapeutic options for affected patients, we carried out this study to define the genetic and epigenetic landscape of pCMML and identify therapies that could modify disease biology.

  Study EGAS00001005107

• Prognostic relevance of microenvironmental factors CD163 and CD8 combined with EZH2 and chromosome 18 gain in a validation cohort of follicular lymphoma patients of the Lunenburg Lymphoma Biomarker Consortium

  Background: In follicular lymphoma (FL), studies addressing the prognostic value of microenvironment-related immunohistochemical (IHC) markers and tumor cell-related genetic markers have yielded conflicting results, precluding implementation in practice. Therefore, the Lunenburg Lymphoma Biomarker Consortium (LLBC) performed a validation study for published markers. Methods: To maximize sensitivity, an end-of-spectrum design was applied for 122 uniformly immunochemotherapy-treated FL patients retrieved from international trials and registries; early failure (EF): progression or lymphoma-related death <2 years versus long remission: response duration of >5 years. IHC staining for T-cells and macrophages was performed on tissue microarrays from initial biopsy and scored with a validated computer-assisted protocol. Shallow whole-genome and deep targeted sequencing was performed on the same samples. Results: 96/122 cases with complete molecular and immunohistochemical data were included in the analysis. EZH2 wild-type (p=0.006), gain of chromosome 18 (p=0.002), low percentages of CD8+ cells (p=0.011) and CD163+ areas (p=0.038) were associated with EF. No significant differences in other markers were observed, thereby refuting previous claims on their prognostic significance. Conclusion: Using an optimized study design, this LLBC study validates wild-type EZH2 status, gain of chromosome 18, low percentages of CD8+ cells and CD163+ area as predictors of EF to immunochemotherapy in FL.

  Study EGAS00001002049

• Genome-Wide Association Study of aspirin-induced PUD in a UK cohort

  Aspirin is a widely prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used as an effective analgesic and at low doses as anti-platelet drug for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, aspirin is associated with a significant incidence of upper gastrointestinal (GI) complications, notably peptic ulceration. This study aims to identify genetic risk factors associated with the pathogenesis of aspirin-induced upper GI ulceration.A cohort of 248 patients with aspirin-induced, endoscopiclly confirmed GI ulceration and 491 controls (ulcer, without aspirin or aspirin without ulcer) were genotyped for 1.524,956 SNPs using the Illumina Omni 2.5 SNP array. A replication cohort (206 NSAID-induced ulcer cases [of which 87 were aspirin] and 309 controls) was subsequently genotyped for identified SNP association signals using Sequenom iPLEX Massarry. Logistic regression analysis of identified two SNP signal with suggestive association with aspirin-induced GI ulceration. A SNP within the EYA1 locus (rs12678747) was found to be associated with aspirin GI ulceration in both the discovery cohort (p=3.79x10-7, OR=2.06 ([1.55-2.73]) and, to a lesser extent, in the replication cohort (p=.0005, OR=1.71[1.17-2.50]. Combined analysis of both cohorts yielded a genome wide significant association (p=1.46x10-8). The rs12678747 genotype was found to be associated with significantly higher EYA1 transcript in ulcer biopsy tissue (p<0.05).Data suggest that EYA1 may represent a risk locus for aspirin-induced GI ulceration. Though it is thought that EYA1 may play a key role in mediating cell death/ survival

  Study EGAS00001002052

• Genomic and Epigenomic Features of Primary and Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinomas

  Intratumor heterogeneity and divergent clonal lineages within and among primary and recurrent hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) produce challenges to patient management. We investigated genetic and epigenetic variations within liver tumors, among hepatic lesions, and between primary and relapsing tumors. We performed whole-genome, whole-exome, or targeted capture sequencing analyses HCC specimens collected from multiple tumor regions and matched initial and recurrent tumors to obtain a systematic evaluation of intra- and intertumor genetic heterogeneity in HCC samples and to identify genetic changes associated with tumor progression and recurrence.

  Study EGAS00001002094

• The Asian Diversity Project: genotyping of 37 Asian populations and ethnic groups

  The Asian Diversity Project (ADP) assembled 37 cosmopolitan and ethnic minority populations in Asia that have been densely genotyped across over half a million markers to study patterns of genetic diversity and positive natural selection.

  Study EGAS00001002100

• Tracing the origin of disseminated tumor cells in breast cancer using single-cell sequencing

  Background Single-cell micro-metastases of solid tumors often occur in the bone marrow. These disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) may resist therapy and lay dormant or progress to cause overt bone and visceral metastases. The molecular nature of DTCs remains elusive, as well as when and from where in the tumor they originate. Here, we apply single-cell sequencing to identify and trace the origin of DTCs in breast cancer. Results We sequence the genomes of 63 single cells isolated from six non-metastatic breast cancer patients. By comparing the cells DNA copy number aberration (CNA) landscapes with those of the primary tumors and lymph node metastasis, we establish that 53% of the single cells morphologically classified as tumor cells are DTCs disseminating from the observed tumor. The remaining cells represent either non-aberrant ‘normal’ cells or aberrant cells of unknown origin that have CNA landscapes discordant from the tumor. Further analyses suggest that the prevalence of aberrant cells of unknown origin is age-dependent, and that at least a subset is hematopoietic in origin. Evolutionary reconstruction analysis of bulk tumor and DTC genomes enables ordering of CNA events in molecular pseudo-time and traced the origin of the DTCs to either the main tumor clone, primary tumor subclones, or subclones in an axillary lymph node metastasis. Conclusions Single-cell sequencing of bone marrow epithelial-like cells, in parallel with intra-tumor genetic heterogeneity profiling from bulk DNA, is a powerful approach to identify and study DTCs, yielding insight into metastatic processes. A heterogeneous population of CNA-positive cells is present in the bone marrow of non-metastatic breast cancer patients, only part of which are derived from the observed tumor lineages.

  Study EGAS00001002102

• RNAseq data of polyA+ RNA from Leukocytes from 624 individuals of the SardiNIA cohort.

  We sequenced the polyA+ of the RNA of the leukocytes from 624 sardinian individuals with RNAseq (Illumina 2000, an average of round 60M reads per sample, 51 + 51 nt). Combining the genotype information of the same individuals (already available from the ProgeNIA project) with the transcriptome data we identified 21,183 independent expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and 6,768 independent splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTLs), including 619 novel QTLs that exhibit population-specific trait associations. Using family relationships, we identified 809 segregating expression outliers and provide a new approach to study large effect regulatory variants and their relevance to traits. Our results provide insight into the effects of regulatory variants and their relationship to population history and individual genetic risk.

  Study EGAS00001002105

• De novo assembly of 150 Danish genomes reveals rich structural complexity

  Most known genetic variation in human genomes has been called from comparison of short reads to the reference genome, an approach biased against finding complex variation. We sequenced 150 individuals from 50 parent-offspring trios with multiple insert-size libraries to very high coverage. We show that each genome could be independently de novo assembled into a small number of high-quality scaffolds (median N50 > 21 Mb), each of quality comparable to long read assemblies while being very cost-effective. We show that our variant call set from comparing de novo assemblies is far more complete in terms of complex variation than previous studies. Importantly, even the complex 4-5 Mb extended MHC region was assembled and resolved into haplotypes, revealing >700kb novel sequence in this important region of the genome, and major parts of the Y chromosome including some palindromes were assembled with high accuracy. Finally, we show that our variant call-set allows for the genotyping of many more complex variants when used as a reference-panel for imputation into SNP-chip data or into previously resequenced genomes.

  Study EGAS00001002108

• North American Brain Expression Consortium (NABEC) Exome Sequencing

  A fundamental challenge in the post-genome era is to understand and annotate the consequences of genetic variation, particularly within the context of human tissues. We describe a set of integrated experiments designed to investigate the effects of common genetic variability on mRNA expression distinct human brain regions. We show that brain tissues may be readily distinguished based on expression profile. We find an abundance of genetic cis regulation mRNA expression. We observe that the largest magnitude effects occur across distinct brain regions. We believe these data, which we have made publicly available, will be useful in understanding the biological effects of genetic variation.

  Study EGAS00001002110

• Clinical and genetic analysis of a rare syndrome associated with neoteny

  We describe a novel syndrome in six patients with extreme developmental delay and the defining characteristic of neoteny. In an effort to discover any genetic causes of this syndrome whole genome sequence (WGS) analysis of the patients and their families was performed on Complete Genomics’ nanoarray platform.

  Study EGAS00001002419

• RNA-sequencing of six Pilocytic astrocytoma tumors

  Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is the most common pediatric brain tumor. A recurrent feature of PA is deregulation of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway most often through KIAA1549-BRAF fusion, but also by other BRAF- or RAF1-gene fusions and point mutations (e.g. BRAFV600E). These features may serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers, and also facilitate development of targeted therapy. The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic alterations underlying the development of PA tumor in six cases, and evaluate methods for fusion oncogene detection. Using a combined analysis of RNA sequencing and copy number variation data we identified a new BRAF fusion involving the 5’ gene fusion partner GTF2I (7q11.23), not previously described in PA. The novel GTF2I-BRAF 19-10 fusion was found in one case, while the other five cases harbored the frequent KIAA1549-BRAF 16-9 fusion gene. Comparing fusion detection methods, Fluorescence in situ hybridization with BRAF break apart probe was the most sensitive method for detection of the two different BRAF rearrangements (GTF2I-BRAF and KIAA1549-BRAF). Our finding of a novel BRAF fusion in PA further emphasis the important role of B-Raf in tumorigenesis of these tumor types. Also, the growing list of BRAF/RAF gene fusions suggests these to be informative tumor markers in molecular diagnostics, which could guide future treatment strategies.

  Study EGAS00001002149

• Whole exome sequencing of Parkinson's disease patients from the United Kingdom

  As part of the International Parkinson's Disease Genomics Consortium, exomes of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and healthy controls were sequenced to study the genetic etiology of PD. This UK cohort consists of 70 PD patients. Researchers can apply for access to fastq, vcf and binary plink files for this cohort.

  Study EGAS00001002156