Project description:Amplicon-based targeted re-sequencing analysis was performed in the patient-derived gliobastoma cell culture samples. For this purpose, genomic DNA (gDNA) was isolated and DNA libraries were prepared using the TruSeq Custom Amplicon Low Input (Illumina, Inc.) technology. By this, a pool of 375 amplicons was generated for each single sample in order to enrich for the target genes ATRX1, EGFR, IDH1, NF1, PDGFRA, PIK3CG, PIK3R1, PTEN, RB1 and TP53. Sequencing was performed on the Illumina MiSeq® next generation sequencing system (Illumina Inc.) and its 2 x 250 bp paired-end v2 read chemistry. The resulting reads were quality controlled and mapped against the human reference genome (hg19). For all samples, sequence variations of the amplified regions of interest in comparison to the human reference sequence were identified and filtered based on reliability.
Project description:Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a severe mental disease manifested in time-consuming repetition of behaviors, affects 1-3% of the human population. While highly heritable, complex genetics has hampered attempts to elucidate OCD etiology. Dogs suffer from naturally occurring compulsive disorders that closely model human OCD, manifested as an excessive repetition of normal canine behaviors that only partially responds to drug therapy. The limited diversity within dog breeds makes identifying underlying genetic factors easier. We use genome wide association of 87 Doberman Pinscher cases and 63 controls to identify genomic loci associated with OCD and sequence these regions in 8 affected dogs from high-risk breeds and 8 breed-matched controls. We find 119 variants in evolutionarily conserved sites that are specific to dogs with OCD. These case-only variants are significantly more common in high OCD risk breeds compared to breeds with no known psychiatric problems. Four genes, all with synaptic function, have the most case-only variation: neuronal cadherin (CDH2), catenin alpha2 (CTNNA2), ataxin-1 (ATXN1), and plasma glutamate carboxypeptidase (PGCP). Two different case-only variants targeted the same approximately 500-bp highly conserved regulatory element between the cadherin genes CDH2 and DSC3. We functionally test these variants in a human neuroblastoma cell line and show that they cause significant changes in gene expression, likely due to disrupted transcription factor binding. This work demonstrates how we can use the unique genetics of dog breeds, and mechanistic similarities between human and dog diseases, to find genes and regulatory pathways underlying complex psychiatric disorders.
Project description:The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project aims to provide to the scientific community a resource with which to study human gene expression and regulation and its relationship to genetic variation. This project will collect and analyze multiple human tissues from donors who are also densely genotyped, to assess genetic variation within their genomes. By analyzing global RNA expression within individual tissues and treating the expression levels of genes as quantitative traits, variations in gene expression that are highly correlated with genetic variation can be identified as expression quantitative trait loci, or eQTLs. The present dataset contains RNA-seq from human reference/non-diseased tissues (thus, we have excluded K-562 cell line that is a chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line) from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project (http://www.gtexportal.org/home/).
Project description:Studying neural-related questions is inherently challenging due to the limited number of suitable cell models. Here, we characterize a previously reported immortalized human neural stem cell line, HNSC.100, serving as a robust model for a wide range of neurobiological research questions. The cell line expresses key neural stem cell markers, including SOX2, vimentin, nestin, and allows for efficient genetic manipulation. Furthermore, HNSC.100 cells can be differentiated into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, thereby covering a wide spectrum of major neural cell types. We established a comprehensive panel of molecular markers to validate successful differentiation, enabling precise characterization of the resulting cell population. In addition, we provide a complete dataset of RNA expression levels for all detectable genes in HSNC.100 cells. Based on this dataset, we assembled a list of expressed genes implicated in neural disorders that can be studied with this cell line. Together, we present a detailed characterization of the HNSC.100 cell line and provide new tools and reference data to facilitate its use. This resource enables researchers to evaluate the line's suitability for specific applications and to rapidly integrate HNSC.100 cells into their experimental workflows.
Project description:This study aimed to generate a new panel of comprehensively, genomically characterized high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) cell line and xenograft models. Multidimensional genomic data were generated and compared between cell lines/xenografts and the tumours they were derived from, indicating the cell lines/xenografts are highly similar to their patient-matched tumours. Cell line/xenograft data were also compared to TCGA ovarian tumours to show the cell lines are good models of clinical HGSOC.