23.12.09 Broken genomes behind breast cancers
- Times Online - Breast cancer is not a single disease, scientists discover 24/12/2009
- UK Press Association - Breast cancer 'not single disease' 23/12/2009
- Los Angeles Times Online - More evidence that breast cancer is not just one disease 24/12/2009
- Scotsman Online - Research shows that breast cancer is 'a family of diseases' 24/12/2009
- Scottish Daily Express - Breakthrough in fight against breast cancer 24/12/2009
Researchers led by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute publish the first detailed search of breast cancer genomes to uncover genomic rearrangements. They characterise the ways in which the human genome is broken and put back together in 24 cases of breast cancer. [press release]
16.12.09 Lung cancer and melanoma laid bare
- BBC News Online - Scientists crack 'entire genetic code' of cancer 16/12/2009
- Times Online - Cancer treatment takes a giant step forward as scientists crack code 17/12/2009
- Times Online - Genetic map of tumours reveals thousands of mutations 17/12/2009
- The Independent Online - 15 cigarettes: all it takes to harm genes 17/12/2009
- The Independent Online - The Big Question: Has a key breakthrough been made in the search for a cure for cancer? 18/12/2009
- Cancer Research UK - Scientists complete "groundbreaking" analyses of lung cancer and melanoma genomes 17/12/2009
- Telegraph Online - Genetic breakthrough hails new cancer research era 16/12/2009
- Telegraph Online - British scientists crack killer cancer code 17/12/2009
- The Sun Online - Docs make Big C breakthrough 17/12/2009
- Express Online - Scientists crack cancer gene code 17/12/2009
- Mail Online - Smoking just 15 cigarettes harms your DNA, finds cancer study on gene mutation 17/12/2009
- CNN - Scientists unlock genetic code in major cancer breakthrough 17/12/2009
Research teams led by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute announce the first comprehensive analyses of cancer genomes. The landmark studies, of a malignant melanoma and a lung cancer, reveal for the first time essentially all the mutations in the genomes of two cancers. [press release]
06.12.09 Genetic studies reveal new causes of severe obesity in childhood
- BBC News Online - Obesity gene discovery 'may cut cases blamed on abuse' 06/12/2009
- Times Online - Obese children taken off at-risk register after genes found to be at fault 07/12/2009
- Telegraph Online - Childhood obesity linked to mutant gene 07/12/2009
- The Scotsman Online - Scans show genes may be behind childhood obesity 07/12/2009
Scientists, including Sanger Institute researchers discover that the loss of a key segment of DNA can lead to severe childhood obesity. It is the first study to show that this kind of genetic alteration can cause obesity. [press release]
02.11.09 First draft of pig genome complete
- ABC News Pig DNA Mapped: May Help With Vaccines 03/11/2009
- The Herald Medical breakthrough as pigs' DNA is decoded 02/11/2009
- Associated Press Scientists decode DNA of pg, a research favourite 03/11/2009
A global collaborative produces the first draft of the genome of the domesticated pig. The sequencing effort, most of which was performed at the Sanger Intitute opens new doors to understanding human disease. [press release]
11.10.09 Blood counts are clues to human disease
- GenomeWeb Daily News Genetic Studies ID Variants Behind Blood-Related Traits 12/10/2009
GenomeWeb reports the identification of 22 new regions associated with blood cell traits. The study begins to uncover how basic ciological processes interact to influence health and disease. [press release]
27.08.09 We are all mutants: measurement of human mutation rate by direct sequencing
- BBC News Online We re all mutants, say scientists 02/09/2009
- San Francisco Chronicle Embrace your inner mutant 02/09/2009
- Cosmos Everyone is a mutant, experts say 03/09/2009
An international team led by the Sanger Institute successfully measures the general rate of mutation at individual DNA letters in humans. The team sequenced the sections from the Y chromosomes of two distant male-line relatives separated by 13 generations and found just four differences in their genetic code. [press release]
15.07.09 Genome sequencers crack Schistosoma mansoni genome
- BBC News Online Killer parasite s genes decoded 16/07/2009
- Business Weekly Sanger work brings treatment for infectious diseases closer 23/07/2009
- Cordis News Parasite genome sequences offer hope of new drugs 16/07/2009
A Sanger Institute led team decodes the genome of S. mansoni, the parasite which every year causes 200 million cases of schistosomiasis and 280,000 deaths in sub-Saharan Africa alone. Journalists report how the results have the potential to uncover new drug targets. [press release]
14.06.09 Knockout results for mouse genetics
- In Sciences Organisation Knockout results for mouse genetics New embryonic stem cells developed from prime mouse strain 14/06/2009
In Sciences reports the results of a collaboration including the Sanger Institute. The team have developed embryonic stem cells that are ideal for high-throughput genetic manipulation and will provide a foundation for two knockout programmes. [press release]
31.05.09 First testicular cancer risk genes found
- BBC News Online Testicular cancer genetic advance 31/05/2009
- Mail Online Scientists pinpoint faulty genes in new hope for testicular cancer test 01/06/2009
Journalists report research carried out in collaboration between the Institute of Cancer Research and the Sanger Institute. The team found three genetic variants that, in combination, can increase the risk of testicular cancer fourfold. [press release]
24.05.09 New tools to researchers in fight against malaria
- TheScientist.com New tool for African Genomes 24/05/2009
Because of higher levels of genetic diversity in Africa, genome-wide association studies for African populations can be difficult to complete. The Scientist reports on research that will allow more studies of genetic variants that lead to susceptibility to malaria in African populations. [press release]
19.04.09 X linked learning disabilities
- Times Online Research makes gene link to male learning difficulties 20/04/2009
- The Guardian Online Learning disability genes found 20/04/2009
The Times and the Guardian both report research led by the Sanger Institute that uncovers nine genes on the X chromosome that are implicated in learning difficulties in males. [press release]
12.04.09 MicroRNA gene that causes hearing loss
- The Wellcome Trust Researchers link microRNA gene to hearing loss 14/04/2009
- Softpedia MicroRNA Responsible for Progressive Hearing Loss 13/04/2009
- Miller-McCune Of hearing loss in mice and men 15/04/2009
These reports cover new findings in parallel studies in human and mouse. A team of researchers from the Sanger Institute and a team from the Hospital RamÃn y Cajal, Madrid, Spain, have come to the same conclusion: that a new kind of gene - a microRNA - is associated with progressive hearing loss. [press release]
27.03.09 Strangles and horse disease
- Horse and Hound Breakthrough in fight against strangles 27-Mar-09
Horse and Hound reports the sequencing of the Streptococcus equi pathogen, which devastates the horse world, causing strangles. [press release]
23.02.09 Warfarin dosing
- GenomeWeb Daily News Sanger-Led Team Publishes Results of Warfarin GWAS 20/03/2009
- US News: Health Genetics Should Decide Warfarin Dose, Study Reiterates 20/03/2009
These two reports detail how research led by the Sanger Institute could impact methods around Warfarin dosing. They detail how the ideal dose of the blood-thinning drug, Warfarin, is in part genetically determined. The research is a part of a move towards personalized medicine. [press release]
05.02.09 Superfluous genes?
- Genome Web Daily News Nonsense SNPs Quite Common in Human Genomes, Study Finds 05/02/2009
Genome Web Daily News reports the remarkable finding that one in 200 genes in the human body might be superfluous. The article is based on research from the Sanger Institute that finds single letter changes in the human genome that inactivate genes without any visible effect. [press release]
18.01.09 Heart disease mutation that strikes India
- The Guardian Heart disease gene affects one in 100 say scientists 18/01/2009
- Times Online Genetic mutation leaves South Asians vulnerable to heart disease 19/01/2009
- The Brunei Times Faulty gene condemns millions in India to heart disease 18/01/2009
- BBC News Online Asian heart disease gene found 19/01/2009
- The Telegraph Heart attack gene is carried by one in 100 people, say scientists 18/01/2009
Global media report research carried out in collaboration between the Sanger Institute and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad, India. The team discovered a mutation, a deletion of 25 letters of genetic code from the heart protein gene MYBPC3, which is virtually restricted to people from the Indian subcontinent. It was discovered some years ago, but its significance has now been revealed. [press release]
