Markers in iPSC quality control – a new approach to enhance standardization

“Machine learning is an attractive tool to streamline processes”

12-Nov-2024 - Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have a great potential for scientific and medical applications. They are used in research laboratories to model human diseases, helping to uncover underlying mechanisms and developing new therapies. Additionally, they are being tested in clinical ...

Rapid genome analysis of a Whippet sighthound sets new standard for biodiversity research

“We are demonstrating that we can obtain and analyse complete genome information in a matter of days – not months”

24-Oct-2024 - The continuing global loss of biodiversity is making it increasingly necessary to rapidly collect and analyse genetic information on endangered species. In a joint project, the Department of Human Genetics at Bioscientia Institute for Medical Diagnostics GmbH in Ingelheim am Rhein and the LOEWE ...

Drug discovery within the patient

Genetic analysis of bacteria from humans and animals paves the way for new active ingredients

21-Oct-2024 - Microorganisms do not just colonize the body of mammals during infections. Billions of microbes can be found on and in healthy humans and animals at any given time, communicating with each other via chemical signals and thus influencing their health. In two studies, researchers from the Helmholtz ...

Quality standards for looking into the tumor genome

First a letter salad, then a book

24-Sep-2024 - Personalized medicine with individually tailored therapies is becoming more and more a reality in cancer. This requires a precise look into the genetic material of tumors, a molecular diagnostic tumor profile. A research group from the German Network for Personalized Medicine (DNPM) has recorded ...

Scientists from 33 European countries join forces to generate reference genomes for the continent's rich biological diversity

19-Sep-2024 - The European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) pilot project reports its success in uniting scientists from across Europe to produce high-quality reference genomes for 98 species. This marks a significant milestone in the quest to create a high-quality reference genome database for all European ...

How to live 400 years

Genome of the longest-lived vertebrate decoded: It is huge and has special repair capabilities

12-Sep-2024 - The Greenland Shark (Somniosus microcephalus), an elusive dweller of the depths of the northern Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean, is the world’s longest-living vertebrate, with an estimated lifespan of about 400 years. An international team of scientists has mapped the Greenland Shark’s genome for ...

Blueprint for blueberry improvement: genetic and epigenetic discoveries

13-Aug-2024 - Recent research has uncovered significant genetic and epigenetic variations in blueberry cultivars, particularly between northern highbush (NHB) and southern highbush (SHB) blueberries. The study highlights gene introgression's role in SHB's adaptation to subtropical climates and identifies key ...

Rare genetic diseases can sometimes be recognized by the face

Large multicenter study identifies 34 new genetic diseases

23-Jul-2024 - The majority of rare diseases have a genetic cause. The underlying genetic alteration can be found more and more easily, for example by means of exome sequencing (ES), leading to a molecular genetic diagnosis. ES is an examination of all sections of our genetic material (DNA) that code for ...

A vast viral world in wastewater

How metagenomic sequencing helps to understand the spread of viruses

22-Jul-2024 - Deep metagenomic sequencing of wastewater in Berlin over 17 months shows this technique could help forecast disease outbreaks and monitor the spread of human pathogens. It can also reveal thousands of novel viruses, according to a study by the Landthaler lab published in “Environment ...

Pathogen identification — next-generation sequencing optimizes diagnostics

Novel method takes inspiration from law enforcement

17-Jun-2024 - Invasive infections such as sepsis require immediate and targeted treatment. Experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB and group partners have succeeded in establishing a reconceptualized detection principle that can make a crucial contribution to ...