Latest stories from the Sanger Institute February 2024

Tackling trypanosomiasis in cattle in sub-Saharan Africa

Three vaccine targets discovered by researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute focus on targeting animal trypanosomiasis in an effort to find a cure for a disease that causes billions in economic losses in one of the poorest regions on Earth. These losses fall heavily on small holders, who are often heavily dependent on animals for their livelihood. Read more…

First spatial map of human limb development reveals unexpected growth processes

Human fingers and toes do not grow outward; instead, they form from within a larger foundational bud, as intervening cells recede to reveal the digits beneath. This is among many processes captured for the first time as Sanger Institute scientists unveil a spatial cell atlas of the entire developing human limb, resolved in space and time.

The researchers applied cutting-edge single-cell and spatial technologies to create the atlas, characterising the cellular landscape of the early human limb. The atlas provides an openly available resource that captures the intricate processes governing the limbs’ rapid development, and ?uncovers new links between developmental cells and some congenital limb syndromes, such as short fingers and extra digits. Find out more...

Butterfly and moth genomes mostly unchanged despite 250 million years of evolution

New analysis by researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute reveals how butterfly and moth chromosomes have remained largely unchanged since their last common ancestor over 250 million years ago. This stability exists despite the incredible diversity seen today in wing patterns, sizes, and caterpillar forms across over 160,000 species globally. Their work reveals key insights into their biology, evolution and diversification over the millennia, as well as clues for conservation. Read more...

Pocket-sized DNA sequencers track malaria drug resistance in near real-time

A team of scientists from the University of Ghana and the Wellcome Sanger Institute have pioneered on-site genomic surveillance to track changes in the malaria parasite, achieving sampling to sequencing within 48 hours. This will guide local interventions and policy in near real-time. The team developed a technique to rapidly and reliably detect genetic changes in malaria parasites in rural, resource-limited malaria hotspots, using just a gaming laptop and portable MinION sequencer from Oxford Nanopore. They looked for key drug resistance markers in the malaria parasite, and diversity in the vaccine target gene.?Read more...

Unlocking Lupus

Meet Haerin Jang, a PhD student at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, working on the genetics of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE, or lupus). The exact causes of lupus are unknown, and complex, though researchers have uncovered many of the genes that play a role. Haerin aims to understand why there are such big differences between how different people are affected by the disease. The data and analyses from her work will be open for other researchers, through Open Targets, creating a valuable resource for new advances into understanding the condition. Haerin tells us about her work, the importance of eQTLs, and cake.?Read more...

Leading UK and South African genomics labs unite to take disease surveillance beyond COVID

The Genomic Surveillance Unit (Wellcome Sanger Institute) (GSU) and CERI - Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) have announced a new partnership to coordinate the genomic surveillance of infectious diseases globally.

This close relationship will allow teams in the UK and South Africa to share resources, coordinate strategies, and powerfully support partners in disease surveillance globally. Their ambitious international plans will allow scientists to monitor more pathogens in more places, including viruses carried by mosquitoes, water-borne diseases, respiratory viruses and other diseases with pandemic potential.?Read more...

Copyright (C) 2024 Wellcome Sanger Institute. All rights reserved.

For more stories from the Wellcome Sanger Institute visit: