The adaptive immune system’s ability to recognize and neutralize a vast array of pathogens relies on the diversity of its lymphocyte repertoire. T and B lymphocytes, with their unique T cell receptors (TCRs) and B cell receptors (BCRs), are crucial for immunological memory and effective immune responses. This diversity allows the immune system to identify and combat a broad range of pathogens. Studying immune repertoire diversity offers valuable insights into disease mechanisms, therapeutic strategies, and vaccine development. The post Immune repertoire diversity: Key to understanding disease ..read more

Illumina’s TSO 500 empowers comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP), unlocking crucial tumor biomarkers to drive precision medicine. By focusing on clinically relevant genomic regions, CGP provides in-depth analysis, accurately detects low-frequency mutations, and comprehensively characterizes tumors. This facilitates tailored treatment approaches, guiding therapy selection based on specific molecular profiles. Moreover, CGP enables non-invasive disease monitoring through circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis. The post Comprehensive cancer profiling with Illumina’s TSO 500 assay appeared first ..read more

Single-cell sequencing offers unprecedented resolution for analyzing the unique molecular signatures of individual cells. By deconstructing the cellular landscape, it reveals hidden cell populations, tracks how cells differentiate, and identifies disease biomarkers. By dissecting the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic landscape of single cells, researchers can now gain a deeper understanding of complex biological processes, disease mechanisms, and how patients respond to treatments. This method is essential for both basic and clinical research for unlocking the mysteries of cellular compl ..read more

By Michelle Vierra Balakrishnan Short-read sequencing technologies have, without a doubt, revolutionized genomics. The ability to look at genetic variants at the base pair level and compare gene expression levels between normal and other conditions has made it possible to diagnose more diseases, develop more robust crops, and protect the biodiversity here on Earth. However, short reads are inherently limited and often fall short in fully characterizing complex genomes and transcriptomes. Short reads struggle to resolve repetitive regions, assemble complex structural variants, and fully captur ..read more

By Michelle Vierra Balakrishnan Spatial analysis has become an indispensable tool in unraveling the complexities of biological systems. From understanding gene function to dissecting tissue microenvironments, spatial data holds the key to unlocking valuable insights into biological processes. However, harnessing the full potential of spatial data requires not only sophisticated analytical techniques but also considerable computational resources and expertise. Standard spatial analysis At the heart of spatial analysis lies the extraction of meaningful information from spatially resolved transc ..read more

By MedGenome Scientific Affairs Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US. One in five Americans have the likelihood of developing skin cancer by the age of 70. Some common manifestations of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Research suggests over 5 million cases of skin cancer occur annually in the US alone. Non-melanoma skin cancers (BCC and SCC) are the most common, followed by melanoma, the more aggressive form. Other types of skin cancer include Merkel cell cancer, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Kaposi sarcoma, skin adne ..read more

By MedGenome Scientific Affairs Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks among the most prevalent cancers worldwide. In the United States, it is estimated that 58,450 new cases will be diagnosed in 2024, primarily affecting the oral cavity and pharynx1. Incidence rates among males are highest in non-Hispanic White and American Indian/Alaska Native individuals, with lower rates observed in Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander populations. Among females, incidence rates are elevated in non-Hispanic White and Asian/Pacific Islander individuals, while being lowest in Hispanic and Black ..read more

By MedGenome Scientific Affairs Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) stands as the third most prevalent cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. It is projected that in 2024, there will be around 106,590 new cases of colon cancer and 46,220 new cases of rectal cancer. CRC incidence is notably higher among African Americans and lowest in Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders. The five-year relative survival rate for localized CRC is estimated to be 91%, contrasting with a 14% rate for metastatic disease. Mortality rates among older adults have seen a decline in rece ..read more

By MedGenome Scientific Affairs National Cancer Prevention Month is observed in the month of February every year, with an objective to raise awareness and promote initiatives to prevent cancer. Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death in the United States (US). Despite government-led cancer education initiatives, the battle against this disease remains complex, with variations in cancer risk persisting among different ethnic groups due to genetic predispositions and disparities in healthcare access. The incidence of different cancer types varies among population groups, influencing ..read more

By MedGenome Scientific Affairs Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a powerful method that is widely used in biomedical research. It is extensively used to determine cell composition of complex tissues, identify rare cell types, map heterogeneity at single cell level and identify paired, full-length immunoglobulin sequence and T-cell receptor α/β. Advancements in high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing technologies, in combination with powerful computational tools, has made scRNA-seq a widely used technology across a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas such as oncology, immunology ..read more