U.S. rushes to fill void in viral sequencing as worrisome coronavirus variants spread (Links to an external site)

By Meredith Wadman Since May 2020, Jeffrey Milbrandt has had his systems fine-tuned to sequence 1000 coronavirus samples a week. The director of a major sequencing center at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), Milbrandt knew months ago that the United States urgently needed  to identify and track emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, the pandemic coronavirus already […]

Washington University pumps millions into Cortex building, as another rises nearby (Links to an external site)

Washington University is investing millions of dollars in a decades-old building near Cortex, helping boost occupancy there as another 11-story research development rises nearby. The university last summer completed renovations to the McDonnell Genome Institute and Genome Technology Access Center, both at 4444 Forest Park Ave. And more work, including a genome engineering center and […]

Photos: Washington U. School of Med. deploys COVID saliva testing (Links to an external site)

Washington University School of Medicine, using a $5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, has begun administering the COVID-19 saliva test it developed in the Special School District of St. Louis County in search of asymptomatic carriers among teachers initially. The test, which is reportedly 99% accurate, is distributed weekly on a voluntary […]

WUSTL-led Team Compiles Human Structural Variant Resource (Links to an external site)

“A team led by Washington University in St. Louis researchers has profiled rare and ultra-rare structural variants in nearly 18,000 high-coverage whole-genome sequences in an effort to fill in remaining gaps in the understanding of the larger variants that impact protein-coding and non-coding portions of the genome.”

$5 million supports research into neglected tropical diseases (Links to an external site)

“Led by Makedonka Mitreva, PhD, a professor of medicine and of genetics, both projects involve large-scale genome sequencing of the parasites to develop genetic tools to help monitor the infections’ spread and track resistance these parasites already have developed against drugs intended to eradicate them. “ https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/5-million-supports-research-into-neglected-tropical-diseases/

Kingdom Capital Collaborates with Washington University School of Medicine to Launch Augmented Intelligence Company PercayAI (Links to an external site)

– PercayAI, launched by Kingdom Capital, represents the investment firm’s commitment to cultivating new technologies that can help accelerate drug discovery and improve patient outcomes – Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will continue to develop technology that will be commercialized through PercayAI as part of an ongoing collaboration with Kingdom Capital

Academy of Science-St. Louis honors faculty (Links to an external site)

Dutcher received a 2019 George Engelmann Interdisciplinary Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in science, engineering or technology that results from collaboration among two or more individuals across disciplinary or institutional boundaries.

Quantum leap in parasite worm treatment research

Parasitic roundworms & flatworms (helminths) cause some of the most common yet neglected tropical infectious diseases affecting more than 1B people worldwide.

Genetic testing helps predict disease recurrence in myelodysplastic syndrome (Links to an external site)

A DNA-based analysis of blood cells soon after a stem cell transplant can predict likelihood of disease recurrence in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a group of cancerous disorders characterized by dysfunctional blood cells, according to new research at WU and MGI. Such a practice could help doctors identify patients at high risk of disease recurrence early after a transplant and help guide treatment decisions. The study is published Sept. 13 in The New England Journal of Medicine.

10X Genomics Hosts 2018 Symposium at WashU

10X Genomics had its first single cell user group meeting at Washington University on Tuesday August 28, 2018. The symposium took place at Eric P. Newman Center from 9-4 and was filled with speakers, software demonstrations, discussions, and networking. Ranging from various disciplines and departments, speakers from Washington University included Dr. Benjamin Humphreys (Renal), Dr. Allegra Petti […]

MGI Cohosts Upcoming 2018 PacBio Meeting September 19-20

The McDonnell Genome Institute is proudly collaborating with PacBio Sequencing to host its first user group meeting at Washington University on Wednesday September 19-20, 2018. The event will take place at the Eric P. Newman Center located on Washington University Medical School Campus. The event will offer the opportunity to explore new scientific content through […]

Analysis of prostate tumors reveals clues to aggressiveness (Links to an external site)

Using genetic sequencing, scientists have revealed the complete DNA makeup of more than 100 aggressive prostate tumors, pinpointing important genetic errors these deadly tumors have in common. The study lays the foundation for finding new ways to treat prostate cancer, particularly for the most aggressive forms of the disease.

Funded Pilot Project

The McDonnell Genome Institute at (MGI) has awarded 9 pilot project grants to support novel collaborations with WU investigators. A committee of 5 faculty members reviewed the 48 submissions from a variety of departments and awarded nine grants.  Luigi Adamo, Kory Lavine, Douglass Mann – Cardiology Characterization of myocardial B cells heterogeneity and clonal expansion […]