Conexiant
Login
  • The Analytical Scientist
  • The Cannabis Scientist
  • The Medicine Maker
  • The Ophthalmologist
  • The Pathologist
  • The Traditional Scientist
The Pathologist
  • Explore Pathology

    Explore

    • Latest
    • Insights
    • Case Studies
    • Opinion & Personal Narratives
    • Research & Innovations
    • Product Profiles

    Featured Topics

    • Molecular Pathology
    • Infectious Disease
    • Digital Pathology

    Issues

    • Latest Issue
    • Archive
  • Subspecialties
    • Oncology
    • Histology
    • Cytology
    • Hematology
    • Endocrinology
    • Neurology
    • Microbiology & Immunology
    • Forensics
    • Pathologists' Assistants
  • Training & Education

    Career Development

    • Professional Development
    • Career Pathways
    • Workforce Trends

    Educational Resources

    • Guidelines & Recommendations
    • App Notes

    Events

    • Webinars
    • Live Events
  • Events
    • Live Events
    • Webinars
  • Profiles & Community

    People & Profiles

    • Power List
    • Voices in the Community
    • Authors & Contributors
  • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • Pathology Captures
Subscribe
Subscribe

False

The Pathologist / Issues / 2023 / Jul / Research Roundup (2)
Oncology Oncology Genetics and epigenetics

Research Roundup

From elephant anti-cancer genes to epigenetic drivers of CRC metastasis, we bring you the latest updates

By Georgia Hulme 07/13/2023 News 1 min read

Share

Demystifying MS
 

A genome-wide association study has identified rs10191329 – located between the genes DYSF and ZNF638 – as a risk allele associated with multiple sclerosis severity. Researchers found that individuals that inherit this variant from both parents have a high chance of needing a walking aid 3.7 years before non-carriers (1).

Flipping the script
 

A new study has uncovered 16 new risk loci associated with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). The results showed that the genetic regulation of IgA production is the key pathogenic pathway in IgAN. This finding confirmed a previous hypothesis that IgAN actually starts outside of the kidney; researchers hope this new information will help contribute to new treatments for the disease (2).

Credit: Image sourced from Unsplash.com

Clearing the path
 

How does Optineurin (Opt) – an autophagy receptor – remove damaged mitochondria from the brain? Well, the long-standing question has finally been answered by researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. The team discovered that Opt uses kinase TBK1 to initiate PINK1/Parkin mitophagy, revealing an unconventional pathway of selective autophagy (3).

CRC signature
 

Diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC) before it metastasizes is crucial for increasing a patient’s chance of survival. Now, after performing a whole genome-scale DNA methylation and full transcriptome analyses of primary colon tumors and liver metastases from CRC patients, researchers have discovered a new subset of loci that could be epigenetic drivers of CRC metastasis – a potential sign that cancer cells use specific methylation patterns to become more aggressive (4).

Don’t drop the balls
 

Elephants rarely get cancer. Why? A study has hypothesized that excessive copies of the tumor suppressor gene, TP53, is actually a result of protecting their temperature-sensitive sperm. TP53 is an active participant in germline cell division, and an elephant’s testicles do not descend because, at high temperatures, the possibility of DNA mutation is increased (5).

Newsletters

Receive the latest analytical scientist news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup Image

References

  1. A Harroud et al., Nature, [Online ahead of print] (2023). PMID: 37380766
  2. K Kiryluk et al, Nat Genet, [Online ahead of print] (2023). PMID: 37337107
  3. T N Nguyen et al., Mol Cell, 86, 1693 (2023). PMID: 37207627
  4. E J Rodger et al., iScience, 26 (2023). PMID: 37378317
  5. F Vollrath, Trends Ecol Evol (2023). PMID: 37385845

About the Author(s)

Georgia Hulme

Associate Editor for the Pathologist

More Articles by Georgia Hulme

Explore More in Analytical Science

Dive deeper into the analytical science. Explore the latest articles, case studies, expert insights, and groundbreaking research.

False

Advertisement

Recommended

False

False

The Pathologist
Subscribe

About

  • About Us
  • Work at Conexiant Europe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Texere Publishing Limited (trading as Conexiant), with registered number 08113419 whose registered office is at Booths No. 1, Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, England, WA16 8GS.