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Articles by Eleanor Lynam
Genome damage makes people slightly less likely to have children
Genome damage makes people slightly less likely to have children 28 March 2022 Appeared in BioNews 1138 A damaged genome may contribute to reduced reproduction in some people, recent evidence suggests. Professor Matthew Hurles, head of human genetics at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and colleagues, suggested that increased childlessness is an evolutionary process that removes genome damaging genetic variants from the population.
Whole Genome Sequencing at Birth: Consenting Adults, Sequencing Babies
Whole Genome Sequencing at Birth: Consenting Adults, Sequencing Babies 10 January 2022 Appeared in BioNews 1127 The Progress Educational Trust (PET)'s last event of 2021 continued its series of discussions about sequencing the genomes of newborn babies. A pilot project, the Newborn Genomes Programme, is planned as a collaboration between the NHS and Genomics England to gather evidence about whether this approach could be beneficial.
Whole genome sequencing useful for diagnosing mitochondrial disorders
Whole genome sequencing useful for diagnosing mitochondrial disorders 8 November 2021 Appeared in BioNews 1120 Whole genome sequencing (WGS) can facilitate faster and more accurate diagnoses of rare mitochondrial disorders, new research has revealed. Mitochondrial disorders can be very diverse in how they present in patients, and as such are easily mistaken for other conditions.
Podcast Review: #GenomicsConversation 2021 - It's complicated! or is it?
Podcast Review: #GenomicsConversation 2021 – It's complicated! or is it? 27 September 2021 Appeared in BioNews 1114 'It's Complicated! Or is it?' – this is the notion that Dr Michelle Bishop, Amelia McPherson and Dr Ed Miller from the Genomic Education Programme team, a part of Health Education England, are aiming to challenge in this podcast. It is aimed at midwives, nurses and health visitors who have likely been, and will continue to be, questioned about genomics by patients in their practice.
Book Review: Fertility Issues
Book Review: Fertility Issues 13 September 2021 Appeared in BioNews 1112 Fertility Issues is one of a series of educational booklets from Independence Educational Publishers, aimed at children aged over 11 in key stages 3 (KS3), 4, and above, which aims to present and explore contemporary social issues in an unbiased way. Previous volumes have focused on issues such as poverty, animal rights, and the censorship debate, among others.
Book Review: Robo-Babies
Book Review: Robo-Babies 6 September 2021 Appeared in BioNews 1111 When my wife and I found out we were going to become mums to twin girls, one of our first conversations was about how we would teach them about the miracle of life. As every family is different, we tossed and turned over how much information to share with our children, and when.
Nationwide UK public dialogue supports whole genome sequencing in newborns
Nationwide UK public dialogue supports whole genome sequencing in newborns 12 July 2021 Appeared in BioNews 1103 Members of the UK public are largely supportive of the use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in newborn screening, according to a national public dialogue. Currently, newborns are tested at day five, via heel prick or 'blood spot' tests, for nine serious, but treatable, genetic conditions include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and certain metabolic disorders.
Podcast Review: Humanity's Awesome, Terrifying Take-Over of Evolution
Podcast Review: Humanity's Awesome, Terrifying Take-Over of Evolution 10 May 2021 Appeared in BioNews 1094 This is something of a meta-review, it would seem, as the podcast I'm reviewing here is purportedly a review of a book.
Event Review: Spotlight on CRISPR
Event Review: Spotlight on CRISPR 22 March 2021 Appeared in BioNews 1088 As part of the 'Spotlight on….' series, the MIT Technology Review recently focused their attention on the genome editing 'super tool' CRISPR. An online panel gathered to discuss the current status of CRISPR research, the potential uses of CRISPR and the ethical issues that are raised by genome editing. The 'Spotlight on: CRISPR' event was hosted by Antonio Regalado, a journalist for the MIT Technology Review.
FILM: The COVID Vaccine - A Shot in the Arm for Fertility Treatment?
FILM: The COVID Vaccine – A Shot in the Arm for Fertility Treatment? 22 February 2021 Appeared in BioNews 1084 This film documents the Progress Educational Trust event 'The COVID Vaccine: A Shot in the Arm for Fertility Treatment?'. The event explores guidance and thinking on whether and when COVID vaccination is advisable, in the context of assisted conception and in relation to conception and pregnancy more generally.
TALENs outperforms CRISPR/Cas9 in editing compact DNA
TALENs outperforms CRISPR/Cas9 in editing compact DNA 1 February 2021 Appeared in BioNews 1081 Researchers comparing different methods of genome editing have found that in some contexts, TALENs work more efficiently than CRISPR/Cas9. Within the cell, DNA is packaged into a structure known as chromatin, which can be divided into euchromatin and heterochromatin. The former consists of accessible 'open' DNA, and the latter of compact 'closed' DNA.
UK offers genomic expertise to identify new COVID strains worldwide
UK offers genomic expertise to identify new COVID strains worldwide 1 February 2021 Appeared in BioNews 1081 The UK has offered to use its world-leading expertise in genomics to aid countries that lack the resources to identify evolving variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The initiative has been called the New Variant Assessment Platform and will be used to help the UK to find and protect itself from variants of the virus that could prolong the pandemic.
Epigenetic clock gives insight into brain ageing and dementia
Epigenetic clock gives insight into brain ageing and dementia 9 November 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1071 A novel body clock has been developed which can predict our brain's age and how prone we are to dementia. Understanding this biological clock will help scientists explain the mechanisms of ageing and how diseases, such as dementia, develop. Age-related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, may affect people of relatively young chronological age if their brains biologically age faster.
A Nobel for CRISPR genome editing - and for women scientists
A Nobel for CRISPR genome editing – and for women scientists 2 November 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1070 The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Professor Emmanuelle Charpentier and Professor Jennifer Doudna 'for the development of a method of genome editing' known as CRISPR (see BioNews 1067).
Powerful new CRISPR approach allows larger genome edits
Powerful new CRISPR approach allows larger genome edits 26 October 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1069 Researchers in the US have developed a new CRISPR genome editing approach for making much larger edits to the genome. The newly identified CRISPR/Cas3 system is similar to pre-existing CRISPR/Cas9 system, but can make larger and more reliable changes to DNA. The discovery has potentially vast implications for genome editing applications, such as gene therapy and genetic engineering in agriculture.
CRISPR genome editing pioneers win Nobel prize in chemistry
CRISPR genome editing pioneers win Nobel prize in chemistry 12 October 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1067 Professors Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their development of CRISPR genome editing. The approach devised by the pair allows researchers to alter the DNA within cells with record accuracy, using molecules that evolved in bacteria as a defence against viruses.
A pathway to nowhere? A critique of the National Academy of Sciences report on genome editing
A pathway to nowhere? A critique of the National Academy of Sciences report on genome editing 12 October 2020 By Dr Christopher Gyngell Research Fellow in Biomedical Ethics, University of Melbourne/Murdoch Children's Research Institute Appeared in BioNews 1067 The transformative impact of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing was recognised last week, with the Nobel Prize being awarded to its founders Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier.
Coronavirus may infect embryos early in pregnancy
Coronavirus may infect embryos early in pregnancy 10 August 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1059 New evidence suggests that embryos may be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, the virus responsible for COVID-19. A recent study from researchers at the University of Cambridge and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) found that the genes thought to be responsible for SARS-CoV-2 virus entry to cells are present in embryos as early as 13 days post-fertilisation.
COVID-19 and infertility: thoughts, feelings and coping with clinic closure
COVID-19 and infertility: thoughts, feelings and coping with clinic closure 10 August 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1059 The COVID-19 pandemic caused fertility clinic closures worldwide. Closures were often abrupt, meaning patients were unable to access treatment and, depending on timing, cycles in progress were abandoned or converted to freeze all, which involves freezing all embryos in an IVF cycle without a fresh embryo transfer.
HFEA publishes 2018 trends in fertility treatment
HFEA publishes 2018 trends in fertility treatment 6 July 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1054 The Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has published its latest analysis on trends in fertility treatment, based on data from across the UK in 2018. Headline findings include an increase in IVF success rates, a surge in egg and embryo freezing, and a decrease in NHS funding for fertility treatments.
Coronavirus DNA could spread across hospital ward within ten hours
Coronavirus DNA could spread across hospital ward within ten hours 15 June 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1051 Viral DNA that models the coronavirus was present on nearly half of all ward sample sites after just ten hours in a simulation study. Following placement of a sample of viral DNA on a bed rail, 48 percent of locations sampled across a hospital ward had viral DNA present after ten hours.
Epigenetic changes linked to biological age
Epigenetic changes linked to biological age 24 February 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1036 Researchers at the University of Southern California report that a person's body-age can deviate from their chronological age by over 40 years.
UK Government adviser resigns over eugenics remarks
UK Government adviser resigns over eugenics remarks 24 February 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1036 A recently appointed adviser to the UK government, Andrew Sabisky, has resigned following widespread criticism of his views on topics including genetics and reproduction. The episode has also led to the government's chief special adviser, Dominic Cummings, being criticised for Sabisky's appointment.
FILM: Health and Genomics - What's the Score with Polygenic Scores?
FILM: Health and Genomics - What's the Score with Polygenic Scores? 17 February 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1035 This film documents the debate 'Health and Genomics: What's the Score with Polygenic Scores?', held at Battle of Ideas festival. The debate was produced and chaired by Sandy Starr, deputy director of the Progress Educational Trust (the charity that publishes BioNews).
Hungary to provide free fertility treatment to boost population
Hungary to provide free fertility treatment to boost population 20 January 2020 Appeared in BioNews 1031 Hungary will be providing free IVF to couples to combat the country's declining birth rate, announced the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban. Hungary's population has been progressively declining for four decades and last month the government acquired six fertility clinics. The falling birth rate within Hungary is one of the key issues the current government wants to tackle.
Podcast review: 'Designer Genes', Babbage (The Economist)
Podcast review: 'Designer Genes', Babbage (The Economist) 2 December 2019 Appeared in BioNews 1026 When we think of designer babies, we may think of genome-edited babies with their DNA cut and spliced, perhaps using CRISPR. But in fact 'a less intrusive technology already exists, which does something similar.' That technology is genetic screening. The issue was recently considered in Babbage – The Economist's weekly Science and Technology podcast, which is available on SoundCloud.
Fertility treatment - not age, may change epigenetics in offspring
Fertility treatment - not age, may change epigenetics in offspring 2 December 2019 Appeared in BioNews 1026 Fertility treatments rather than increased maternal age may alter gene expression in offspring, suggests a study in mice. It had been shown that the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) can increase the risk of epigenetic diseases by up to 11-fold in offspring.
Genetic screening embryos may not lead to smarter babies
Genetic screening embryos may not lead to smarter babies 25 November 2019 Appeared in BioNews 1025 'Designer babies' selected for IVF on the basis of genetic combinations for intelligence or height are unlikely to become reality, according to a recent study.
UN call to stop criminalisation of surrogates in Cambodia
UN call to stop criminalisation of surrogates in Cambodia 18 November 2019 Appeared in BioNews 1024 The UN has called on Cambodia to repeal the criminalisation of surrogates. Cambodia outlawed commercial surrogacy in 2016, following similar bans in India, Nepal and Thailand (see BioNews 915). Last year 30 pregnant surrogates were imprisoned for 'cross-border human trafficking' because they were carrying children for, predominantly Chinese, intended parents.
E-CRISPR could be used to rapidly detect viruses
E-CRISPR could be used to rapidly detect viruses 18 November 2019 Appeared in BioNews 1024 Researchers claim that CRISPR could be used to detect dangerous viruses in a drop of blood within an hour. The team at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, harnessed CRISPR's precision to identify and quantify viruses in human samples, including serum from blood.
Study suggests 'gene drain' from Britain's industrial areas
Study suggests 'gene drain' from Britain's industrial areas 28 October 2019 Appeared in BioNews 1021 A new study suggests a 'gene drain' linked to social migration in Great Britain, where people with a genetic predisposition for higher educational attainment are more likely to leave former industrial regions and live in wealthier areas.
Brain waves detected in lab-grown mini-brains for first time
Brain waves detected in lab-grown mini-brains for first time 2 September 2019 Appeared in BioNews 1013 Human mini-brains grown from stem cells in the lab, have shown electrical activity on a par with that of premature, newborn baby brains. Researchers said that the electrical patterns generated by their nine-month-old 'brains-in-a-dish' were similar to that of readings taken from premature babes. This is the first time such activity has been recorded in a lab model.
Exercise more beneficial for those with higher genetic risk of obesity
Exercise more beneficial for those with higher genetic risk of obesity 5 August 2019 Appeared in BioNews 1009 A study examining the interaction between individuals' genetics and 18 types of exercise has found that certain physical activities could reduce the genetic effects that cause obesity. Researchers at Taiwan University examined 18,424 unrelated Han Chinese adults between 30 to 70 years old who participated in the Taiwan Biobank (TWB).
Event Review: How to Grow a Human
Event Review: How to Grow a Human 17 June 2019 Appeared in BioNews 1002 What does it mean to be human? It's not a question I'd given much thought until hearing science writer Philip Ball's talk on 'How to Grow a Human'. It was a warm May evening in an auditorium at the Royal Institution in London. The lights dimmed and a fluorescent web-like image emerged on the screen.
CRISPR base-editing linked to off-target effects
CRISPR base-editing linked to off-target effects 4 March 2019 Appeared in BioNews 989 Two new studies suggest that a form of CRISPR base editing is more error-prone than previously thought. The results of the studies published in the journal Science – which examined base editing methods in mouse embryos and rice – could have implications for the therapeutic potential of this form of genome editing.
Human placenta organoids grown outside womb
3 December 2018 Scientists have produced elaborate placenta-like organoids in a dish, which may aid in the research of pregnancy disorders. The results, published in the journal Nature, reveal that these organoids, created from cells derived from placental tissue, are able to produce placental-specific hormones and proteins. The hormones produced by these organoids have even been shown to test positive in over-the-counter pregnancy tests.
Irish hospital reviews its cancer test reports after error in case
26 November 2018 A hospital in Ireland has been reviewing hundreds of test reports for the BRCA gene after a woman was incorrectly told she was not at a heightened risk of cancer. Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, is undertaking a review of its BRCA test reports. On Friday, the hospital said that it had completed its review of its 335 positive test reports.
Fertility rate halves across world
The number of children born per woman has halved globally since 1950, according to a study published in The Lancet. Researchers found that although the global population has roughly tripled from 2.6 billion to 7.6 billion, the fertility rate has dropped from 4.7 live births per woman in 1950 to 2.4 in 2017.
Study suggests 96 percent of people 'immune' to CRISPR/Cas9
The genome editing approach, CRISPR/Cas9, may not be as successful in humans as hoped. A study published in Nature Medicine highlights that the human immune system may be able to recognise fragments of the Cas9 enzyme, causing the destruction of cells that have been subjected to genome editing. 'The Cas9 protein, which is derived from Streptococcus bacteria, forms an integral part of the CRISPR/Cas9 system.
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