Project description
Long-read sequencing to identify the genetic cause of a tumour syndrome
PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS) is a genetic disease with a high risk of developing cancer. PHTS is associated with the presence of pathogenic variants in PTEN, but for most patients suspected of PHTS, no variant is found. Low diagnosis rate is probably due to the inability to detect variants with current methods or pathogenic variants in other genes than PTEN. The EU-funded RESEMBLE project will develop a long-read sequencing (LRS) approach, instead of the usual short-read sequencing, to screen these PHTS-like patients. The team will perform targeted LRS of PTEN in PHTS-like families as well as whole-genome LRS to identify potential new genes involved in PHTS. This approach will increase genetic diagnoses, allowing a personalised care approach for these patients.
Objective
Individuals with a genetic tumour risk syndrome are at high risk to develop cancer. One of these syndromes is PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS). PHTS is associated with pathogenic variants (PVs) in the PTEN gene. Unfortunately, in the majority of patients suspected of PHTS no PV in PTEN is identified. These patients are considered PHTS-like. The low diagnosis rate in this group of patients suggests the possibility of PVs in regions of PTEN that are not covered in routine diagnostics or suggests that PVs in other genes in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway result in PHTS-like disease. In order to identify the missing heritability in PHTS I aim to develop a long-read sequencing (LRS) approach for PHTS-like patients, which will go beyond the currently state-of-the-art short-read sequencing approaches. I will O1) develop a PTEN-targeted LRS assay and O2) perform this assay on a highly selective cohort of PHTS-like families (n=94). I then will O3) perform whole genome LRS on 25 families that were not solved by targeted LRS to identify novel gene-disease associations. At last, I will O4) validate these new associations in a wider cohort.
Via this work, I will improve the diagnostic yield for PHTS by identifying novel genetic mechanisms and genes underlying disease in PHTS-like patients. The unique interdisciplinary structure of the Department of Human Genetics at Radboudumc will allow to rapidly implement genetic testing for the newly identified genetic causes for PHTS. Identification of the precise underlying cause of PHTS will enable cascade genetic testing of at-risk family members to determine their status for the causal variant and thus, risk of disease to them and any future off-spring. Furthermore, this approach will allow the implementation of preventive care strategies for the family members at risk. Overall, my proposal will facilitate a personalized care approach for PHTS(-like) patients and their families for improved clinical outcomes and reduced disease morbidity
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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6525 GA Nijmegen
Netherlands
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