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Hot Topics of the Day|PHGKB
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11/07/2019

Hot Topics of the Day are picked by experts to capture the latest information and publications on public health genomics and precision health for various diseases and health topics. Sources include published scientific literature, reviews, blogs and popular press articles.

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Archived Hot Topics of the Day By Date

Doctors try CRISPR gene editing for cancer, a 1st in the US
M Marchione, Washington Post, November 6, 2019

CRISPR Approach To Fighting Cancer Called 'Promising' In 1st Safety Test
R Stein, NPR, November 6, 2019

Crispr Takes Its First Steps in Editing Genes to Fight Cancer
D Grady, NY Times, November 6, 2019

Doctors have for the first time in the United States tested a powerful gene-editing technique in people with cancer. The test, meant to assess only safety, was a step toward the ultimate goal of editing genes to help a patient’s own immune system to attack cancer. The editing was done by the DNA-snipping tool Crispr.

Genome-Wide Association Studies
X Guo et al, JAMA, November 5, 2019

GWAS take advantage of variation in the millions of known SNPs, occurring in known locations across the entire genome, to determine whether one genetic variant (ie, allele) at the location of each SNP occurs more often than expected in individuals with a particular disease than in those without the disease.

High-resolution mapping of tuberculosis transmission: Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic modelling of a cohort from Valencia Region, Spain.
Xu Yuanwei et al. PLoS medicine 2019 Oct (10) e1002961

Overall, we show that a transition to individual-based genomic epidemiology will likely close some of the knowledge gaps in TB transmission and may redirect efforts towards cost-effective contact investigations for improved TB control.

Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing for Geolocation-Centric Monitoring and Characterization of Opioid-Related Social Media Chatter
A Sarker et al, JAMA Network Open, November 6, 2019

In this cross-sectional, population-based study of 9006 social media posts, automatic processing of social media data, combined with geospatial and temporal information, may provide close to real-time insights into the status and trajectory of the opioid epidemic.

2020 Question (Ancestry Testing)
ASHG, November 2019

Ancestry testing is a form of direct-to-consumer genetic testing designed to inform customers about their genetic ancestry. If a person did ancestry tests, what types of information could they learn about their genetic ancestry and how does this genetic ancestry information compare and contrast with their cultural heritage.

GPs are advised to ignore genetic test results that have no clinical basis
E Mahase, BMJ, November 2019

GPs should “not take at face value, or attempt to interpret” reports from direct to consumer genetic tests, according to the Royal College of General Practitioners. The college warned that there is a “very high chance of false positive or false negative results” from DTC genetic tests and “significant costs in confirming (or more often refuting)” the results.

Position Statement on Direct to Consumer Genetic Testing
Royal College of General Practitioners, November 2019


Disclaimer: Articles listed in Hot Topics of the Day are selected by Public Health Genomics Branch to provide current awareness of the scientific literature and news. Inclusion in the update does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nor does it imply endorsement of the article's methods or findings. CDC and DHHS assume no responsibility for the factual accuracy of the items presented. The selection, omission, or content of items does not imply any endorsement or other position taken by CDC or DHHS. Opinion, findings and conclusions expressed by the original authors of items included in the Clips, or persons quoted therein, are strictly their own and are in no way meant to represent the opinion or views of CDC or DHHS. References to publications, news sources, and non-CDC Websites are provided solely for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by CDC or DHHS.
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