Exploring the landscape of somatic mutations in human tissue
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the landscape of somatic mutations in human tissue
IRAS ID
248671
Contact name
Mike Stratton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Wellcome Sanger Institute
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
Every cell in the human body contains a blueprint of the body called the genome. Throughout life, the genome can become damaged resulting in errors (mutations) that can change the way cells behave and may result in diseases such as cancer. Examining the mutations found the genome of both normal (non-cancerous) and diseased cells can give a valuable insight into the very earliest stages of cancer development.
Comparing the number and type of mutations in different normal tissues is revealing new insights, helping us to better understand more about why cancer develops.Our group is now seeking to characterise somatic mutations found in normal human tissue, as well as diseased tissue. These experiments have shown that a number of mutational processes previously observed in cancer cells, may also be present in normal tissues. By further exploring normal tissue samples from across the body, we will be able to better understand why certain organs are more susceptible to mutations and what underlies the mutational processes active in many different tissue types.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
18/ES/0133
Date of REC Opinion
26 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion