World’s largest chimeric gene database promises personalized cancer therapies microbiologystudy

A new study conducted at the Scojen Institute for Synthetic Biology at Reichman University’s Dina Recanati School of Medicine announces the launch of the ChiTaRS 8.0 database, the world’s largest collection of chimeric genes (gene fusions) found in humans with cancer and other chronic diseases.

The project, led by Dr. Milana Frenkel-Morgenstern, head of the Genomics and Computational Biology Lab, together with doctoral students Dylan D’Souza and Olwumi Giwa of the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine at Bar-Ilan University, marks a significant step in advancing the understanding of chimeric genes and supporting scientists and clinicians in their pursuit to develop more effective and personalized cancer treatments. The paper is published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research.

Gene fusions, which occur when segments of different genes combine, are a genetic phenomenon with a major impact on the development of cancerous tumors. These changes sometimes produce abnormal proteins, which are important indicators for disease diagnosis and potential targets for the development of new drugs. The ChiTaRS 8.0 database contains over 47,000 RNA transcripts and more than 100,000 chimeric sequences identified in humans.

The database integrates with a “digital hospital” model, which allows for real-time updates and the incorporation of new clinical data. This functionality offers doctors a unique tool for designing personalized treatments for cancer patients based on their genetic profile.

Furthermore, ChiTaRS 8.0 is a groundbreaking tool for developing new drugs; integrating data from the DGIdb database enables the study of compatibility of fusion proteins with existing treatments, such as protein inhibitors targeting cancer-promoting proteins in the human body.

Director of the Scojen Institute for Synthetic Biology at Reichman University, Prof. Yosi Shaham-Diamand explains, “The database was also developed as a tool for predicting tumor responsiveness to treatments, which can improve treatment success and minimize side effects. In addition to its contribution to global research, ChiTaRS 8.0 is designed to foster collaboration between researchers and institutions around the world, with plans to incorporate complex data sets and artificial intelligence capabilities in the future.”

Dr. Frenkel-Morgenstern says, “This database marks a significant step forward in understanding and treating cancer. It serves as a dynamic research tool designed to change the face of cancer diagnosis and treatment. We plan to add relevant information on FDA-approved drugs that can bind chimeric proteins, as well as on chimeric gene expression levels to develop tailored biomarkers for precision medicine.”