2017 Abstracts and Presentations from the Burkitt Lymphoma Genome Sequencing Project
In November 2017, an updated Introduction to the Burkitt Lymphoma Genome Sequencing Project (BLGSP) was presented at AORTIC's 11th International Conference on Cancer in Africa in Kigali, Rwanda on November 8th. An invitation to speak about the project was extended to Bruno Grande, a PhD Candidate in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Simon Fraser University and lead analyst for the BLGSP. One of the key points presented at the AORTIC Conference was the importance of performing paired whole genome sequencing on tumor and normal samples for African cases due to higher genetic variation in the African population. Furthermore, the data generated from sporadic BL tumors is superior in quality and quantity compared to previous studies. Altogether, Mr. Grande highlighted the incredible value of the BLGSP dataset and shared some preliminary findings. Following is a copy of the submitted Abstract and Presentation Slides.
One year after the Burkitt Lymphoma Genome Sequencing Project (BLGSP) was first unveiled in a poster at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in 2016, the BLGSP was once again featured at the prestigious ASH Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA, USA on December 9th, 2017. The submitted abstract was selected for a talk in the session entitled " Lymphoma—Genetic/Epigenetic Biology: Genomic characterization of lymphoma and beyond". The presentation was given by Bruno Grande, a PhD Candidate in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Simon Fraser University and lead analyst for the BLGSP. It highlighted previously uncharacterized genetic features of Burkitt lymphoma (BL), such as novel mutation patterns in both established BL genes and five new recurrently mutated genes. Mr. Grande also showed that classifying BL cases according to EBV infection status has a firmer basis in biology, resulting in more genetically distinct BL subtypes. Some of these findings may have ramifications for how BL is diagnosed and treated in the long run. Following is a copy of the submitted abstract and presentation slides.