PNAS November, 2022 by Olimpia Alessandra Buoninfante et al.
Mammalian life depends on two distinct pathways of DNA damage tolerance

The team applied SORT-seq on mouse embryos to investigate how DNA damage toleration (DDT) deficiency affected the hematopoietic stem cell subset in the so-called LSK compartment. Ultimately, DDT deficiency results in DNA damage accumulation and depletion of hematopoietic stem cells. Meanwhile, it promotes the survival of cells expressing erythroid transcription factor KLF1. These insights indicate a novel molecular mechanism that regulates hematopoietic output in response to DNA damage.

PNAS December, 2021 by Jelte van der Vaart et al.
Adult mouse and human organoids derived from thyroid follicular cells and modeling of Graves’ hyperthyroidism

This study describes an organoid-based model system to study mouse and human thyroid biology. SORT-seq and transmission electron microscopy confirmed that thyroid follicular cell organoids phenocopy primary thyroid tissue. Moreover, the study explores the potential of human organoids for modeling an autoimmune disease, the anti-TSH receptor antibody-driven Graves’ hyperthyroidism.

PNAS November, 2021 by Georg A. Busslinger et al.
Molecular characterization of Barrett’s esophagus at single-cell resolution

Barrett’s esophagus is the premalignant condition of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is categorized into different stages which correlate with the risk of developing carcinoma. Busslinger et al. performed single-cell RNA sequencing to identify seven genes that facilitate the distinction between different Barrett’s esophagus stages on histological sections.