Bioinformatics
Simply making data publicly available isn’t enough. We need to make it easy — that requires community buy-in.
I helped create a standard to make it easy to upload, analyze and compare functional MRI data. An ecosystem of tools has since grown up around it, boosting reproducibility and speeding up research.
![Illustration of hands organizing objects of various shapes and sizes.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1200-poldrack-open-neuroscience-transmitter-1024x683.webp)
Simply making data publicly available isn’t enough. We need to make it easy — that requires community buy-in.
I helped create a standard to make it easy to upload, analyze and compare functional MRI data. An ecosystem of tools has since grown up around it, boosting reproducibility and speeding up research.
Gut microbiome meta-analysis reveals consistent autism signal
But the field needs to move on from cross-sectional studies to gain insights into the causes and consequences of the association, experts say.
![Digital illustration of Prevotella bacteria.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1200-gut-brain-axis-autism.png)
Gut microbiome meta-analysis reveals consistent autism signal
But the field needs to move on from cross-sectional studies to gain insights into the causes and consequences of the association, experts say.
Chromatin remodeling tied to altered splicing in autism model
Exposing neurons to valproic acid, a well-known environmental risk factor for autism, disrupts their ability to generate different proteins from the same gene.
![Illustration of neurons.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/844-autism-chromatin-remodeling-altered-splicing.jpg)
Chromatin remodeling tied to altered splicing in autism model
Exposing neurons to valproic acid, a well-known environmental risk factor for autism, disrupts their ability to generate different proteins from the same gene.
Africa’s genomic role: Q&A with Conrad Iyegbe and Niran Okewole
Psychiatric genomics promises to shed light on the genetic basis of autism, but it’s vital to include Africa in this research, Iyegbe and Okewole say.
![A pattern in the style of genetic sequencing forms into the shape of the African continent.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/844-africa-working-group-autism-final.jpg)
Africa’s genomic role: Q&A with Conrad Iyegbe and Niran Okewole
Psychiatric genomics promises to shed light on the genetic basis of autism, but it’s vital to include Africa in this research, Iyegbe and Okewole say.
‘Dosage sensitivity map’ predicts active ingredients in copy number variants
The catalog of rare copy number variants tied to autism and other conditions could help researchers identify which genes account for the mutations’ effects.
![Illustration of two chromosomes with copy number variants.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/844_Duplication-Toolbox-Autism.jpg)
‘Dosage sensitivity map’ predicts active ingredients in copy number variants
The catalog of rare copy number variants tied to autism and other conditions could help researchers identify which genes account for the mutations’ effects.
Lumping versus splitting with autism-linked variants: A conversation with Vanessa Vogel-Farley and Yssa DeWoody
Researchers have long studied subgroups of people who share genetic variants, but the newly formed ‘CNV Commission’ is also looking at people with shared traits across different neurodevelopmental conditions.
![Conceptual illustration of chromosomal abnormalities](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Copy-numner-variants-genes-autism-844.jpg)
Lumping versus splitting with autism-linked variants: A conversation with Vanessa Vogel-Farley and Yssa DeWoody
Researchers have long studied subgroups of people who share genetic variants, but the newly formed ‘CNV Commission’ is also looking at people with shared traits across different neurodevelopmental conditions.
Meet the company trying precision medicine for autism
Swiss biotech Stalicla hopes to bring precision medicine to autism. Experts praise efforts to identify autism subgroups, but evidence to support the company’s claims has yet to be seen.
![Brain made up of two different medicines](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Stalicla-treatment-autism-844.jpg)
Meet the company trying precision medicine for autism
Swiss biotech Stalicla hopes to bring precision medicine to autism. Experts praise efforts to identify autism subgroups, but evidence to support the company’s claims has yet to be seen.
Alternate RNA versions of genes may shape autism
Autism may involve different levels of RNA isoforms encoded by genes in the brain, which express many more proteins than previously thought.
![Cerebral cortex transcript](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/844_CerebralCortextranscript.jpeg)
Alternate RNA versions of genes may shape autism
Autism may involve different levels of RNA isoforms encoded by genes in the brain, which express many more proteins than previously thought.
Protein atlas doubles number of known interactions in mice
Thousands of protein-protein interactions mapped in mice reveal how these networks shift across seven kinds of tissue.
![Markov cluster showing protein interactions in mice.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Protein-protein-844-1.jpg)
Protein atlas doubles number of known interactions in mice
Thousands of protein-protein interactions mapped in mice reveal how these networks shift across seven kinds of tissue.
Ultra-rare variants point to new autism candidate genes
A large, whole-genome sequencing study of families yields insights into ultra-rare genetic variants that contribute to autism.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/RarevarFig1C-844.jpg)
Ultra-rare variants point to new autism candidate genes
A large, whole-genome sequencing study of families yields insights into ultra-rare genetic variants that contribute to autism.
Explore more from The Transmitter
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
![Research image of neurons in the fly’s ventral nerve cord.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/lede-motormodules-1200-1024x692.webp)
New connectomes fly beyond the brain
Researchers are mapping the neurons in Drosophila’s ventral nerve cord, where the central nervous system meets the rest of the body.
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
![Illustration of researchers talking to laypeople amidst strands of DNA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1200_Charman-1024x687.webp)
Building an autism research registry: Q&A with Tony Charman
A purpose-built database of participants who have shared genomic and behavioral data could give clinical trials a boost, Charman says.
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/paincircuit-1200-1024x692.webp)
Cerebellar circuit may convert expected pain relief into real thing
The newly identified circuit taps into the brain’s opioid system to provide a top-down form of pain relief.