Search bioRxiv⌕ Search

Biology subjects

Pitteloud, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Pitteloud, N..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

GenMasterTable: A user-friendly desktop application for filtering, summarising, and visualising large-scale annotated genetic variants

BackgroundThe rapid expansion of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has generated vast amounts of genomic data, creating a growing demand for secure, scalable, and accessible tools to support variant interpretation. However, many existing solutions are command-line based, rely on cloud or server infrastructures that may pose data privacy risks, lack flexibility in supporting both VCF and CSV formats, or struggle to handle the scale and complexity of modern genomic datasets. There is a clear need for a user-friendly, locally operated application capable of efficiently processing annotated variant data for large-scale cohort level analysis. ResultsWe introduce GenMasterTable, a free, secure, and cross-platform desktop application designed to simplify variant analysis through an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI). As the first tool to enable comprehensive cohort-level analysis from both VCF and CSV files, GenMasterTable provides advanced functionality for merging, filtering, summarizing, and visualizing large-scale annotated datasets. Tailored for users without programming expertise, it enables rapid and accurate exploration of genetic variants, making it a practical solution for both research and clinical settings. ConclusionGenMasterTable addresses critical limitations in current variant analysis workflows by combining usability, data security, and scalability. Its support for multiple input formats and locally executed operations empowers clinicians, geneticists, and researchers to perform comprehensive variant analysis efficiently without the need for programming expertise.

bioinformatics↗

Transcriptomic profiling of murine GnRH neurons reveals developmental trajectories linked to human reproduction

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons play a crucial role in human reproduction and are associated with a spectrum of conditions. However, the underlying biological mechanisms remain elusive due to their small number and sparse distribution. We performed transcriptomic profiling of GnRH neurons during mouse embryonic development, revealing their molecular identity and gene expression dynamics. Our findings show that GnRH neurons undergo a profound transcriptional shift as they migrate from the nose to the brain and that distinct expression trajectories are associated with critical biological processes, including cell migration, neuronal projections, and synapse formation. Cell-to-cell communication analysis revealed timely and spatially restricted modulation of signaling pathways involving known molecules, such as Semaphorins and Plexins, and novel candidates, such as Neurexins and Endothelins. Using GWAS genes linked to human reproductive onset, we found a specific association with GnRH neuron trajectories rising in late developmental stages and involved in neuron maturation and connectivity. Finally, analysis of the genetic burden in a large cohort of patients with congenital GnRH deficiency revealed specific GnRH neuron trajectories with a significant mutation load compared to controls. In conclusion, this study revealed the gene expression dynamics underlying GnRH neuron embryonic development and provides novel insights linking GnRH neuron biology to human reproduction.

developmental biology↗

A human omentum-specific mesothelial-like stromal population inhibits adipogenesis through IGFBP2 secretion

Adipose tissue plasticity is orchestrated by molecularly and functionally diverse cells within the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). While several mouse and human adipose SVF cellular subpopulations have now been identified, we still lack an understanding of the cellular and functional variability of adipose stem and progenitor cell (ASPC) populations across human fat depots. To address this, we performed single-cell and bulk RNA-seq analyses of >30 Lin-SVF samples across four human adipose depots, revealing two ubiquitous hASPC subpopulations with distinct proliferative and adipogenic properties but also depot- and BMI-dependent proportions. Furthermore, we identified an omental-specific, high IGFBP2- expressing stromal population that transitions between mesothelial and mesenchymal cell states and inhibits hASPC adipogenesis through IGFBP2 secretion. Our analyses highlight the molecular and cellular uniqueness of different adipose niches while our discovery of an anti-adipogenic IGFBP2+ omental-specific population provides a new rationale for the biomedically relevant, limited adipogenic capacity of omental hASPCs.

cell biology↗