What Are Chromosome Rearrangements?

Chromosome rearrangements are structural changes that alter the normal configuration of chromosomes. These changes can involve large segments of DNA — from thousands to millions of base pairs — and can occur spontaneously, be inherited, or result from exposure to mutagens (like radiation or chemicals).

Common Types of Rearrangements:

1. Deletions – Loss of a chromosome segment

2. Duplications – Repetition of a segment

3. Inversions – A segment breaks off, flips, and reattaches

4. Translocations – Segments exchange places between non-homologous chromosomes

5. Insertions – A segment is inserted into another part of the genome

These changes can disrupt genes directly or affect gene regulation, leading to disease.

How Do Chromosome Rearrangements Cause Disease?

The impact of a rearrangement depends on which genes are involved, how much DNA is affected, and when the rearrangement occurs (in development vs. adulthood). Here are some key mechanisms:

• Gene disruption: Breaking a gene can lead to loss of function or the creation of a non-functional protein.

• Gene fusion: Joining parts of two genes may form a novel hybrid gene with new functions (common in cancer).

• Dosage effects: Extra or missing gene copies can disturb the balance of gene expression.

• Position effects: Moving a gene to a new regulatory environment may silence or over-activate it.

Chromosome Rearrangements in Human Disease

1. Developmental Disorders

• Cri-du-chat syndrome: Caused by a deletion on chromosome 5p. Affected infants often have a high-pitched cry and intellectual disability.

• Williams syndrome: Results from a microdeletion on chromosome 7q, affecting genes related to cardiovascular and cognitive function.

2. Cancer

Cancer is perhaps the most striking example of disease caused by chromosome rearrangements.

• Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Caused by a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, forming the Philadelphia chromosome. This creates the BCR-ABL fusion gene, which drives uncontrolled cell growth.

• Burkitt lymphoma: Involves translocation of the MYC gene, leading to excessive cell division.

• Ewing sarcoma: A fusion of EWSR1 and FLI1 genes through translocation promotes tumor development.

3. Infertility and Miscarriages

Balanced rearrangements (like inversions or translocations) in carriers may not cause disease directly but can result in:

• Recurrent miscarriages

• Infertility

• Birth defects in offspring

Detecting Rearrangements

Thanks to modern genomics, chromosome rearrangements can now be detected with high precision using:

• Karyotyping – Classic method for detecting large rearrangements

• FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) – Uses fluorescent probes to target specific DNA sequences

• Array CGH (Comparative Genomic Hybridization) – Detects copy number changes across the genome

• Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) – Identifies even small or complex rearrangements at base-pair resolution

Looking Forward: The Future of Chromosome Medicine

Understanding chromosome rearrangements is now central to:

• Personalized medicine

• Genetic counseling

• Targeted therapies, especially in cancer (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors for BCR-ABL fusion)

With the rise of long-read sequencing and single-cell genomics, even previously “invisible” rearrangements are being uncovered, offering new insights into both rare diseases and common conditions.

Final Thoughts

Chromosome rearrangements remind us that genetics isn't just about which genes we have — but where they are, how they're arranged, and when they're active. As our tools grow sharper, so does our ability to diagnose, understand, and treat diseases rooted in genomic architecture.

In a way, the genome is like a book not just defined by its words, but also by how the chapters are ordered. Rearranging them can create a new story — sometimes harmful, sometimes insightful — and understanding these changes is key to writing a healthier future.

Most people who have a balanced translocation have the right amount of chromosome material but it has been rearranged in some way. This may happen if two chromosomes swap pieces (a reciprocal translocation). In other cases two whole chromosomes may become stuck together (a Robertsonian translocation). This page describes what happens when someone has a reciprocal translocation.

Reciprocal chromosomal translocations occur following double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA when a section of one chromosome is exchanged with that of another, non-homologous chromosome. These exchanges may produce a dysfunctional fusion gene that disrupts cell growth and survival pathways, such as the translocations seen in leukemia and childhood sarcomas.

Chromosomal translocations have been well studied in cancer cell lines which are associated with two types of cancer, acute myeloid leukemia and Ewing's sarcoma, but determining how they contribute to cancer development is complicated by additional mutations and altered gene expression profiles in these cultured cells. Now, Juan Carlos Ramirez, head of the Viral Vector Facility at the Fundacion Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) and his colleagues Raul Torres at CNIC and Sandra Rodriguez-Peralez at the Spanish National Cancer Center (CNIO) in Madrid, Spain have used a new genome editing tool, CRISPR-Cas9, to induce chromosomal translocations for the first time in a human cell line and in primary cells. The study's authors conclude by stating that the use of this technology will allow for the clarification of how and why chromosomal translocation occurs, which without doubt will allow new anti-cancer therapeutic strategies to be tackled.

Using RNA-Guided Endonuclease (RGEN) technology or CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering technology, CNIO and CNIC researchers have shown that it is possible to obtain such chromosomal translocations. The CRISPR-Cas9 system is extremely simple to introduce a cut at the desired locus, easier to design, and cheaper than many other systems. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, Ramirez and his colleagues reproduced the translocations observed in Ewing’s Sarcoma (ES) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) patient cell lines in HEK293 cells and also generated the ES translocation in human mesenchymal stem cells and the AML translocation in umbilical cord blood cells.

By focusing on chromosomal translocation without the confounding characteristics of established cell lines, these new cells lines should help answer the fundamental question of what causes a cell to become cancerous. Ramirez and his team now look forward to modeling other chromosome translocations in a variety of cell types.

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromosomal_translocation

http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/140603/ncomms4964/abs/ncomms4964.html

a) M.Sc/or equivalent in biological sciences/related areas [Position Code: PA_JRF_PF_a]
b) B.E/B.Tech/ M.Sc in biotechnology/bioinformatics/computer science/Chemistry/Physics or MCA [Position Code: PA_JRF_PF_b]
c) M.Sc/or equivalent in wildlife sciences/ecology/environmental sciences or MBBS/BVSc/MVSc. [Position Code: PA_JRF_PF_c]

(Candidates with result awaited are NOT eligible to apply)

Upper Age limit 28years

Rs.12000 / Rs.16000 (as sanctioned by the funding agency)

2. Post Doctoral Fellow/Research Associate in multiple research areas [PDF_RA]

Ph.D. (submitted/awarded) in any branch of biological Sciences. Candidates with Ph.D. in other sciences are also encouraged to apply.

Experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology, infectious disease, conservation genetics, veterinary science, reproductive biology, and molecular diagnostics is desired but not mandatory.

[Position Code: PDF_RA]

UpperAge limit 35years

Rs. 22000- 26000 (as sanctioned by the funding agency)

3. Post Doctoral Scientist Fellow [PDSF]

Ph.D in any of the following areas: bioinformatics, next generation sequencing, high throughput data analysis, proteomics, bio-statistics, computer science, information technology, computer hardware and networking/clustering, parallel processing.
[Position Code: PDSF]

Upper Age limit 40 years

Rs. 40000 consolidated (as sanctioned by the funding agency)

Download Application: Last date for apply online: 09th Oct 2014

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Apply online http://www.ccmb.res.in/positions/temp_notif/online_form.html

More at http://www.ccmb.res.in//index.php?view=notifications&mid=0&id=71&nid=38

ArrayGen specializes in Genomics data analysis and research, as we believe in the level of precision, predictability, benchmark-ability, and data analysis capability of genomics data over other forms of biological data. ArrayGen constantly strives to develop new solutions, and plug the existing gaps in the technological advancement of the field.

More http://www.arraygen.com/

Research topic: Protein function annotation, multiple probabilistic models, domain architecture, machine learning, combinatorial optimization, computer grid.

This project is run on the Laboratoire de Biologie Computationnelle et Quantitative UMR7238 CNRS-UPMC – Analytical Genomics team, headed by A.Carbone. It is co-advised with Pierre-Henri Wuillemin, Laboratoire d’Informatique de Paris 6 – Equipe DECISION.

The postdoc will be payed under a contract of Ingénieur de Recherche lasting 3.5 years and it is available from September 1st, 2014.

Group Web Page: http://www.lcqb.upmc.fr/AnalGenom/home.html

Ref. E-Mail: Alessandra Carbone alessandra.carbone@lip6.fr

About JNIAS
Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Advanced Studies (JNIAS), Hyderabad has been established by Dr. D. Swaminadhan Research Foundation (DSRF), Hyderabad as a Research and Educational Institution with a view to contribute in developing advanced technologies and build „core competence‟ in specific areas. The activities of JNIAS involves: Education, Research Training and Innovations in the fields of Sciences, Technologies, Humanities and Social Sciences. It aims to blossom into an Advanced Institute of education and research with a reservoir of expertise and experience in the relevant fields and the necessary capability to harness multi-disciplinary research and studies. JNIAS has been recognized as an Advanced Research Institute by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad (JNTUH), Hyderabad and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur (JNTUA), for offering Ph.D., P.G M.Phil, P.G Diploma and Training Programmes in Sciences and Engineering & Technology.

Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) Hyderabad also recognized JNIAS for offering UG, PG degree in Architecture.

Projects & Facilities

JNIAS offers wide range of projects:

Biotechnology area:

Molecular Biology
Microbiology
Nanotechnology
Bioinformatics (Schrodinger Software)
In Silico studies & Drug Designing
Sequence analysis
Protein structure function studies

Registration
Tuition Fees: Interested students need to pay the following tuition fees:
1. Six Month’s Project: Rs. 20,000/-
2. Four Month’s Project: Rs. 15,000/-
3. Three Month’s Project: Rs. 10,000/-
4. One Month - Hands on Training : Rs. 8,000/-

For enquires call:
91-7893203414 (Biotechnology), 91-9949582263 (Environmental Sciences) 91-8977369305 (Computer Science)

Interested student may download the application from the website (www.jnias.in) and send the hard copy of the completed application forms and Curriculum Vitae along with the Demand Draft drawn on any nationalized Banks in favor of “The Registrar, JNIAS, Secunderabad”. Application forms can be sent through email to academicprojects@jnias.in

Address
Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Advanced Studies (JNIAS)
6th Floor, Buddha Bhavan, M.G Road,
Secunderabad - 500 003
Andhra Pradesh, India
Tele/Fax: 040- 27541551; 27541553
Mobile: 08885541554
Web site: www.jnias.in

Brochure : https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3zPwhgA-u-nU0dyMFd2OWcxNUpSTWNYc0xDSGs5UDI4UDNB/view?usp=sharing

Essential Qualification
For Research Fellow:-
M.Sc. in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics / Life
Sciences with minimum 55% marks.
Preference will be given to NET/GATE/ICMR qualified candidates without fellowship however, candidates who have cleared the Panjab University Ph.D. entrance test in Systems Biology & Bioinformatics will also be eligible.

Applications should be reach on or before 19-11-2014 in the office of the undersigned. Interview will be held on 21-11-2014 in the office of the Coordinator, Centre for Systems Biology & Bioinformatics, South Campus, Block-3, Sector-25, Panjab University, Chandigarh. No TA/DA will be paid.

more at http://jobs.puchd.ac.in/includes/jobs/2014/20141110143634-Advertisement.pdf

Bachelor/ BS Bioinformatics at
1. Al-khair University, Bhimber
2. Government College University, Faisalabad
3. University Of Agriculture, Faisalabad
4. Comsats Institute Of Information Technology [isb], Islamabad
5. International Islamic University, Islamabad
6. Quaid-e-azam University, Islamabad
7. Khushal Khan Khattak University, Karak
8. Virtual University Of Pakistan, Lahore
9. Virtual University Of Pakistan, Lahore
10. Hazara University, Mansehra
11. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar
12. Comsats Institute Of Information Technology, Sahiwal
13. Capital University Of Science And Technology, Islamabad
14. Foundation University, Islamabad
15. Baqai Medical University/hospital, Karachi
16. Institute Of Business And Technology(main Campus), Karachi
17. Sir Syed University Of Engineering & Technology, Karachi
18. Forman Christian College, Lahore
19. Qarshi University (lhr), Lahore
20. The Superior University, Lahore
21. University Of Management And Technology, Lahore
22. Federal Institute Of Health Sciences, Lahore
23. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University Peshawar, Sub Campus, Swabi
24. Government Postgraduate College ( Mandian), Abbottabad
25. Federal Institute Of Health Sciences, Multan
26. Fedral Institute Of Health Sciences, Muzaffarabad
27. The Limit Institution Of Health Sciences, Sahiwal

Master/ MS Bioinformatics cources at
1. Government College University, Faisalabad
2. Comsats Institute Of Information Technology [isb], Islamabad
3. International Islamic University, Islamabad
4. National University Of Science & Technology, Islamabad
5. Quaid-e-azam University, Islamabad
6. University Of Sindh, Jamshoro
7. Virtual University Of Pakistan, Lahore
8. Hazara University, Mansehra
9. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar
10. Capital University Of Science And Technology, Islamabad
11. Cecos University Of Information Tech. & Emerging Sciences, Peshawar

The real bioinformatics scope lies if there are research labs which work in this field. One has to take account of that. If so then try to get information of those labs and visit them to get a hang of the work they pursue.

There is a huge buzz of precision medicine in light of genomics all around the world. One should also try to see how genomics infrastructure is built up or standing in Pakistan. If research labs having collaboration with hospitals employ genomics then one must also visit such labs. This will bring new avenues in healthcare advances. Not only it opens up the wealth of knowledge one can make out of genomics study but will also advance the critical thinking of therapies.

So I would encourage to target research labs working in the fields and also get information of hospitals employing genomics, this will give you an overall understanding of the fields demand in your country.

Bioinformatics is full of opportunities. The sector is poised to open new avenues for the other related sectors also. But the biggest opportunity area in the Bioinformatics market will be in the drug discovery sector. Reduction of both the cost and time taken to discover a new drug due to fast development in the Bioinformatics tools and software zone is also making drug discovery an attractive field to venture in. Malaysian bioinformatics growth and future are discuss in this https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2723929/ paper. Keeping all such inportance in mind, following universities in Malaysia offering bioinformatics cources:

3 program(s) at AIMST University, Malaysia

Master of Science in Biotechnology (MSc) - Bioinformatics by Research

Master of Science (M.Sc) in Medical Microbiology (Bioinformatics) by Research

Doctor of Philosophy in Biotechnology (PhD) - Bioinformatics by Research

1 program(s) at INTI International University and Colleges, Malaysia

American Degree Transfer Program (Biosciences) in Bioinformatics

3 program(s) at Management and Science University (MSU), Malaysia

Master in Bioinformatics (By Research)

PhD in Bioinformatics

Bachelor in Bioinformatics (Hons)

1 program(s) at Multimedia University (MMU), Malaysia

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Bioinformatics

1 program(s) at Universiti Industri Selangor (UNISEL) Bestari Jaya Campus, Malaysia

Bachelor of Bioinformatics (Hons)

2 program(s) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Malaysia

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics (By Research)

MSc - Master of Science in Bioinformatics (By Research)

6 program(s) at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Malaysia

MSc - Master of Science in Bioinformatics by Research

Master of Science in Bioinformatics and System Biology by Research

Master of Science (M.Sc) in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (With Thesis)

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics by Research

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (With Thesis)

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics and System Biology by Research

1 program(s) at Universiti Selangor (UNISEL), Malaysia

Bachelor of Bioinformatics (Hons)

3 program(s) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Malaysia

M.Sc - Master of Science (Bioscience) in Bioinformatics Research Group (BIRG) By Research

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy (Bioscience) in Bioinformatics Research Group (BIRG) By Research

Bachelor of Computer Science (BioInformatics)

4 program(s) at University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia

MSc - Master of Science in Bioinformatics by Research

Master in Bioinformatics by Coursework

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics by Research

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Bioinformatics

3 program(s) at Perdana University, Malaysia

Master in Bioinformatics (By Research)

PhD in Bioinformatics

Bachelor in Bioinformatics (Hons)

3 program(s) at Monash University, Malaysia

Master in Bioinformatics (By Research)

PhD in Bioinformatics

Bachelor in Bioinformatics (Hons)

The real bioinformatics scope lies if there are research labs which work in this field. One has to take account of that. If so then try to get information of those labs and visit them to get a hang of the work they pursue. For detail Bioinformatics in Malaysia: Hope, Initiative, Effort, Reality, and Challenges are discussed in https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2723929/ paper.