HANGZHOU, China, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A research team led by Zhen-Xing Endowed Professor Jian Yang at the School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, together with collaborators, published their latest findings in Nature on April 1. The study innovatively developed a pangenome-informed genome assembly (PIGA) method. By combining a cost-effective hybrid sequencing strategy of long and short reads, the team successfully constructed a pangenome for over a thousand individuals. This achievement breaks through the limitations of previous small-sample pangenomes and provides a critical foundational infrastructure for medical and population genetics research.
Since the completion of the Human Genome Project, single linear reference genomes (such as GRCh38) have served as the foundation for biomedical research. However, the genetic backgrounds of human individuals vary significantly, and a single reference genome cannot capture the full extent of genetic diversity across populations. This leads to complex forms of genetic variations, such as structural variants (SVs) and tandem repeats (TRs), being overlooked in traditional analyses. To address this challenge, researchers proposed the concept of a pangenome—a collection of genome sequences representing the genetic diversity of a population.
While advancements in long-read sequencing have enabled the assembly of high-quality diploid genomes, the high costs of sequencing have limited the sample sizes of previous pangenomes to only a few dozen individuals. Such small sample sizes are insufficient to accurately estimate the frequency of genetic variants in populations or to resolve low-frequency variants and high-complexity regions. Therefore, developing a cost-effective pangenome construction strategy for large-scale populations has become an urgent requirement for resolving the functional impact of complex variants and enhancing clinical diagnostics.
Yang's team has long been dedicated to methodological research in statistical genetics, genomics, and the big data analysis of human complex traits. By developing efficient computational methods, the team has consistently tackled core challenges in processing large-scale genomic data. Analysis tools developed by the team, such as GCTA-GREML, SMR, and gsMap, have been widely adopted globally. To address the challenge in constructing large-scale pangenomes, the research team developed the pangenome-informed genome assembly (PIGA) workflow (Fig. 1). Unlike de novo assembly approaches, which rely on sequencing data from individual samples, PIGA adopts a pangenome-guided framework to integrate sequence information across the entire cohort. It fully leverages a cost-effective hybrid sequencing strategy based on modest-coverage Illumina short-read and PacBio long-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data. This approach substantially reduces sequencing costs while enabling the assembly of genomes from modest-coverage data, thereby providing a practical new technical pathway for future population-scale hybrid sequencing studies.
Applying this method, the research team constructed the world's largest human pangenome to date, comprising 1,116 diploid genomes with a mean quality value (QV) of 46. The pangenome identified 405.3 million base pairs (Mb) of non-reference sequences absent from current references (GRCh38 and CHM13). Notably, the team annotated 26.2 Mb of these sequences as functional genic and predicted regulatory elements, greatly expanding our understanding of the non-reference sequences in the human genome.
Leveraging the large-scale assembly dataset, the researchers compiled a comprehensive catalog of genetic variation. In addition to 35.4 million small variants, the catalog captured a wide range of complex variants, including 110,530 SVs, 485,575 TRs, and 0.86 million nested variants embedded within non-reference sequences.
Using this catalog, the team characterized medically relevant variations at multiple scales (Fig. 2), including gene-altering SVs, pathogenic TR expansions, gene cluster variations, and HLA gene haplotypes. These findings indicate that the 1KCP variant catalog provides an important reference for the clinical screening of pathogenic mutations.
By integrating gene expression data, the team conducted pan-variant expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) mapping. They identified 3,256 eQTLs involving complex variants (SVs, TRs, and nested variants), elucidating the regulatory complexity of these diverse variant types.
Together, this study significantly advances our understanding of complex genetic variants and their functional implications, establishing a new paradigm for human health research and pangenome studies in other species.
Ph.D. student Yifei Wang and Research Assistant Professor Zhongqu Duan are the co-first authors of the study. Professor Jian Yang is the last author. This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Key R&D Program, the Zhejiang "Pioneer & Leading Goose" Program, and the New Cornerstone Science Foundation. Computational resources were provided by the High-Performance Computing Center at Westlake University.
Professor Jian Yang's research group is dedicated to developing statistical genetics and bioinformatics methods. By deeply analyzing genomic and multi-omic data from large-scale population cohorts, they aim to uncover the genetic architecture and molecular mechanisms underlying complex diseases, translating these discoveries into novel strategies for disease diagnosis, drug target discovery, and precision medicine.
Related links:
Paper link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10315-y
Jian Yang lab website: https://yanglab.westlake.edu.cn/
Media contact:
Chi Zhang
media@westlake.edu.cn
+86-15659837873
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Assembling Over 1,000 Human Genomes Affordably: New Method Powers Medicine's Future
|
DUBAI, UAE, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced the latest instalments of the Bybit Alpha Trading Fiesta. From now until June 22, 2026, participants can compete for 600,000 USDT in rewards across four seasons (Season 6 to Season 9), with a chance to snag the top prize of 8,000 USDT in the trading competition segment in each round.
Recording over $150 million in trading volume since its commencement, the Bybit Alpha Trading Fiesta has been celebrated by thousands of alpha hunters. From now until April 20, 2026, Bybit Alpha Trading Fiesta Season 6 offers two reward mechanisms catering to traders of varying experience levels. Parallel to a competitive leaderboard, the Alpha Lucky Draw offers an alternative reward track for everyday traders:
- Alpha Lucky Draw: Featuring a 50,000 USDT prize pool, Bybit Alpha users can earn lucky draw tickets and win up to 100 USDT by completing their first trade or liquidity farming order on Bybit Alpha, or achieving their daily trading volume target.
- Alpha Trading Competition: With 100,000 USDT in prizes up for grabs, the competitive segment is for avid traders who aim to win big on leaderboards. The top 100 leaders will receive tiered rewards with 4,000 USDT, 6,000 USDT, and 8,000 USDT in rewards for the top three traders respectively.
How it works: After signing up for the Fiesta in each Season, users simply need to select their preferred tokens and trade on Bybit Alpha with their Unified Trading Account balance
As cryptocurrency markets evolve and traders seek to diversify beyond mainstream tokens, Bybit Alpha emerges as a gateway to alternative opportunities. The platform offers participants access to innovative and the latest trending projects. With Bybit Alpha Trading Fiesta, Bybit reinforces its commitment to empowering traders with tools that unlock competitive advantage and portfolio diversification.
The crypto trading community spans across varying risk appetites and trading horizons. Through Alpha, Bybit positions itself as a partner in traders' evolution, delivering infrastructure that bridges the gap between retail participation and institutional-grade trading sophistication. As the Crypto Ark, Bybit is dedicated to supporting traders at every stage of their crypto journey.
Terms and conditions apply. For details of participation requirements and restrictions, users may visit: Alpha Trading Fiesta Season 6
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #IMakeIt
About Bybit
Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media
Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube
DUBAI, UAE, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced the latest instalments of the Bybit Alpha Trading Fiesta. From now until June 22, 2026, participants can compete for 600,000 USDT in rewards across four seasons (Season 6 to Season 9), with a chance to snag the top prize of 8,000 USDT in the trading competition segment in each round.
Recording over $150 million in trading volume since its commencement, the Bybit Alpha Trading Fiesta has been celebrated by thousands of alpha hunters. From now until April 20, 2026, Bybit Alpha Trading Fiesta Season 6 offers two reward mechanisms catering to traders of varying experience levels. Parallel to a competitive leaderboard, the Alpha Lucky Draw offers an alternative reward track for everyday traders:
How it works: After signing up for the Fiesta in each Season, users simply need to select their preferred tokens and trade on Bybit Alpha with their Unified Trading Account balance
As cryptocurrency markets evolve and traders seek to diversify beyond mainstream tokens, Bybit Alpha emerges as a gateway to alternative opportunities. The platform offers participants access to innovative and the latest trending projects. With Bybit Alpha Trading Fiesta, Bybit reinforces its commitment to empowering traders with tools that unlock competitive advantage and portfolio diversification.
The crypto trading community spans across varying risk appetites and trading horizons. Through Alpha, Bybit positions itself as a partner in traders' evolution, delivering infrastructure that bridges the gap between retail participation and institutional-grade trading sophistication. As the Crypto Ark, Bybit is dedicated to supporting traders at every stage of their crypto journey.
Terms and conditions apply. For details of participation requirements and restrictions, users may visit: Alpha Trading Fiesta Season 6
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #IMakeIt
About Bybit
Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media
Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Bybit Alpha Trading Fiesta Returns with 600,000 USDT in Rewards
