Novel spatial technology may improve our understanding of cancer biology
Northwestern Medicine scientists have developed a novel high-resolution spatial genomics platform that may enhance future research into how genome organization and genetic alterations contribute to disease development, including cancer, as detailed in a recent study published in Nature Methods.
Scientists at Northwestern Medicine have created a cutting-edge high-resolution spatial genomics platform named Spatial-ATAC-Hi-C, which could revolutionize future research into the role of genome organization and genetic alterations in disease development, including cancer. This innovative technology allows researchers to simultaneously examine 3D genome folding, chromatin accessibility, and detect genetic changes such as copy-number variations and structural variations within cancerous tumors, all while maintaining the native spatial context of cells and tissues.
The researchers validated their platform by applying it to adult mouse brain and human brain tissue samples. Their results revealed distinct chromatin architecture features and gene regulatory programs in neuronal and non-neuronal cell populations. Moreover, Spatial-ATAC-Hi-C successfully detected spatially resolved 3D genome alterations, as well as genetic copy number variations and structural variations in glioblastoma and astrocytoma tumor samples.
These findings highlight the potential of this new approach in understanding tumor heterogeneity and the dynamic interplay between 3D chromatin structure, accessibility, and spatiotemporal gene regulation within complex biological systems.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
