Scientists have unveiled the first draft of the Human Cell Atlas, a project aiming to map every cell type in the human body to enhance the understanding of health and disease.
It could eventually be used to better treat cancer and inflammatory disorders.
Described as a “Google Maps for cell biology,” the atlas charts how different cells work together to form tissues and organs. This initial version focuses on cells from the mouth, stomach, intestines, and areas that guide bone and joint development,
The work is a collaborative effort of over 3,600 researchers across 100 countries.
Published Wednesday in Nature and related journals, the project shows how advanced technologies like single-cell and spatial genomics can analyze cells at an unprecedented level of detail.
“When things go wrong, they go wrong with our cells first and foremost,” said Dr. Aviv Regev, co-chair of the Human Cell Atlas consortium and a biology professor at MIT.
A T cell aggregate in a human trachea biopsy on July 12, 2021, at the University of Cambridge in England. By mapping every cell type, the Human Cell Atlas seeks to provide insights into cellular functions, interactions, and their roles in various diseases.
Nathan Richoz/Clatworthy Lab/University of Cambridge via AP
Potential Medical Uses of the Human Cell Atlas
The map could also make sense of how genetic variations and environmental factors affect cellular functions.
Researchers envision the atlas as a tool to pinpoint disease mechanisms at the cellular level––diagnosing and monitoring chronic, even deadly, illnesses.
“Different types of cells have different Achilles’ heels. This is going to be a boon for identifying and treating cancer cells,” said Dr. Timothy Chan of the Cleveland Clinic, who was not directly involved in the studies.
One study highlighted by the project revealed a rare gut cell type involved in inflammation, offering clues for addressing conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Another detailed the development of the human skeleton, uncovering cells critical to understanding arthritis and other skeletal disorders.
This image provided by Ana-Maria Cujba shows blood vessels in a portion of the human small intestine.
Ana-Maria Cujba/Wellcome Sanger Institute via AP
Representing the Bodies of the Global Population
The Human Cell Atlas stands out for its emphasis on biological inclusivity.
Not all bodies are the same––with this, its team purport to include diverse populations, ensuring the atlas benefits humanity as a whole.
Regev defines the project as “large-scale” and “community-driven.”
“[The atlas] will evolve continuously and remain accessible to all to advance our understanding of the human body in health and treatments for disease,” she said.
Efforts to engage underrepresented groups include training local scientists in single-cell analysis methods and building regional networks for collaborative research. Initiatives have been held in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Lab technicians work on a process machine to produce CAR-T cells and RNA in Paris on September 23, 2021. The Human Cell Atlas maps cell types and their surface proteins with unprecedented detail, a potential boost for treating cancers with CAR-T.
THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images
Collaborating with CAR-T to Treat Cancer
The initial atlas will expand by 2026 to profile cells from 18 organs and body systems, including the skin, heart, and breasts. This larger map could lead to precision medicine tailored to individuals based on their unique cellular makeup.
CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy––an advanced form of immunotherapy used to treat certain cancers––is one of the more advanced examples of how this data can be applied.
Tens of thousands of cancer patients, particularly those with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, have been treated with CAR-T to staggering levels of success.
It involves genetically modifying a patient’s own T cells, a type of white blood cell, to better recognize and attack cancer cells. Detailed cellular maps and insights could refine and expand the therapy’s effectiveness.
“The insights emerging from these discoveries are already reshaping our understanding of health and disease, paving the way for transformative health benefits that will impact lives worldwide,” said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, chief scientist at the World Health Organization.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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