Novel high-resolution method allows the study of genes that are active in the tissue

Novel high-resolution method allows the study of genes that are active in the tissue -

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) have developed a new high resolution method for the study of genes that are active in tissue. The method can be used on all types of fabrics and it is useful for both the diagnosis of cancer and pre-clinical research. The results are published in the journal Science.

The disease modifies the expression of RNA molecules and proteins in the tissue. Microscopic studies of tissue samples are regularly carried out in laboratories and hospitals in the interests of the advancement of knowledge and diagnosis, but to date only the location of a small number of RNA molecules has been can be established simultaneously.

Collaboration between teachers Jonas Frisén (KI) and Joakim Lundeberg (KTH) in SciLifeLab resulted in a new method for analyzing the amount of all RNA molecules and provides information space from the microscope.

"by placing tissue sections on a glass slide on which we have placed DNA strands with built in address labels, we were able to label RNA molecules formed by active genes, "says Professor Frisén. "When we analyze the presence of RNA molecules in the sample, the address labels to show where in the section of the molecules have been and we can obtain high resolution information on where different genes are active . "

the results are also valuable for more accurate diagnosis. the current practice is to take a tissue sample, grind down and analyze the mixture of cells, but the risk is that some cancer cells become so diluted by the signals from all other sample cells and are therefore ignored.

"with our method, we can capture the tumor signal because it is not diluted," he continues. "Because different parts of the tissue sample have their specific address labels, we can identify a small number of tumor cells."

The method can be used on all types of fabrics and diseases. It can also provide information on the heterogeneity of the disease in the diagnosis of cancer, as demonstrated in the breast cancer study.

What do you hope your method will lead to?

"It can study the genes that are active in tissues with greater resolution and accuracy than ever before, which is valuable for basic research and diagnostics," says Professor Frisén.