PANORAMICS - A Vision reposted this
As a former researcher in the field of quantitative biology and stem cell biology, I am always keen to see how computational methods can help us better understand stem cells and aging. The research paper in Nature Communications by Hartmut Geiger and colleagues introduces a new tool called #CellDetail, which is designed to analyse the distribution of biomolecules within single cells. This tool is particularly useful for studying how the arrangement of these molecules changes as cells age or in response to diseases. CellDetail uses a concept similar to the dipole moment in physics to calculate the polarity of biomolecules within cells. Polarity refers to the uneven distribution of molecules, which is crucial for many cellular processes. The tool was tested on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are responsible for producing blood cells. The study found that the organization of certain proteins, like Cdc42 and Tubulin, becomes less polar as these cells age. This loss of polarity is linked to aging and can be reversed by reducing the activity of a protein called Cdc42. The researchers also explored the organisation of a group of proteins called Septins, which help maintain cell structure. They discovered that the Septin network is less organized in aged cells, but this can be restored to a youthful state by targeting Cdc42 activity. The study suggests that changes in the Septin network might be a common feature of aging across different cell types, including human fibroblasts. Overall, the paper highlights the importance of understanding the spatial distribution of biomolecules in cells and provides a new tool to study these changes quantitatively. This research could have implications for understanding aging and developing treatments for age-related diseases.
