Researchers from the University of Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, and the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research have developed a new method that enables the precise measurement of damage at the level of individual cells. By analysing molecular markers, particularly gene expression, the approach allows researchers to track disease progression in detailed tissue samples, including biopsies. The study, “Cell-type-specific damage scores reveal kidney and liver disease trajectories in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics,” was published in Cell Genomics.

The computer-assisted method identifies specific marker genes that can be used to assess damage in kidney podocytes and liver hepatocytes—two cell types that play important roles in age-related diseases. The approach can analyse both single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics data, making it adaptable for studying other cell types and organs as well.

The research emerged from a collaboration between experts in computational biology, clinical medicine, and liver and metabolism research. Led by Professor Dr Andreas Beyer and initiated together with nephrologist Dr Martin Kann, the project aimed to improve understanding of slowly progressing degenerative diseases.

Using this method, researchers can distinguish early disease processes from changes that occur at later stages and identify differences between individual patients and broader disease patterns. This could support the development of more personalised treatment strategies tailored to a patient's specific disease progression.

The technique also allows scientists to arrange cells according to their level of damage and analyse the sequence of biological changes that occur as disease develops. By identifying critical early stages, researchers may be able to pinpoint when therapeutic interventions could be most effective.

The team believes the method could have broad applications in disease research and personalised medicine. They are now further refining the approach to improve its ability to predict disease progression and potentially support earlier, more targeted interventions for patients.

Source: https://uni-koeln.de/en/university/news/news/news-detail/new-method-for-investigating-the-effects-of-degenerative-diseases-on-individual-cells