Researchers have created a first map of some of the 37.2 trillion cells in the human body.
Each type of cell has a unique role, and knowing what they all do can help scientists better understand health and diseases, such as cancer.
The scientists focused on certain organs, tracing the role of cells in the mouth, stomach and intestines, as well as cells that guide the development of bones and joints.
They also explored the groups of cells in tissues, their location in the body and how they change over time.
They hope that this high-resolution, open-access atlas, considered a first draft, will help researchers fight diseases that damage or corrupt human cells.
“When things go wrong, they go wrong first and foremost with our cells,” emphasized Aviv Regev, co-chair of the Human Cell Atlas consortium, which participated in the research.
The results were published Wednesday in the journal “Nature” and related journals.
The group plans to publish a more comprehensive atlas in 2026, profiling cells in 18 body organs and systems. This includes the skin, heart, breasts and more.
The current cell map not only lists the many types of human cells, but also shows the relationships of cells to each other, said Dr. Timothy Chan, a cancer specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.
Mr Chan believes this is a deep dive into human biology, which will certainly have practical impact such as the identification and treatment of cancer cells.
“Different cell types have different Achilles heels,” said Dr. Chan, who was not involved in the studies.
“This is going to be a boon” for cancer research, he added.
Scientists are also creating other atlases that could help them learn more about the basis of health and disease in specific parts of the body.
With brain atlases, they seek to understand the structure, location and function of the many types of brain cells. A new gut microbiome atlas examines the collection of microorganisms in the intestines, which play a key role in digestion and immune system health.
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