Revolutionary Tool Unveils Protein Interactions to Combat Lung Cancer

In a groundbreaking effort to create a comprehensive 3D atlas of the human body, Ahmet F. Coskun and his team are unraveling mysteries that could revolutionize treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for the majority of lung cancer cases. Their innovative approach not only pushes the boundaries of biomedical research but may also lead to a promising commercial application.

Following their previous success in "single cell spatial metabolomics," which delves into the distribution of metabolites within tissues, Coskun and his researchers are now trailblazing a new frontier in the field of "spatial interactomics." This emerging discipline focuses on the intricate interactions between biomolecules within individual cells—a pivotal factor in understanding cancer resistance.

At the forefront of their research is the newly developed “intelligent sequential proximity ligation assay,” known as iseqPLA. This cutting-edge tool enables scientists to analyze protein interactions in a spatial context, potentially illuminating why NSCLC exhibits resistance to treatment in many patients.

"It's a groundbreaking test that enables us to examine how proteins interact spatially,” said Coskun, who holds the Bernie Marcus Early Career Professorship at Georgia Tech and Emory University. “Essentially, we have pioneered a new research domain that enhances our understanding of cell types and their functional roles.”

The primary goal of spatial interactomics is to decipher how protein interactions contribute to drug resistance in NSCLC, and the iseqPLA allows for detailed visualization of these processes at a subcellular level. Recent findings from Coskun's team were published in *Nature Biomedical Engineering*, and they are concurrently establishing a company to commercialize their innovative technology.

Advancements in Cancer Treatment

Targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like Osimertinib have shown promise in treating NSCLC, but many patients eventually face treatment resistance. The interactions between proteins are believed to play a critical role in this resistance. Understanding these dynamics could offer insights into better therapeutic strategies.

Coskun's team sees proteins as critical players in cellular communication, dictating growth, division, and survival. By employing iseqPLA, researchers can visualize protein interactions by tagging them with fluorescent markers, creating detailed maps that reveal how proteins are interconnected within a cell.

“Imagine a highly detailed map showcasing the connections between different proteins within a cell,” Coskun compared.

This revolutionary tool evaluates 47 protein interactions within a single sample, marking a significant improvement over traditional methods that could only analyze two to three interactions simultaneously. The research team has also developed a computational model to interpret the spatial data produced by iseqPLA, uncovering patterns that could indicate whether a cell is responding to therapy or developing resistance.

"Our findings demonstrate that this test is effective not just in cultured cells, but in actual tissues from both mice and humans,” explained Coskun. “This has tremendous potential for personalizing treatment approaches for cancer patients.”

Looking Ahead: A New Era in Biomedical Research

Coskun's vision goes beyond lung cancer; he is intent on refining iseqPLA to explore interactions amongst RNA, proteins, and metabolites, thereby broadening its research applications. His ambition includes equipping other scientists with this transformative technology.

“We believe it has the potential to change the landscape of biomedical research,” he asserted.

To facilitate this mission, Coskun is embarking on building a startup named SpatAllize, in collaboration with Georgia Tech’s VentureLab, which supports entrepreneurial initiatives for faculty and students. Initial efforts are focused on engaging potential customers and devising a sustainable market strategy.

Additionally, he plans to advance iseqPLA's capabilities into other research domains, examining how protein interactions affect immune response, cardiovascular health, and neurological function. An exciting part of this future endeavor involves developing a spatial interactomics robot that integrates iseqPLA with advanced imaging techniques and automated deep learning capabilities.

“With this technology, we aim to map all molecules within cells, offering profound insights into drug-cell interactions, particularly in guiding cancer treatment strategies,” Coskun confidently stated.

As research progresses and technology evolves, we could be on the brink of a transformative era in cancer treatment—one where tailored therapies may soon become the norm rather than the exception. Stay tuned for further developments in this thrilling frontier of medical science!