Imagine knowing the finer genetic details of how the body makes one of its own vital organs. Well, thanks to a number of researchers from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre, Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) University of Queensland and Harvard University there’s no longer a need to imagine – it has become a reality.
The generation of the genetic blueprint of a developing mammalian organ is the first known of its kind and has been coined a “genome-based atlas”. Previous studies noted by researchers, had only managed to expose critical genes and pathways but lacked a deeper analysis into gene-expression related to individual cellular and anatomic structures. This study however, has created an atlas that exhaustively maps the gene expression that leads to and regulates the formation of several discrete elements in the developing kidney. Essentially, this was achieved by first isolating then purifying said discrete elements and transcriptionally profiling them with microarrays, thus characterizing the gene expression states of the kidney cells in the compartments during kidney development. When compiled together these data sets are effectively a comprehensive manual of gene expression, “detailing how the entire genome is regulated to produce thousands of specific genes that are mixed and re-mixed to form genetic teams” (Little, 2008).
Considering that around one in every 500 births results in a kidney development abnormality this research is expected to serve as an invaluable resource with regards to genetic and molecular dynamics, allowing a direct comparison between a healthy and abnormal kidney formation at various stages of development.
References:
Brunskill, EW et. al. , “Atlas of Gene Expression in the Developing Kidney at Microanatomic Resolution”, Developmental Cell, vol. 15, pp. 781 – 791.
Further Reading
“Genetic blueprint revealed for kidney design and formation” - http://www.imb.uq.edu.au/?page=93593&pid=93593&ntemplate=235
“GenitoUrinary Development Molecular Anatomy Project” – www.gudmap.org
Janet Outhwaite (41722220)
