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MPI-CBG scientists find new strategy to phenotypically profile the human genome

Endocytosis is a fundamental process supporting many functions such as nutrient uptake, intracellular signalling, morphogenesis during development and defence against pathogens. Dysfunctions of the endocytic system lead to severe metabolic, infectious and neurodegenerative diseases.

In a collaboration with the Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing (ZIH) of TU Dresden, MPI-CBG scientists used a new strategy to profile the human genome with respect to genes that are involved in endocytosis. To this end, they combined RNAi, automated high-resolution confocal microscopy, quantitative multiparametric image analysis, and high-performance computing. Marino Zerial, Director at MPI-CBG and head of the study: "By profiling the activity of all genes we gained a global view of how cellular mechanisms are integrated, thus making an important step toward the 'virtual cell' - towards the identification of patterns of alterations and genes acting as physio-pathological indicators and reflecting disease-relevant alterations".

The study bears important implications for the development of novel therapeutics. Ivan Baines, Director of Services and Facilities at MPI-CBG:"If we can distinguish drug toxicity as a separate activity from drug efficacy, as is suggested by the quantitative profiling approach of this study, then we may be able to discover better drugs with fewer side effects." (Nature, 28 February 2010, advance online publication)

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