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Spatial transcriptomics: Novel methods to detect pre-symptomatic causes of Sarcopenia

Research Project
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01.01.2023
 - 30.06.2024

As overall life expectancy increases so do comorbidities associated with an ageing population. Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, is widespread amongst the elderly and leads to reduced quality of life, frailty, and ultimately death - representing a major public health issue and clinical challenge. Sarcopenia entails complex pathogenesis involving neuromuscular function, and metabolism changes are suggested to be the first sign of muscle ageing. Thus, understanding these could help detect pre-symptomatic sarcopenia. The multinucleated composition of myofibers has hampered single-cell analysis, but efforts in bulk, single-nuclear RNA-seq and multiplex-FISH identified sarcopenic changes originating from differences in cell populations [1]. Therefore, the only methodology able to pinpoint the sub-cellular and cell-specific localisation of signals driving sarcopenia is spatial transcriptomics [2-3]. Most workflows however have limited gene coverage, and some proprietary methods with higher capability seem not to be fully reproducible. Therefore, the research community requires openly accessible protocols allowing the resolution of >10,000 genes at sub-diffraction-limit which facilitates distinction of transcripts in immediate proximity, to further encourage innovation in sarcopenic research and ultimately healthcare. This project aims to address this and will create methods, including detailed instructions on probe design, available for others to reproduce.

Funding

Spatial transcriptomics: Novel methods to detect pre-symptomatic causes of Sarcopenia

Foundations / Associations (GrantsTool), 01.2023-06.2024 (18)
PI : Rüegg, Markus A..
CI : Böhm, Ines.

Members (2)

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Markus A. Rüegg

Principal Investigator
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Ines Böhm

Co-Investigator