Human Cell Atlas maps 37 trillion human cells for disease insights
Efforts to create a comprehensive map of all human cells have made a significant leap forward. Researchers affiliated with the Human Cell Atlas (HCA), a global scientific consortium, have published more than 40 studies detailing critical advances in mapping the 37 trillion cells that make up the human body. These findings, published Nov. 20 in Nature journals, focus on cells in organs such as the lungs, skin and brain and outline advanced computational tools for analyzing massive data sets.
The project aims to profile cells from diverse populations around the world to identify their unique functions, locations and interactions at different life stages. Data has already been collected from 100 million cells from more than 10,000 individuals in more than 100 countries. By 2026, researchers plan to present the first version of the atlas, with future versions expected to contain billions of cells.
Detailed discoveries all over the body
Among the recent ones findings is a comprehensive cellular map of the digestive system, from the esophagus to the colon. This work, based on data from 190 individuals, identified a type of cell involved in inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Professor Itai Yanai of NYU Langone Health noted that these cells likely trigger immune responses, contributing to inflammation in diseased tissues.
Other studies have shed light on early human development, including insights into skeletal formation during pregnancy and conditions such as craniosynostosis. Maps comparing fetal brain development to laboratory-grown brain organoids also highlight the accuracy of these models, which replicate human brain activity up to the second trimester.
Implications for medical research
The findings have implications for drug discovery and disease understanding. Dr. Aviv Regev, co-chair of the HCA, compared the work to advances in mapping technologies, saying, “We’ve gone from simple, crude maps to something as detailed as Google Maps.” However, she acknowledged the significant work ahead to complete this ambitious project.
The research has already led to groundbreaking discoveries, including the identification of a new lung cell type and insights into tissues vulnerable to COVID-19. Scientists want to continue refining these maps, using organoids and other methods to unravel human biology and disease mechanisms.
