Developing a high-content spatial transcriptomic screen method to discover novel regulators of cell-cell interaction in the native senescent microenvironment
A fundamental question in the biology of aging revolves around understanding how different cell types and cell states change and interact to collectively contribute to the aging phenotype. This has been difficult to address as the aging process is not uniform across tissues and organs. In an aging tissue, a cell's position can be as pivotal as its inherent properties in shaping tissue function during aging. Recent breakthroughs in single-cell spatial omic technologies have significantly advanced our understanding of molecular and cellular organizations within tissues but cannot unveil direct functional mechanisms or causative factors. In this pioneering project, Dr. Wang aims to develop an in vivo genome-wide screening technology for identifying spatial transcriptome regulators in aging tissue, marking a new frontier in aging research. These identified regulators could be targeted to modify the spatial transcriptome associated with aging, fostering healthier aging by modulating spatial communication between relevant cell types.
