WASHINGTON: In a major step towards completing a biological atlas of every cell type in the human body, scientists have unveiled the first blueprint of human skeletal development, as part of the Human Cell Atlas project, a global initiative launched in 2016 to map the estimated 37 trillion cells in the human body, each with its distinct function.
Project co-chair and executive vice president at Genentech Aviv Regev says the initiative has a dual purpose: advancing fundamental understanding of human biology and enhancing medical insights into diseases.
“Cells are the basic unit of life, and when things go wrong, they go wrong with our cells,” Regev says.
Focusing on skeletal development during the first trimester of pregnancy, the researchers detailed the cells, gene networks, and interactions crucial to bone growth in early human development.
They highlighted how cartilage acts as a scaffold for most skeletal structures, except for the skull. The study mapped the cells pivotal for skull formation and investigated how genetic mutations could lead to premature fusion of a newborn’s soft spots, restricting brain growth. Such insights could aid in diagnosing and treating congenital conditions.
The researchers, aiming to produce a draft atlas within the next two years, also linked specific genes in early bone cells to an increased risk of developing hip arthritis later in life.
In addition to skeletal development, the team presented atlases of other key systems, including the gastrointestinal tract, encompassing the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and colon. They identified a gut cell type potentially linked to inflammation, which could offer new perspectives on conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.