人類基因組共有30億個鹼基，但如何對其進行解讀，是長期以來困擾科學界的難題。中國科學院院士、昌平實驗室主任謝曉亮團隊成功研發了一種新型基因組學技術，猶如為解碼人類基因組功能信息搭載了一台“超清顯微鏡”，實現了對人類細胞轉錄因數圖譜的低成本、系統性繪製。3月27日，在2025中關村論壇年會開幕式上，10項重大科技成果發佈，“基於脫氨酶的轉錄因數印記技術”入選。

The vast majority of cells in the human body basically have the same genome, but at different times and in different locations, cells will express different genes, perform different physiological functions, and can make complex responses to changes in external environmental conditions. Large-scale research projects, such as the Human Genome Project, which have been completed so far, do not explain the spatiotemporal differences in gene expression. The famous geneticist Eric Rand once sighed: "The human genome is a book that we bought that we can't read!" ”

The key to deciphering the human genome is to unravel the localization and binding mechanisms of transcription factors, DNA-binding proteins that control cell fate and function by precisely regulating gene expression programs. Based on the transcription factor imprinting technology FOODIE, Xie Xiaoliang's team has achieved single-cell and single-molecule precision transcription factor imprinting detection for the first time, which has been praised as a "transformative" breakthrough by international peers.

This innovative technology is intellectually patented, easy to implement, has the advantages of high throughput and low cost, and can also distinguish information from individual cells in complex tissues. This method can also identify disease-specific regulatory features through the analysis of transcription factor imprints in clinical samples, and provide clues for the analysis of complex disease occurrence and development mechanisms that are not yet understood.

With FOODIE's mapping of human transcription factor regulation, the ability of researchers to unravel complex life mechanisms and explore the causes of diseases will be greatly improved. At present, Xie Xiaoliang's team is using this technology to reveal the key regulatory mechanisms of transcription factors in human development and degenerative diseases, providing important support for the development of disease screening and intervention technologies. This technology will continue to be optimized to further improve efficiency and reduce costs in terms of deaminase efficiency and high-throughput experiments. Xie Xiaoliang said that the follow-up team will consider promoting or opening up the FOODIE technology, the transcription factor combination regulatory map and related data to the outside world in a timely manner, and promote the basic research of major diseases in China with a win-win attitude.

Source: Beijing Daily client

Reporter: Liu Suya

[Source: Beijing Daily]