10.01.2025

Researchers at the University of Bonn and University Hospital Bonn (UKB) have developed a groundbreaking method for identifying genes involved in human diseases. This new approach, called Nuclear In-Situ Sequencing (NIS-Seq), simplifies and accelerates the process of uncovering genetic determinants in human cells.

Image: The picture shows the researchers who have developed a method that makes the identification of genes involved in diseases easier; Copyright: Felix Heyder / University Hospital Bonn

Demonstrating how genes associated with diseases can be more easily identified (clockwise from top left): Alexander Hoch, Katja Blumenstock, Marius Jentzsch, Caroline Fandrey und Prof. Jonathan Schmid-Burgk

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Current CRISPR screening methods: strengths and limitations

CRISPR technology has revolutionized the study of gene functions, enabling researchers to systematically deactivate genes in cells. According to Schmid-Burgk, “We then enrich the cells in which a specific biological process is altered, and identify the genes switched off.” However, this process requires significant time and resources, as researchers must establish unique methods to isolate relevant cells for each biological process. Moreover, these methods are less effective in sensitive cell types, such as human immune cells, which often do not survive the process.

Efficiency and broad applicability

NIS-Seq allows researchers to identify relevant genes in just one week, compared to months required by conventional CRISPR screens. Another advantage of the new method is that it works in almost all cells, even in particularly small or inactive cells -provided they have a cell nucleus. The team successfully tested the method on eight cell types from two species, demonstrating its broad applicability.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: University of Bonn

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