Left to right MD-PhD student Tomer Kagan and Dr. Tal Laviv (Tel Aviv University)
A groundbreaking scientific method developed at Tel Aviv University is set to revolutionize our understanding of the PTEN gene, a crucial regulator of cellular growth. This breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments for developmental disorders and various forms of cancer.
The study, led by Dr. Tal Laviv from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, was published in the prestigious journal Nature Methods.
Cells constantly adjust their size and division rate to adapt to their environment—a process essential for normal development. Disruptions in this balance can lead to serious diseases, including cancer and developmental disorders.
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In the brain, precise cellular growth regulation is particularly critical during early development. Among the many genes involved, PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin Homologue) plays a key role. Mutations in PTEN have been linked to conditions such as autism, epilepsy, and various cancers.
By improving our ability to study PTEN, this novel method could lead to new therapeutic strategies for conditions caused by abnormal cell growth. The research marks a significant step forward in genetics, neuroscience, and cancer research.
“Many studies have shown that PTEN is essential for regulating cell growth in the brain by providing a stop signal,” Dr. Tal Laviv explained. “This means PTEN activity is crucial for maintaining cells at their proper size and state. There is growing evidence that mutations in PTEN, which reduce its activity, contribute to diseases like autism, macrocephaly, cancer, and epilepsy. Despite the critical role PTEN plays in cellular function, scientists have had limited tools to measure its activity. For example, it wasn’t to directly measure PTEN activity in an intact brain, which would greatly help our understanding of its role in health and disease.”
Dr. Laviv and his research team, led by MD-PhD student Tomer Kagan, have developed an innovative tool that directly measures PTEN activity with high sensitivity in various research models, including in the intact brains of mice. This groundbreaking technology, which combines advancements in genetic tools and microscopy, will allow scientists to gain deeper insights into why PTEN is so crucial for normal brain development. It could also improve our understanding of how PTEN-related diseases, such as cancer and autism, develop.
The researchers predict that this new tool will enable the development of personalized therapeutics by monitoring PTEN activity in various biological settings. Additionally, it could help identify diseases at earlier stages, potentially leading to faster and more effective treatments.
