Ahmet Coskun's presentation on single cell spatial proteomics provided an in-depth exploration of the advancements and applications of this technology in studying immune and cancer cells, particularly within lung cancer ecosystems. He began by discussing the importance of spatial omics technologies, which enable the detection of proteins within tissues without dissociating them, thus preserving the spatial context and cellular details. This approach was crucial for understanding the regulation of proteins in their native locations.
Coskun highlighted the use of imaging mass cytometry to capture detailed spatial proteomics images, allowing for the identification of various cell types and their interactions within the tumour microenvironment. This technology utilised isotope antibodies to image multiple unique markers, providing a comprehensive view of the tissue architecture.
The presentation looked into the complex interactions between immune and cancer cells within tumours, categorising these interactions into immune hot, cold, and suppressed states. This categorisation helped in understanding how these ecosystems controlled tumour progression and response. Coskun also discussed the application of data science and deep learning for cell segmentation and clustering, which were used to visualise immune cell interactions and their roles in tumour immunity.
A significant portion of the presentation focused on the investigation of signalling networks within cells, particularly the interactions of proteins involved in pathways like EGFR and WNT. Coskun explained how these networks changed under drug treatment, providing insights into the effects of drugs on cellular signalling and potential resistance mechanisms. He also touched upon spatial methylome research, examining DNA methylation dynamics at the single-cell level to understand their implications in cancer.
Coskun concluded by discussing the potential of virtual reality in studying spatial omics, enhancing collaborative research and interactive data analysis. He emphasised the importance of these advancements in providing a deeper understanding of the tumour microenvironment and the regulation of proteins within it.
