Until now, studying genetic processes inside cells required destroying cells, making it impossible to observe these processes over long periods of time. A team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz University of Munich has developed a new method to repeatedly obtain up-to-date genetic information from living cells. In the future, this will allow better monitoring of the effects of therapeutic stem cells and intracellular drugs.
Typically, cells need to be lysed for so-called transcriptome analysis (which reveals which genes are currently expressed), and repeated measurements on the same cells are not possible. A research team led by Gil Westmayer, professor of neurobiological engineering at TUM, is using virus-like particles in a new process called NTVE (non-destructive transcriptomics via endoplasmic reticulum export). These particles transport the active gene product, messenger RNA, out of living cells.
RNA is then extracted from the air bubbles on the outside of the cells and analyzed. This allows researchers to determine which genes are currently active. The results obtained through the new process show excellent agreement with comparative measurements using traditional standard methods, without the significant drawback of permanently destroying the studied cells.
Therefore, the new method allows repeated sampling over several days to carefully monitor the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes and germ layers. It also works with neurons and mixed cell populations, allowing analysis of cell-cell communication.
Hope for better treatments for serious diseases
This method provides a powerful new tool for biomedical research. Every day we gain insights into stem cell maturation and function. This could make future cell therapies more precise and effective. ”
Gil Westmeyer, TUM Professor of Neurobiology
Lead author Niklas Armbrust and co-corresponding author Jeffery Truong, PhD, added: “Our new method also allows us to genetically prepare cells for transplantation into tissues. Additionally, NTVE could be used for long-term analysis of organoids and further studies of tumors and their intercellular communication.”
sauce:
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Reference magazines:
Armbrust, N. Others. (2026). Non-destructive transcriptomics by vesicular transport. nature communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-72072-w. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-72072-w
