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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Investigating Angiogenesis on a Functional and Molecular Level by Leveraging the Scratch Wound Migration Assay and the Spheroid Sprouting Assay
Published on: May 31, 2024
Towards high-throughput functional target discovery in angiogenesis research
Judy R van Beijnum1, Wouter J Eijgelaar, Arjan W Griffioen
1Angiogenesis Laboratory, Research Institute for Growth and Development, Department of Pathology, Maastricht University Hospital, PO Box 5800, 6202AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Angiogenesis is a hallmark of malignancies and other proliferative diseases, and inhibition of this process is considered to be a promising treatment strategy. Classical gene-expression analyses performed during the past decade have generated vast lists of genes associated with disease but have so far yielded only limited novel therapeutic targets for clinical applications. Recently, the focus has shifted from target identification, based on gene-expression analysis, to identification of genes, based on the function of the encoded protein. Disease-target genes can now be identified in a high-throughput fashion based on functional properties that are directly related to the disease phenotype. This new approach significantly shortens the time span for the development of therapeutic applications from the laboratory bench to the hospital bedside.
Insights
Inhibiting angiogenesis, crucial for cancer, is a key treatment strategy. A new method focusing on protein function accelerates the discovery of therapeutic targets for proliferative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Angiogenesis is a critical process in malignancies and proliferative diseases.
- Traditional gene-expression analysis has limited success in identifying novel therapeutic targets.
- A shift towards functional genomics is emerging for disease-target identification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight a novel approach for identifying therapeutic targets based on protein function.
- To emphasize the acceleration of therapeutic development through functional genomics.
Main Methods:
- Shifting focus from gene expression to protein function for target identification.
- Utilizing high-throughput functional assays related to disease phenotype.
- Implementing functional genomics for disease-target discovery.
Main Results:
- Identification of disease-target genes based on protein function.
- Demonstration of a high-throughput method for target discovery.
- Validation of functional properties directly linked to disease phenotype.
Conclusions:
- Functional genomics offers a more efficient route to identify therapeutic targets.
- This approach significantly reduces the timeline for developing new treatments.
- The protein function-based strategy accelerates clinical translation for proliferative diseases.
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01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
01:10Mechanism of Angiogenesis
01:29Pharmacogenomics: Identification of New Drug Targets