Significance of stereologically spatiotemporal cells in molecular medicine

Spatiotemporal distributions of intracellular elements (e.g., small molecules, proteins and organelles) dynamically altered in response to extracellular stimuli and pathogens, regulating those element movements, remodelling, and functions independently of mere changes in element abundance. To distinguish from conventional one- or two-dimensional spatialization, we define the precise three-dimensional localisation and interactions of intra- and extracellular elements at the single cell level as the "stereologically spatiotemporal cell" (SST-cell). For example, the three-dimensional construction of chromosomes ensures their proper formation and spatial positioning, facilitates the recruitment of regulatory factors, and underlies the mechanisms by which these factors maintain chromatin architecture. A large number of intracellular organelles and sub-organelles, along with their intercommunications, decide cellular biological types, subtype specification and type-specific functions. With the development of Stereo-Cell and Stereo-seq, the measurement of spatial SST-cell omics probably enables the detailed dissection of spatial heterogeneity among different cell subtypes and states, as well as their intercellular communications. Furthermore, the new approach of single SST-cell drug screening will be innovated for developing the new generation of clinical precision therapies.