Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
08:38
Genome-wide Protein-protein Interaction Screening by Protein-fragment Complementation Assay (PCA) in Living Cells
Published on: March 3, 2015
Mapping and engineering the human cell-cell interactome
Dino Di Carlo1, Leonardo Morsut2, Megan L McCain2
1University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. dicarlo@ucla.edu.
Nature Biotechnology
|June 23, 2026
Summary
Scientists propose mapping the human cell-cell interactome to understand how cells communicate. This initiative aims to create a functional atlas for discovering new therapies by studying cell interactions.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Systems biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Single-cell transcriptomics and spatial profiling have advanced understanding of molecular states within tissues.
- A significant knowledge gap exists regarding how cells influence each other within their microenvironment.
- Understanding cell-cell communication is crucial for tissue-level function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an initiative for mapping and engineering the human cell-cell interactome.
- To create a functional atlas detailing communication between major human cell types.
- To leverage recent technological innovations to achieve this vision.
Main Methods:
- Proposing the 'Billion Cell×Cell Project' as a first moonshot initiative.
- Systematically characterizing the outcomes of defined cell-cell dyads.
- Utilizing diverse cell types and experimental conditions.
Main Results:
- The proposed initiative will generate a comprehensive map of cell-cell interactions.
- It will provide insights into the functional consequences of cellular communication.
- The project aims to unlock new avenues for therapeutic discovery.
Conclusions:
- Mapping the human cell-cell interactome is an achievable goal with current and emerging technologies.
- This initiative promises to deepen our understanding of cellular communication.
- Collaboration is called upon to build the necessary tools, datasets, and models.
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