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When and why does the biological decision between health and illness occur in the body? What criteria ensure that identical therapies have different success rates in different patients? In order to unravel the underlying physiological processes, we need analytical methods that can simultaneously obtain information about different classes of molecules such as proteins, lipids and metabolites – and that can map their spatial and temporal distribution. The technological basis for achieving this is provided by 4D analytics. It describes the quantitative and qualitative analysis of biological systems and the time- and spatially-resolved detection of (bio-)molecules. With 4D analytics, researchers at ISAS aim to determine the quantities and types of different substances, such as proteins or lipids, as well as their location simultaneously within a sample at different points in time. To achieve this, in the four research programmes the scientists combine their results and methodological developments in an interdisciplinary way in order to obtain the maximum amount of information from each sample.
»Four-dimensional « analytical methods for precision medicineVierdimensionale
This means: In the case of cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases or cancer, for example, the researchers not only want to use mass spectrometry to understand what is happening at the level of proteins, lipids or metabolites, but also to use various microscopy methods to determine, for example, where exactly the various molecules have accumulated in a single cell and to what extent. In order to be able to evaluate the new types of data obtained in the simultaneous analysis procedures, scientists at ISAS are working on strategies and programmes using artificial intelligence. Our scientists apply their methodological developments to various model systems (e.g. mouse models for specific issues in cardiovascular diseases).
Animal testing & animal welfare
Wherever possible, ISAS researchers use alternative methods instead of animal experiments with mice. However, for many issues relating to cardiovascular diseases and immunological processes in the body, animal experiments are currently necessary. Where animal testing is essential, we at ISAS apply new analytical methods in combination with artificial intelligence to significantly reduce the number of mice in accordance with the 3R principle. Our scientists have been developing various complementary analytical methods.
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For example, they have succeeded in optimising mass spectrometry-based methods of analysis in such a way that they can obtain a high level of information from fewer animal and human samples. In addition, our researchers use a special procedure for their analyses under the light sheet fluorescence microscope that makes entire organs transparent. This so-called optical clearing can be reversed so that no animal samples are destroyed. This allows our scientists to analyse one and the same sample using different analytical procedures: First with a light sheet fluorescence microscope, then with a confocal microscope and a mass spectrometer, for example. Because they can use the same sample multiple times, our scientists significantly reduce the number of mice per research project.
Transparent communication on the subject of animal experiments is important to us. Our researchers and our animal welfare officer are available for discussions. Please contact our press office for enquiries about animal experiments.
As a member of the Leibniz Association, ISAS supports the »Initiative Transparente Tierversuche« and »Tierversuche verstehen - Eine Informationsinitiative der Wissenschaft«.
Vierdimensionale Analysemethoden für die Präzisionsmedizin
In the long term, »four-dimensional« analysis methods for precision medicine developed at ISAS should enable medical staff to diagnose diseases as early as possible and in a targeted manner. They should also support them in selecting the most suitable measures for prevention or therapy (with the least side effects) for each individual.
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