Chinese scientists complete first gene expression profiles of human digestive tract

Scientists in China have completed the first systematic genetic study of the human fetal digestive tract that will assist diagnose and treat digestive- tract complaints such as gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, state media reported today.

The study was carried out by the Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Genomics (ICG), the Biodynamic Optical Imaging Centre and the Third Hospital of Peking University, supported by the China National Natural Science Foundation, Xinhua news agency reported.

The study was published in the latest issue of Nature Cell Biology.

The researchers mapped the genes of 5,277 individual cells and identified 40 cell types in organs from human embryos, as well as the large intestine of adults.

"It was the first time that scientists had systematically studied the development paths and gene expressions of the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine in both embryonic and adult stages," said Tang Fuchou, deputy director of ICG and member of the research team.

Established in 2016 by the Beijing Municipal Government, the ICG is a leading multi-disciplinary research centre at the 1898-founded Peking University.