Sarah Amalia Teichmann, a trailblazing scientist in cellular genetics and stem cell medicine, emphasized the transformative potential of the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) project in enabling cell engineering for research and therapeutic applications. Teichmann delivered her insights during a lecture titled “Mapping Molecules to Cells” at the BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), as part of the Public Series Lecture organized by the India Academy of Sciences.
Teichmann, the current Raman Chair of the India Academy of Sciences, was joined by Prof. Partha Majumder, National Science Chair, Government of India, and RGCB Director Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana.
Discussing advancements in genomics, Teichmann stated, “The Human Cell Atlas has the potential to revolutionize tissue restoration and cell engineering. To harness this potential, we must first understand the molecular basis of our body’s cells and precisely define their types. Achieving this will open up unprecedented opportunities in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating diseases.”
The HCA, co-founded by Teichmann in 2016, is a global consortium aimed at creating a comprehensive reference map of all human cells. Teichmann, who also chairs Stem Cell Medicine at the University of Cambridge, explained, “HCA focuses on mapping healthy human cells, serving as a baseline to compare disease-related changes. This comparison is crucial for biomedical advancements.”
She further highlighted the atlas’s role in identifying viral entry points, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The HCA acts as a guidebook, enabling us to locate viral entry factors, gene expressions for rare and common diseases, hormone receptors, and drug targets. This knowledge is invaluable for understanding side effects, toxicities, and therapeutic approaches.”
As per the press release, the first draft of the Human Cell Atlas, encompassing 40 scientific discoveries, was published in Nature. Teichmann emphasized the collaborative nature of this endeavor, with contributions from scientists worldwide, including India, and its potential to drive significant biomedical advancements.
The Raman Chair, established in 1972 by the Government of India to honor Sir C.V. Raman, has been previously held by eminent scientists, including Nobel laureates Prof. J. B. Goodenough, Prof. Harold E. Varmus, Prof. Ben L. Feringa, Prof. Dorothy Hodgkin, and Prof. B. S. Blumberg.