Normally, cells must be lysed for a so-called transcriptome analysis - which reveals which genes are currently being expressed - making repeated measurements on the same cells impossible.
Technical University of Munich May 5 2026 Until now, studying the genetic processes in cells required destroying them - making it impossible to observe these processes over extended periods of time.
A team from the Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Munich has developed a new method to repeatedly obtain up-to-date genetic information from living cells. In the future, this will enable better monitoring of stem cells for therapies or the effects of drugs within cells. Normally, cells must be lysed for a so-called transcriptome analysis - which reveals which genes are currently being expressed - making repeated measurements on the same cells impossible.
The research team led by Gil Westmeyer, Professor of Neurobiological Engineering at TUM, uses virus-like particles for their new process, called NTVE . These particles shuttle messenger RNA - the active gene products - out of living cells. The RNA is then extracted from the bubbles outside the cell and analyzed. This allows researchers to determine which genes are currently active.
The results obtained through the new process show excellent concordance with comparative measurements using the conventional standard method - without the critical drawback of permanently destroying the cell being studied. The new method therefore allows for repeated sampling over several days, for example to closely monitor the differentiation of stem cells into cardiomyocytes or germ layers. It also works in neurons and mixed cell populations, enabling analysis of cell-to-cell communication.
Hope for better treatments for serious diseases This method provides biomedical research with a powerful new tool. We will gain day-by-day insights into the maturation and functionality of stem cells. This could make future cell therapies more precise and effective.
" Gil Westmeyer, Professor of Neurobiological Engineering at TUM First author Niklas Armbrust and co-corresponding author Dr. Jeffery Truong add: "Our new method also makes it possible to genetically prepare cells for implantation into tissue. In addition, NTVE can potentially be used for long-term analysis of organoids as well as for further research into tumors and their intercellular communication.
" Source:Technical University of Munich Journal reference:Armbrust, N., et al. . Non-destructive transcriptomics via vesicular export. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-72072-w. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-72072-w
Cell Gene Genes Medicine Neurons Research RNA Stem Cells Transcriptomics Virus
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