Bringing patient samples to large scale infrastructures - new theme at LINXS aims to increase knowledge in imaging and scattering for health insights

To fully understand human health and disease, structural insight at all scales - from atomic to tissue is required. Yet, up to now very few patient samples have been studied at large scale infrastructures such as MAX IV and ESS. A new LINXS theme, Scattering and Imaging for Health Insights and New Evidence (SHINE), aims to increase knowledge in the analyses of clinical samples with electron microscopy in combination with X-rays.

Professor Karin Lindkvist leads the new Theme SHINE at LINXS. Previously she led the IPDD theme.

– This is a completely new venture for us. Patient samples are not what you traditionally analyse in the beamlines so there are many scientific challenges to solve and think about, says theme leader Karin Lindkvist, Professor at the Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University.

The theme will focus specifically on the study of four different types of diseases and their associated patient samples. The theme will have four working groups: WG1: Metabolic diseases; WG2: Airway diseases; WG3: Transmittable diseases; and WG4: Neurodegenerative diseases.

– These four areas represent disease groups where we think the study of patient samples can yield interesting knowledge. They are also some of the most common diseases to impact human health, says Karin Lindkvist.

That the research field is largely unexplored is because one could not perform these types of experiments before, explains Karin Lindkvist. Now advances in electron microscopy have enabled high resolution studies of tissues in microscopes.

Some of the techniques the theme plan to explore are not yet available at MAX IV, for example electron tomography. Thus, theme members will also collaborate with other environments and infrastructures. Yet, the overall aim of the theme is not to collect data, but rather to create awareness of what is possible to do with human tissue.

– This theme is very much a starting point! For highlighting new possibilities, for discussing how to perform experiments; and for connecting clinical research to the facilities.

New techniques afford new possibilities to progress science on disease and cures

Karin Lindkvist is excited about what one will be able to elucidate through using electron microscopy in combination with X-rays in the future.

– Commonly, we study single protein behaviour in a tube; and get to know that protein pretty well. With these types of experiments, we will be able to see how different proteins interact with each other, and how they react to different drugs in situ for example.

It will also be possible to perform experiments where one treats the patient samples in different ways to ascertain affects such as trafficking or unfolding of proteins. One long-term goal for the field as a whole is to create artificial tissue and organoids, miniature 3D models or organs grown in the lab that mimic the structure and function of their corresponding organs. Other goals include progressing research on reducing negative effects of diabetes, by recreating insulin producing cells.

– To progress research on eradicating metabolic disease such as diabetes, or on organoids, one needs more fundamental understanding of cell and protein behaviour, structure and interaction in human systems. This can only be produced through the study of patient samples.

At the end of the theme, Karin Lindkvist hopes that they have created a network of users who are actively turning to advanced techniques for human tissue research. The theme especially wants to reach clinicians that have access to patient samples and researchers who are already studying human tissue but not in a structural way.

– I am excited about what this theme will bring. In contrast to the other themes, I have been involved with at LINXS, this research is pretty much in its infancy. We have great opportunity to gather expertise and impacts its direction!