image: Left to right - MD-PhD student Tomer Kagan and Dr. Tal Laviv.
Credit: Tel Aviv University
A novel scientific method developed at Tel Aviv University promises to accelerate our understanding of the gene PTEN, a key player in cellular growth. This breakthrough will help scientists better understand how cells grow and divide, potentially leading to advancements in the treatment of a range of conditions, including developmental disorders and various forms of cancer. The study, led by Dr. Tal Laviv in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Tel Aviv University, was published in the prestigious journal Nature Methods.
The research team explains that cells in the human body constantly adjust their size and rate of division to adapt to their environment throughout life. This process is crucial for normal development, as cells go through periods of precise growth regulation. When this process is disrupted, it can lead to severe diseases such as cancer and developmental disorders.
In the brain, regulating cellular growth is especially critical during early brain development, which occurs in the first years of life. Many genes are involved in this regulation, but one gene in particular—PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin Homologue)—plays a central role. Mutations in PTEN are linked to a variety of conditions, including autism, epilepsy, and cancer.
Dr. Tal Laviv explains, “Many studies have shown that PTEN is essential for regulating cell growth in the brain by providing a stop signal. This means PTEN activity is crucial for maintaining cells at their proper size and state. There is growing evidence that mutations in PTEN, which reduce its activity, contribute to diseases like autism, macrocephaly, cancer, and epilepsy. Despite the critical role PTEN plays in cellular function, scientists have had limited tools to measure its activity. For example, it was not possible to directly measure PTEN activity in an intact brain, which would greatly help our understanding of its role in health and disease.”
Dr. Laviv and his research team, led by MD-PhD student Tomer Kagan, have developed an innovative tool that directly measures PTEN activity with high sensitivity in various research models, including in the intact brains of mice. This groundbreaking technology, which combines advancements in genetic tools and microscopy, will allow scientists to gain deeper insights into why PTEN is so crucial for normal brain development. It could also improve our understanding of how PTEN-related diseases, such as cancer and autism, develop.
The researchers predict that this new tool will enable the development of personalized therapeutics by monitoring PTEN activity in various biological settings. Additionally, it could help identify diseases at earlier stages, potentially leading to faster and more effective treatments.
Link to the article:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-025-02610-9