A research team, headed by Professor Guo Tiannan from Westlake University and working in tandem with several research institutions, gathered close to 3,000 human tissue samples. These samples encompassed 58 types of normal tissues and 25 types of cancers. The team carried out a quantitative analysis of more than 13,000 proteins, ultimately crafting the human proteome’s spatial map with the highest resolution and the broadest scope to date. The relevant research results have been published in the esteemed journal Nature, and all the data have been made freely accessible across the globe.

Moreover, the research team devised a proteomic analysis method tailored for trace samples. This innovation allows for standardized analysis using extremely small tissue samples, thereby enhancing analysis efficiency and cutting down on costs. The study established a database housing 15,332 proteins and accurately quantified 13,609 of them. Leveraging this map, the team compared the differences in protein expression between tumors and adjacent tissues across 25 types of cancers, pinpointing 8,940 differentially expressed proteins. They observed notable disparities in protein alterations among various cancer types. Specifically, colon, rectal, and testicular cancers exhibited the most significant changes. Additionally, they uncovered 2,879 tumor-specific proteins.

This remarkable feat is anticipated to propel drug development forward. It enables the precise screening of new drug targets, the exploration of novel targets for existing drugs, and the facilitation of repurposing old drugs for new applications.