A new study has revealed previously unseen details of how individual cells come together to form the intricate architecture of breast tissue. Scientists from the Francis Crick Institute have developed a way of capturing large-scale images of breast cell communities as they grow in the lab, and have used this to reconstruct a 3D map of how the cells organize into tissue.

The team found that breast cells self-organize into structures called acini - grape-like clusters of cells that are the basic building blocks of breast tissue. They observed that the cells in these structures follow specific rules, positioning themselves in a way that maximizes the efficiency of the tissue as a whole. For example, the cells at the center of the acini are more metabolically active and divide more quickly, while those on the outside form a protective barrier.

By understanding the precise mechanisms by which breast cells organize into tissue, scientists hope to learn more about how breast cancer develops and spreads. This knowledge could lead to new ways to detect and treat breast cancer at earlier stages, and to develop more effective therapies.

"Our study provides a new understanding of how breast tissue is formed," says Professor Clare Isacke, who led the research team. "This knowledge is essential for understanding how breast cancer develops and how we can target it more effectively."

The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.