Researchers from EPFL have developed a new method to map cell-signaling molecules to their targets. The method, called iMAP, combines computational modeling with experimental data to identify the interactions between signaling molecules and their targets in a cell.

Cell signaling is a complex process that allows cells to communicate with each other and respond to their environment. It involves a series of molecular interactions, in which signaling molecules bind to specific targets on the cell surface or inside the cell. These interactions trigger a cascade of events that lead to a cellular response.

Understanding cell signaling is essential for understanding how cells function and how they respond to their environment. Dysregulated cell signaling can lead to a variety of diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

The new method developed by the EPFL researchers is a significant advance in the field of cell signaling research. It provides a way to systematically map the interactions between signaling molecules and their targets, which will help researchers to better understand how cells function and how they respond to their environment.

The researchers tested the new method on a signaling pathway involved in the regulation of cell growth. They were able to identify all the interactions between the signaling molecules and their targets in this pathway, and to determine how these interactions regulate cell growth.

The new method is expected to have a major impact on the field of cell signaling research. It will enable researchers to systematically study the interactions between signaling molecules and their targets, and to better understand how cells function and how they respond to their environment. This knowledge will be essential for developing new therapies for diseases caused by dysregulated cell signaling.