FuncOmap Developed to Map Functional States of Oncoproteins

University of Bath scientists have developed a new method to quantify heterogeneity in patient response and improve accurate patient stratification. In a paper published in BJC reports, they describe their method and its use in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), where identifying the most effective drug regimen can be difficult.

The team’s approach to improve patient stratification centered around the use of quantitative molecular imaging. They harnessed two-site amplified time-resolved Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (aiFRET), with FRET-Efficiency, which is detected by multiple frequency domain fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (mfFLIM).

However, results from this approach can be difficult to interpret so they developed Functional Oncology Map (FuncOmap), which directly maps functional states of oncoproteins and allows quantification at an enhanced spatial resolution.  According to the team, this technology allows clinicians to pinpoint where oncoproteins are active within tumors, enabling more accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment decisions.

According to senior author Banafshé Larijani, “Our new computational analysis tool uses precision to directly map the functional states of oncoproteins in patients’ tumor sections, so that clinicians can improve patient stratification, enabling personalized medicine.”