SPARCS technology uses AI and microscopy to track cellular genes

Researchers from LMU Munich, the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, and Helmholtz Munich have developed a new technology called SPARCS. This method integrates artificial intelligence with microscopy and genetic screening to study how individual genes influence cell appearance and behavior.

In a study published in the journal Cell, the team used SPARCS to analyze microscopy images of 70 million cells. The technology allows for the identification of complex visual traits across millions of genetically modified cells, enabling the targeted isolation of specific cells. This process helps researchers link cellular effects directly to the genetic changes that cause them.

During a proof-of-concept experiment, the researchers examined autophagy, a cellular recycling process, and the STING innate immune system sensor. The study identified known and new genes regulating autophagosome formation and discovered that the protein GPHR influences the acidity of the Golgi apparatus, which is critical for STING transport and activation. By isolating intact cells, the team was also able to use mass spectrometry to characterize the molecular impact of these genetic changes.