Wellcome responds to 'milestone' moment in Human Cell Atlas project

Dr Katrina Gold, Research Lead in Discovery Research at Wellcome, said:

“By aiming to map all the cells in the human body, the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) is tackling one of biology’s most ambitious grand challenges. The studies published this week contain rich, foundational data that unearth insights into human biology, including how we develop in the earliest stages of life. 

"This work also highlights the importance of computational approaches and new technologies for driving new understanding. This collection of papers is a true milestone for HCA. Researchers now have the foundation to start building the first draft of a universal Atlas, which could be likened to a guidebook for a limb, organ, or even the whole body. When complete, it could transform the ways we diagnose, monitor and treat diseases.

“Wellcome is proud to be among the global funders of the HCA. The project, which has built a vibrant global community to work openly and in partnership, represents discovery science at its best. Transformative research such as this is vital to make new breakthroughs that could have major implications for health around the world.”