Scientists form IIT Madras discover how inter-organ communication works

Chennai Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have developed a computational approach to understand the interactions between genes that are responsible for inter-organ communication within the body. Communication among cells in different tissues and organs is pivotal to multi-cellular life. Molecular basis of such communication has long been studied, but genome-wide screens for genes and other biomolecules mediating tissue-tissue signalling are lacking.

To systematically identify inter-tissue mediators, the team developed MultiCens or Multilayer/Multi-tissue network Centrality measures, which enables the exchange of information between organs and tissues of the body, and is critical for the proper functioning and survival of all living organisms.

This inter-organ communication network (ICN), described in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS Computational Biology, also allows organisms to adapt to changes in their environment, assess their energy reserves, and maintain overall well-being.

“Much of the research on the ICN has primarily involved experiments on model organisms like the fruit fly, which may not directly apply to humans and other non-model organisms,” said Prof. B. Ravindran, a faculty in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Madras.