“Blood and non-invasive diagnostics” is a topic that is intimately connected to broad aspects of human lives. At around 3 pm on October 15th, Dr. Kun Sun, a principal investigator from the Institute of Cancer Research in Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, was delivering an enlightening lecture in the Halo theatre of SCIE, introducing the audience to how cell-free DNA (cfDNA) might leverage the realm of non-invasive diagnostics.
“You are small, but you are not small.”
This line from Tagore could best summarise my first impressions of cell-free DNA. I have been fascinated by the significant amount of information that can be stored in these tiny biomarkers since last year, yet there were so many questions that remained unsolved according to existing literature. Therefore, when Ms. Apurva Sarkar sent Dr. Sun’s profile to me, and when I spotted terms such as “cfDNA” and “pioneer” within his numerous research achievements, my shock and excitement were not suppressible.
Genetic mutations, next-generation sequencing, liquid biopsy – these terms, which had previously flashed across my mind, transformed into vivid concepts just within that fleeting hour. They were delicately shaped, coloured with treasure, and had reflected the heights and depths of the foundation established by generations of molecular biologists.
Early cancer screening, a set of vocabulary that was repeatedly reinforced in Dr. Sun’s lecture. He utilised a set of surging data, emphasising the fact that no one can take the risks of ignoring the severity of cancers. The capability of detecting signs of malignancy in the early stages of tumour development is exceptionally crucial for improving the five-year survival rates of cancer patients. However, the command for precision and sensitivity in desired detection techniques were remarkably high, whereas the existing approaches available for their references were very limited. Still, he and his team asserted that “scientific research must always be rooted in the needs of the populace”.
Then, he boldly envisioned that cfDNA and liquid biopsy could probably meet their needs.
Cell-free DNA (or cfDNA) refers to the DNA fragments potentially released into body fluids, especially blood, across all life stages. Given that nature can compile billions of years of evolutionary stories within the merely 2nm-wide double helix, these short DNA fragments (~166bp) circulating in the peripheral blood are undoubtedly a gift from nature for researchers in the field of life sciences. According to Dr. Sun, only 1ml peripheral blood is required for their liquid biopsy techniques; after processing the isolated blood plasma sample, sufficient cfDNA can be obtained to act as biomarkers for DNA sequencing and data analysis.
By examining a vast array of cfDNA, the opus on the whole genome can be digested into short phrases, with each character potentially yielding profound insights for the researchers to obtain. Building upon the extensive sequencing data, Dr. Sun developed a series of bioinformatic models. They were the massive troops capturing every slight hint of mutated genes and cancerous tissues, illuminating paths for doctor diagnosis and saving time for patient treatments.
While mentioning their achievements of which SZBL owned the completely independent intellectual property rights, and reinforcing the super performance of their techniques in early cancer screening and cancer recurrence detection compared to conventional methods, a bright smile graced Dr. Sun’s face. Over twenty years ago, his mentor, Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, first invented the non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) alongside the discovery of cfDNA; while right now, Dr. Sun and his team continues to delve deep into these small but not insignificant DNA fragments, which could probably transform the impossible into the possible.
Approaching the end of the lecture, many students spoke out their thoughts to Dr. Sun. Sun responded with his valuable insights on molecular mechanisms, potential applications, and promising outlooks for this technique. Rapid breaths were amplified by the microphone trembling in my hands; all of a sudden, memories of moments in my internship in SZBL two months ago flashed back frame by frame.
There was the moment when I struggled to understand some complex diagrams from the journals; my senior, as well as the first author of the paper, promptly did me the favour, “Hey, let me show you our raw data”.
There was the moment when I got confused in navigating my literature report; my PI Li Gang immediately encouraged me, “As long as you can convince yourself that what you’re doing is interesting, go for it.”
There were countless moments of temporary moves gathering to long-lasting moving: the distance to scientific research can be stunningly approachable, and the motives for scientific research can be incredibly lively and lovely.
As I write this article, I frequently reflect on why I found this hour with Dr. Sun so precious. It could be due to the months of coordination between our Principal Team and Science Department with teachers at Shenzhen Bay Laboratory. It could be due to the joy of harvesting gradually dispelling the clouds of confusion floating in dozens of curious eyes in the audience. It could also be due to the long-held questions in my brain finally being resolved, and the answers were not only stated in the simple past or simple future, but also the present tense contributed by the collective efforts of research teams all around the world.
Being small yet not small, and being flowing but not blurring. So, let us embark on the genetic codes circulating in our blood; let the sparks ignite at this moment to carry on broadening the horizons of life sciences.
Article｜Lucy Cai
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