Single Cell Technology for Cancer Biology
Our lab develops microscopy-based single cell sequencing and analysis technologies for cancer research. Using these methods, we can subtype heterogeneous populations of cells and link tumorigenic phenotypes to causative genotypes. We focus on the robust identification and accurate isolation of cells of interest, however rare and dynamic they are, and apply our technologies to investigate tumorigenesis and therapy resistance.
Single cell technology is suitable to analyze rare, heterogeneous and dynamically changing cells such as metastatic cancer cells, but standard cell identification and isolation protocols based on static fluorescence are often not compatible with the reality of cancer research, where we might lack clear biomarkers for cells of interest.
We develop microscopy-based functional single cell identification assays based on time-resolved, quantitative measurements of dynamic variables. We create isolation techniques that allow cell selection based on complex, time-varying and multidimensional parameters. We perform single cell DNA/RNA sequencing and proteomic profiling on cells of interest to relate phenotypic information to genetic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiles. We combine advanced optical techniques and photochemistry to target perturbations and analysis protocols to individual cells within complex cultures or tissues.
Developing tools with a mix of microscopy, image processing, genetic engineering, single cell sequencing and photochemistry gives us access to all stages of single cell research. We apply the tools we develop to investigate the underlying mechanisms of tumorigenesis, metastasis and therapy resistance.
