Elucidating transcriptional programs arising from T cell immunological synapses
T cell immunological synapses are physical junctions formed transiently between T cells and antigen presenting cells or tissue cells. The molecular interactions arising from the synapse triggers a decision-making cascade that dictate subsequent T cell activation and differentiation, which ultimately determines the type and strength of the adaptive immune response. Using our platform to sequence RNA from target single cells in microwell plates, we are elucidating the transcriptional programs arising from T cell immunological synapses in order to understand factors influencing T cell decision-making.
Microscopy-based cell sorting
The ability to isolate specific cells from a heterogeneous mixture is fundamentally important in biological research. Current methods rely on fluorescence labeling and flow cytometry, which exclude cell phenotypes that are complex, transient, or could only be identified by microscopy. We are developing a new technology to separate cells based on functions or behaviours observed using microscopy. Leveraging capabilities in instrumentation and computation, we are scaling this technology to provide throughput and user-experience similar to flow cytometry.
Cell deformability as a physical biomarker in malaria and transfusion medicine
Red blood cells perform the critical function of transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide between tissues in the body. This capability is enabled in part by their extraordinary mechanical deformability, which allows these cells to repeatedly squeeze through capillaries many times smaller than their diameter. We are studying the loss of red blood cell deformability as a potential biomarker for measuring antimalarial drug efficacy, as well as for assessing the quality of donor blood in transfusion medicine.
