Presenter Information

Jun Wang, University of Rhode Island

Location

Cherry Auditorium, Kirk Hall

Start Date

3-6-2014 3:30 PM

End Date

6-3-2014 4:30 PM

Description

With recent progress in high-throughput single-cell analysis, we gradually realize that most multicellular systems are intrinsically heterogeneous. However, how the cellular heterogeneity emerges is not well understood, which is largely limited by the availability of single-cell tools. To answer this question and address the need for clinical diagnosis, I have developed two high-throughput barcode microchips for the analysis of single-cell proteome and transcriptome. Compelling evidences show that cell-cell interactions can significantly induce heterogeneity and redirect cell development. In the first part of my talk, I will describe the principle of the barcode microchip for single-cell or two-cell proteomic analysis and its application to cancer cell interactions. We have found cancer cell communications strongly influence oncogenic signaling in a manner that is dependent upon the mutations carried by the cells, and on the separation distance between the interacting cells. We have developed a theoretic approach that permits the translation of these functional proteomics assays of quantized cell populations into accurate and experimentally verifiable predictions for how those cells will distribute in bulk culture. In the second part of my talk, I will focus on single-cell proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of cell-cell interactions of embryonic stem cells (ESC). ESCs spontaneously form in vitro niche to sustain their growth and proliferation under a feeder-free condition. We discovered that the subpopulations that are capable of secreting growth factors are dynamically changed along with the expansion of a colony. Using the barcode microchip technology, we profiled the transcriptional networks of functionally distinctive stem cells that act as feeder cells and form in vitro niche. In all, the use of single-cell barcode microchips can reveal the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of complex systems, and will be helpful to advance cancer therapy development and tissue engineering in the future.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Jun Wang is a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, NanoSystems Biology Cancer Center, Kavli Nanoscience Institute, at the California Institute of Technology working with Dr. James Heath since 2010. He earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University under the guidance of Dr. Chang Lu (moved to Virginia Tech at 2010). His work has been published in leading scientific journals such as Science and PNAS, and broadly profiled in coverage by Nature, Chemistry & Engineering News, Chemical Engineering Progress, Biophotonics International, etc. He has received several highest Purdue University awards and international awards, including Chorafas Foundation prize. He has mentored 10 undergraduate and graduate students, and holds 5 issued or pending patents.

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Mar 6th, 3:30 PM Mar 6th, 4:30 PM

Barcode Microchips for Single-Cell Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analyses

Cherry Auditorium, Kirk Hall

With recent progress in high-throughput single-cell analysis, we gradually realize that most multicellular systems are intrinsically heterogeneous. However, how the cellular heterogeneity emerges is not well understood, which is largely limited by the availability of single-cell tools. To answer this question and address the need for clinical diagnosis, I have developed two high-throughput barcode microchips for the analysis of single-cell proteome and transcriptome. Compelling evidences show that cell-cell interactions can significantly induce heterogeneity and redirect cell development. In the first part of my talk, I will describe the principle of the barcode microchip for single-cell or two-cell proteomic analysis and its application to cancer cell interactions. We have found cancer cell communications strongly influence oncogenic signaling in a manner that is dependent upon the mutations carried by the cells, and on the separation distance between the interacting cells. We have developed a theoretic approach that permits the translation of these functional proteomics assays of quantized cell populations into accurate and experimentally verifiable predictions for how those cells will distribute in bulk culture. In the second part of my talk, I will focus on single-cell proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of cell-cell interactions of embryonic stem cells (ESC). ESCs spontaneously form in vitro niche to sustain their growth and proliferation under a feeder-free condition. We discovered that the subpopulations that are capable of secreting growth factors are dynamically changed along with the expansion of a colony. Using the barcode microchip technology, we profiled the transcriptional networks of functionally distinctive stem cells that act as feeder cells and form in vitro niche. In all, the use of single-cell barcode microchips can reveal the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of complex systems, and will be helpful to advance cancer therapy development and tissue engineering in the future.