New genetic, imaging and microfluidics technologies for single cell genomics (360G-Wellcome-108438_C_15_Z)

<table> <tbody> <tr> <td>Two major limitations of single cell genomics is (i) the loss of information &nbsp; about the original location within the sample of the sequenced cell and (ii) &nbsp; low throughput at high cost with only hundreds of cells analysed per day. &nbsp; Miniaturising single cell analysis to pico-litre volumes will critically &nbsp; facilitate higher throughput (10^4 - 10^6cells) at lower costs and sidesteps &nbsp; restrictions in handling. Combined with genetic technologies to record &nbsp; lineage history and spatially localise cells this w ill allow questions to be &nbsp; address at single cell resolution that are essential to understand cell &nbsp; diversification following tissue-contextual interactions and the impact it &nbsp; has on gene transcription. 1) We will develop microfluidics based devices to &nbsp; increase sequencing throughput by increasing the number of cells processed at &nbsp; a low cost, and at the same time enabling the complex handling and &nbsp; manipulation of small cell numbers with minimal loss. 2) We will develop &nbsp; genetic technology to: i)&nbsp; record &nbsp; within the genome the lineage history of each cell, for readout at any stage &nbsp; of interest and ii) to provide a unique fluorescent signature to cells to &nbsp; enable us to provide spatial and temporal context to their transcriptional &nbsp; profiles.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

£410,687

11 Jun 2015