Epigenomic Profiling With Ultralow-Input Microfluidic Assays: Technology, Biology, and Medicine
Author(s)
Lu, Chang
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Abstract
Epigenome dictates turning on and off genes during normal development and diseases, forming
another layer of regulation on top of gene sequence. Epigenome is cell-type-specific and highly
dynamic over the course of disease and treatment thus offers a treasure trove of information for
precision medicine. However, there is a giant gap between the number of cells that can be derived
from patient samples and millions of cells per assay required by conventional epigenomic assays. In this seminar, I will discuss the role of microfluidics in conducting genome-wide epigenetic analysis
using scarce samples derived from mice and patients. I will argue that microfluidics uniquely
facilitates multi-step molecular biology manipulation required by epigenomic assays and interface
between the assays and next-generation sequencing. I will describe the microfluidic technologies
developed in my lab for profiling histone modifications and DNA methylation. These technologies work
in the 30-200 cells per assay range and offer data quality comparable to those of conventional assays
that require millions of cells. I will also discuss the biological insights we generated into cancer
development and brain functions.
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Date
2018-09-05
Extent
59:39 minutes
Resource Type
Moving Image
Resource Subtype
Lecture