Enable cutting-edge human health and environmental sustainability research

High-resolution science through single-cell genomics

Your contribution will go directly towards next-generation single-cell genomics equipment. Single-cell genomics is a critical tool in for advancing cancer, immune system, brain, and environmental research programs at JCVI.

J. Craig Venter Institute has been at the forefront of a powerful, growing field in biology called single-cell genomics for more than a decade. Our work in this area has contributed significantly to understanding the human immune system and brain. While traditional approaches to examining RNA let us see an “average” view of what genes are doing, single-cell genomics lets us delve into the characteristics of individual cells.

Examining individual cells is done through a process called flow cytometry. With this technique, individual cells or particles suspended in a solution pass through a laser beam. The laser beam excites the cells’ fluorescently labeled components, causing them to emit light at different wavelengths. This light is measured by specialized sensors and converted into data that elucidates the identity of each individual cell.

Cutting-edge research requires cutting-edge equipment. During this season of giving, we are raising funds for a flow cytometer. This piece of equipment will support all areas of research at JCVI, from human health and disease to the environment.

Flow cytometry plays a pivotal role in advancing basic science research by enabling scientists to analyze and quantify individual cells with remarkable precision. This technology allows researchers to examine multiple characteristics of cells simultaneously, such as size, shape, and surface markers, providing valuable insights into cellular functions and heterogeneity. In particular, flow cytometers are instrumental in resolving single-cell genomics data.

This technique has had a transformative impact on various fields of research, particularly in understanding complex biological systems such as development, immunology, neurobiology, and oncology. In developmental biology, single-cell transcriptomics has enabled the mapping of gene expression trajectories during embryonic development, offering insights into lineage commitment and cell fate decisions at unprecedented resolution. In immunology, it has facilitated the identification of rare immune cell subsets and provided a deeper understanding of immune responses in health and disease.

In the realm of neurobiology, single-cell transcriptomics has been instrumental in deciphering the diversity of neuronal cell types and unraveling the molecular basis of brain function. Moreover, in oncology, this technology has proven invaluable for characterizing intratumoral heterogeneity, identifying cancer stem cells, and understanding the dynamic changes in gene expression during disease progression and treatment resistance.

The ability to analyze individual cells at the transcriptomic level has also paved the way for personalized medicine. By capturing the unique gene expression profiles of individual cells, researchers and clinicians can tailor therapeutic strategies based on a patient's specific molecular profile, ultimately leading to more precise and effective treatments.