Complex biological processes are driven by the coordinated interactions of individual cells, yet cellular heterogeneity and the molecular mechanisms underlying cell specific functions remain incompletely understood.
The Single Cell and Spatial Proteomics Laboratory develops next-generation mass spectrometry-based technologies for sensitive, comprehensive, and quantitative proteome profiling at single cell resolution and across spatially resolved biological contexts. Our research focuses on overcoming key analytical challenges in single cell proteomics.
Sensitivity & reproducibility
Limited robustness and proteome coverage across individual cells
Throughput & scalability
Low throughput and limited scalability compared with scRNA-seq
Biological relevance
Predominant focus on method development using cell lines
Molecular depth
Limited technologies for studying PTMs and non-canonical events
Building a world-leading program in single cell and spatial proteomics for biomedical research
Aim 1
Ultra-sensitive and high-throughput proteomics for single cell analysis
ApplicationsCell lines · Primary cells (immune cells)
Technologies developed in Aim 1 are transferred to Aim 2.
Aim 2
Mapping proteins in space and at subcellular resolution
ApplicationsTissues and FFPE tissues · Cancers (tumor microenvironment) · Neurodegenerative diseases
Aim 3
Enabling advanced single cell proteomics data analysis, trained on data generated in Aims 1 and 2
Expected outcomes
By advancing single cell and spatial proteomics, we aim to uncover novel cancer biology, deepen our understanding of tumor heterogeneity and cancer progression, and improve cancer diagnosis and treatment.