BioE Seminar: New Genomic Technologies to Measure and Manipulate Cell Identity

Cell reprogramming can be achieved by ectopically expressing transcription factors (TFs) to directly induce fully-differentiated cells to adopt alternate identities, generating therapeutically useful cell types. This approach, termed 'direct lineage reprogramming' has generated an array of diverse cell identities to date. The inefficiency of reprogramming and heterogeneity of cells generated by these protocols have largely precluded mechanistic analysis. To overcome these challenges, we have developed innovative technologies to permit lineage tracing and recording of TF binding, in parallel with measurement of cell identity, at single-cell resolution. Based on our previous findings and preliminary data, we hypothesize that cells can be coaxed onto desired reprogramming trajectories from the outset of cell fate conversion via the precise manipulation of gene regulatory networks (GRNs).

Registration Link: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8oAJOVBMcEMfy3H