Katie Young
BME PhD Defense Presentation

Date:2021-11-17
Time: 3:00 pm EST
Location / Meeting Link: In Person Location: Dalney Building Conference Room 180 (926 Dalney Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30332); Virtual Link: https://bluejeans.com/954195697/2716

Committee Members:
Dr. Todd A. Sulchek, Thesis Advisor (Georgia Institute of Technology) Dr. John F. McDonald (Georgia Institute of Technology) Dr. James Dahlman (Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University) Dr. Peng Qiu (Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University) Dr. Wilbur A. Lam (Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University)


Title: Relating Mechanical and Genetic Data at Single Cell Level across the Genome to Investigate Metastasis

Abstract: Nine out of every ten cancer-related deaths is caused by metastasis, but the molecular mechanisms driving this process are still not fully understood. Several studies have implicated that as a cell’s metastatic potential increases, cell stiffness decreases. Yet while certain genes that affect cell mechanics have been studied, a genome-wide study of networks that modulate cell biophysical properties has not been attempted. The long-term goal of this research is to understand the molecular and mechanical mechanisms driving metastasis. To reach this goal, a new methodology was developed to combine mechanical and gene expression data for the same single cells. Additionally, a novel microfluidics approach for cell sorting based upon biophysical properties was leveraged for the high-throughput discovery of genes linked to cell mechanics and metastasis. These approaches led to deeper understanding of how cellular mechanics are regulated within the context of networks of genes associated with increased metastatic potential. I investigated this intersection through the following aims: 1) Create and validate a combined single cell mechanics and gene expression methodology, 2) Identify genes related to mechanical changes in cancer cells through GeCKO high-throughput mechanical screen and 3) Validate phenotypic and mechanotypic importance of genes of interest.