Consequences of gene expression variations in individual cells

Authors

• CE Ng
• RN Germain

Abstract

Quantitative trait loci are mapped genomic regions that correlate with observed traits and are associated with quantitative variations in gene expression. Such variations can influence phenotypic variations, including outcomes of cellular decisions in individual cells. The effect of even seemingly modest differences or differences occurring in only a small number of cells can generate system-wide effects as a consequence of nonlinear amplification by positive feedback mechanisms at multiple levels, including clonal cell proliferation. In order to begin studying this problem experimentally, we will subtly tune expression of a number of genes in vitro and in vivo and quantify responses, including immune cell signaling and activation, at the single-cell level.

Scientific Focus Area: Immunology

This page was last updated on Friday, March 26, 2021