The human body contains trillions of individual cells, and inside each resides a unique genetic code. Single-cell RNA sequencing enables researchers to study the mechanics of individual cells and identify the processes underlying disease states — valuable information that helps predict disease susceptibility, or resistance, to drug therapies.

 

  This is particularly important in the study of cancer, as cells are constantly mutating. Single-cell sequencing allows investigators to observe these patterns of mutations at a micro-level. In episode 23 of TGen Talks, Dr. Sen Peng, a computational scientist with TGen’s Brain Tumor Unit, discusses how data from single-cell sequencing allows Dr. Peng and his colleagues to study — and make inroads against — the deadly brain cancer, glioblastoma. 

  Dr. Peng also discusses work with colleagues at City of Hope and elsewhere, and his future plans for studying glioblastoma.