Samantha Morris, PhD
Associate Professor
Departments of Developmental Biology & Genetics
Washington University School of Medicine

Department of Genetics

What are my cells? A journey into cell identity and new genomic technologies

Hosted by:  Dr. Joe Dougherty
In-person only:  Connor Auditorium (FLTC)

Talk abstract:  A mechanistic understanding of how cell identity is established and maintained is fundamental to the precise engineering of cell fate. Here, I will present new genomic technologies developed by my lab to permit single-cell lineage tracing throughout reprogramming, accompanied by recording of TF-binding and chromatin accessibility profiling. Integrating this information using our unique computational tools for interrogating gene regulatory networks delivers a systems-level understanding of how cell identity can be manipulated via lineage reprogramming. We also apply these methods to understand how cell identity is naturally programmed during differentiation and development. The deconstruction of cell identity via these approaches supports precision engineering of cell fate.”