Blainey Laboratory

The Blainey laboratory employs a multi-disciplinary approach to develop research tools enabling new measurement capability in biological science, with emphasis on implementing these capabilities in automated lab-on-a-chip formats for high-throughput, multi-parametric, low-cost, or portable application. We use these tools and chemical, physical, and statistical modes of thinking to address research problems in the biological sciences.

The Blainey group integrates new microfluidic, optical, and molecular tools for application in biology and medicine. We emphasize high-throughput quantitative single-cell and single-molecule approaches, aiming to enable multiparametric studies with the power to reveal the workings of natural and engineered biological systems across a range of scales. We use these tools and chemical, physical, and statistical modes of thinking to address research problems in the biological sciences.

AREAS OF FOCUS

(*) Droplets Population genomics in natural and engineered systems -- We apply single-cell imaging, manipulation, and sequencing tools to study populations of cells in lab cultures as well as samples from the human body and the natural environment. By accurately sequencing individual microbial and human cells and correlating these data with phenotypic information, we can discover new relationships and characterize populations free of culture bias.

(*) Scope Biophysics of Protein-DNA interaction -- The ability of DNA-binding proteins such as DNA repair proteins and transcription factors to move along DNA is thought to be important for their function in cells. We use single-molecule methods to study this activity in natural and engineered proteins, and are applying new tools to gain insight into the structural and dynamic basis for facilitated diffusion as well as its impact in a cellular context.

(*) Gels Single-molecule and single-cell analysis -- The group develops and integrates microfabrication, microfluidic, biochemical, and optical technologies for high-throughput single-cell and single-molecule analyses. Our goal is to streamline experimental science by closely coupling all the steps in experimental workflows, oftentimes within custom microfluidic devices. We also strive to integrate data analysis as closely as possible with data collection such that analysis can effectively inform experimental design.