Using phenotypic screening in microfluidic droplets to probe and perturb cellular functions

The aim of this project is to advance and optimise droplet-based linkages between cellular phenotypes and molecular processes. Analogous to large-scale genetic screening (for genotype-phenotype linkage), phenotypic screening would render the entire screening process significantly quicker and require much less human intervention. Protein library selections for proteins of defined functions, e.g. enrichment of a known cancer immunotherapy, such as a pro-apoptotic antibody, may provide routes to therapeutics. We will apply this generic technology to various questions, and biological processes (such as apoptosis, differentiation, reprogramming, proliferation etc.) that can be triggered within the target cell by selectable members of an antibody library.