Single Cell Technologies
This cluster focuses on the development of methods and technologies to probe a single cell.
This goal of this cluster is to build a synergistic scientific and technological platform to investigate one of the most critical building blocks of any biological system – a cell. Through the convergence of biology, computational approaches and engineering, the cluster addresses fundamental biological questions on cellular heterogeneity by developing integrated approaches and technologies to isolate, preserve, characterize and expand rare cells. This approach will enable investigation of basic biological components of single cells at a higher resolution and holds the promise of transforming the study, diagnosis and treatment of every disease. The cluster builds upon an existing ecosystem of UM investigators with complementary research excellence and active collaborations from engineering, physical sciences, life sciences and the medical school.
Three-dimensional (3D) adipose tissue organoids for disease modeling. Lipid (red), actin (green), nucleus (blue).
Cell in an engineered scaffold
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Our Single Cell Technologies Researchers
Advanced Materials and Drug Delivery
Learn MoreBioInnovations in Brain Cancer
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Kathryn Luker
Associate Research Scientist of Radiology Research Focus: Single Cell Technologies, Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]The Luker lab combines innovative optical imaging with computational modeling to discover how single-cell signaling in the tumor microenvironment regulates breast cancer progression and response to therapy.
Jae-Won Shin
Associate Professor of Dentistry, Department of Biologic and Materials Science, School of Dentistry and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Medical School Research Focus: Nanotechnology, Single Cell Technologies, Advanced Materials and Drug Delivery, Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]The Shin lab is dedicated to advancing regenerative medicine by elucidating how cells construct and remodel their microenvironments in both health and disease. They focus on precisely directing donor cells and modulating host tissue responses to promote effective repair of injury, degeneration, and fibrosis—conditions responsible for nearly half of all deaths in developed countries. Through multidisciplinary approaches that integrate biomaterial engineering, microtechnology, and physical biology, they design instructive cellular niches at the single cell level, guide host tissue remodeling, and investigate the roles of extracellular vesicles and particles in regulating regeneration. Their research centers on vital organs, including bone marrow, bone, craniofacial structures, vasculature, and lungs, aiming to translate fundamental insights into innovative therapies that restore tissue function and improve patient outcomes.
Evan Keller
Richard and Susan Rogel Professor of Oncology; Professor of Urology and Pathology; Associate Professor of Comparative Pathology Research Focus: Single Cell Technologies, Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]The Keller Group focuses on the biology of cancer metastasis and explores genes that regulate metastasis and the interaction between the bone microenvironment and cancer cells. Researchers perform translational studies to enable movement of research findings into clinics.
Sunitha Nagrath
Professor of Chemical Engineering Research Focus: Single Cell Technologies, Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]The Nagrath lab research focuses on developing integrated nano- and microfluidic technologies for understanding cell trafficking in cancer through isolation, characterization, and the study of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood of cancer patients.
Carlos Aguilar
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering, Single Cell Technologies Contact Information:[email protected]Aguilar’s NOBEL lab develops, optimizes and applies innovative technologies such as integrative genomic assays and high-throughput sequencing, micro/nanofabricated devices, genome editing and computational modeling to its primary area of focus, which is skeletal muscle.
Nicholas Kotov
Irving Langmuir Distinguished University Professor of Chemical Sciences and Engineering; Joseph B. and Florence V. Cejka Professor of Engineering; Professor of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Macromolecular Science and Engineering Research Focus: Single Cell Technologies, Nanotechnology Contact Information:[email protected]Research in the Kotov Group focuses on self-organization of nanocolloids, layer-by-layer assembly, ultrastrong nanocomposites, tissue engineering with nanomaterials, nanoscale drugs, and implantable biomedical devices.
Tony Rosenzweig
Professor of Internal Medicine and Center Director of the MM Institute for Heart & Brain Health, Medical School Research Focus: Single Cell Technologies, Cell and Tissue Engineering Contact Information:[email protected]Research interests have focused on identifying new mechanisms and targets in heart failure, with a particular interest in noncoding RNA pathways. The lab has had a longstanding interest in understanding how exercise protects against cardiovascular disease and how this interacts with aging. We have a growing interest in heart-brain connections – understanding common pathways and cross-talk between these organs – and leveraging those insights for novel therapies.
Deepak Nagrath
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering, BioInnovations in Brain Cancer, Single Cell Technologies Contact Information:[email protected]The Nagrath lab focuses on both experimental and theoretical aspects of Cellular and Molecular Tissue Engineering, Metabolic Engineering, and Biomedicine with emphasis on clinical applications. Our research interests lie in the systems biology of metabolic diseases, specifically cancer.
Max Wicha
Madeline and Sidney Forbes Professor of Oncology; Professor of Internal Medicine Research Focus: Cell and Tissue Engineering, Single Cell Technologies Contact Information:[email protected]Wicha researchers study the biology of stem cells in the normal mammary gland and breast cancers by isolating and characterizing normal and malignant mammary stem cells and the changes in these key cells during carcinogenesis.
Joerg Lahann
Wolfgang Pauli Collegiate Professor of Chemical Engineering; Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Macromolecular Science and Engineering Research Focus: BioInnovations in Brain Cancer, Single Cell Technologies, Advanced Materials and Drug Delivery Contact Information:[email protected]Research in the Lahann Lab focuses on surface engineering, advanced polymers, biomimetic materials, engineered stem cell microenvironments, drug delivery, and nano-scale self-assembly.