Cai Lab
We have pioneered the field of single cell spatial genomics, gaining unprecedented insights into the molecular and spatial organization of organisms.What drives us?
Biology is defined by spatial organization at many scales, ranging from meters – the size of the human body – to nanometers (billionths of a meter) – the size of molecules. We develop and utilize breakthrough technologies that allow us to observe the organization inside cells and the processes that drive cell functions.
Our methods answer the technical challenge of how to comprehensively image cell activity within its native environment. We’re able to apply our technologies to some of the most challenging problems in developmental biology, immunology, neuroscience, cancer biology, and microbiology.
Our Technologies
Cai Lab developed seqFISH, a novel imaging technology that allows us to simultaneously visualize tens of thousands of different molecules in a single tissue sample. To achieve this level of molecular information, we combine fluorescence microscopy, DNA labeling nanotechnology, custom fluid handling, and advanced image processing.
In collaboration with the Elowitz Lab at Caltech, we’ve developed MEMOIR – a system that allows us to record cell lineage information and event histories in vivo that can subsequently be readout in situ by seqFISH.
Latest News
“Nuclear Physics”: Imaging into the Heart of a Cell
Delve into the big ideas of Cai Lab's latest research in this interview with authors Yodai Takei and Long Cai. Read the article at caltech.edu "The...
New paper in Nature “Integrated spatial genomics reveals global architecture of single nuclei””
Take a look at the latest work from Cai Lab now in Nature. The work describes a new "single-cell multimodal imaging approach where genome...
Preprint: Global architecture of the nucleus in single cells by DNA seqFISH+ and multiplexed immunofluorescence
Check out our latest preprint with seqFISH-based integrated spatial genomics approach to study chromosome organization, transcriptional states, and...
Connect With Us
We are excited to hear from you. If you have any questions about our work, our lab, or want to collaborate, please send us a message.