October 2019 - our fancy mass-specs are here!
Methods used in the Kanarek Lab
Metabolite profiling by mass spectrometry
We have two in-house mass spectrometers (Thermo Q-Exactive) that allow us to detect folate, nucleotides, amino acids, sugars and other relevant metabolites in cells, tissues, tumors and whatnot.
CRISPR/Cas9 functional genomic screens
We use functional genomics to reveal essential genes for metabolic adaptability of different cell types.
We screen cell lines and primary cells, and we screen cells in culture and in vivo, all in accordance with the biological question we want to address.
CRISPR-based individual gene knockouts
We use the most up-to-date genetic tools available in order to study metabolic adaptability in a rigorous way. We really like to perturb genes when we study them so we can have a powerful handle to assess the function of the studied genes.
In vivo tumor models
In order to study immune cell adaptability in tumors, and to research cancer cells in their primary or secondary location, we use models that are as close as possible to the human disease, such as orthotopic xenografts and patient-derived xenografts.
Transgenic mice
We use mice that are the best fitting model for our biological questions.
Molecular biology
As part of our research we are required to maintain expertise in cutting-edge molecular biology tools: cloning, gene targeting, mutagenesis, and synthetic genes are just some of the tools we need to apply in order to robustly study cellular metabolic adaptation.
Biochemistry
We study signal transduction, transcription, apoptosis, DNA damage, and other cellular processes that require comprehensive biochemical work.