Mike VanInsberghe
Ph.D. Program
Previous Degree: B.Sc. Biophysics
2010 Cohort
Heterogeneity exists in biological systems at levels ranging from subtle molecular differences to obvious variance in organisms. In spite of this variance, the majority of the current molecular biological knowledge has arisen from studying ensemble averages of large populations of cells. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that identifying and assessing this heterogeneity is required in order to address both fundamental and applied questions. My research aims to exploit the precise fluid handling capabilities inherent in microfluidic integration to develop, optimize and apply tools for both specific and genome-wide cell population profiling at a single cell resolution. We hypothesize that the increased precision and sensitivity characteristic of these systems will provide answers to questions related to differentiation and development, gene expression and the origins and development of disease.
Supervisor: Carl Hansen
