Mapping where immune and tumor cells live inside cancers
Spatial genomic tools to interrogate T cell clonotypes, tumor clones and the microenvironment
We are mapping where a patient’s T cells and tumor cells sit inside cancers to help find immune reactions that could guide better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259450 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We will examine tumor tissue samples to map the positions of individual T cells and tumor cell clones using high-resolution spatial genomics and sequencing. The team will link each T cell’s receptor to its likely antigen and see where those antigen-specific T cells sit relative to tumor clones. The work combines tissue-based spatial profiling (Slide-seq) with targeted single-cell TCR sequencing and computational antigen prediction tools. By comparing patterns across patients and treatment states, the project aims to identify spatial signatures tied to immune response.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with cancer who can donate tumor tissue (for example from surgery or biopsy) to the research team.
Not a fit: People without cancer, or cancer patients who cannot provide tumor samples or whose tumors are not accessible for sampling, would not directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reveal which immune cells are attacking tumors and help personalize immunotherapies or uncover new therapeutic targets.
How similar studies have performed: Several component technologies (TCR sequencing, HLAthena antigen prediction, and Slide-seq spatial profiling) have shown promise individually, but combining them to map antigen-specific T cells in space is a new, emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Broad Institute, INC. — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Fei — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Chen, Fei
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.