The Garg lab is interested in the processes that generate heterogeneity in tumors and development. We investigate the structures of genes and networks to understand how they contribute to variation and treatment failure in cancer.

Immunostaining of the early mouse embryo shows the beginnings of polarization (arrow) and lumen formation (dashed area), two key steps in development. Also shown is variable expression of gene Nanog (right) which contributes to these events. Our goal is to define the mechanisms by which variation arises and its role in cancer. Image reproduced with permission from Shahbazi et al, Nature 2017.
Understanding variation in single cells requires new tools that allow measurements in single cells. We are developing a novel microfluidic device with the Anderson lab that enables single cell enrichment for target biomolecules by encapsulating cells in droplets.