Visualization of Signaling Pathways in Real Time with Single-Molecule Resolution

Cell signaling is poorly understood because traditionally it has been studied using molecular biology techniques that fail to capture the complexity of cell-cell communication at the single cell level. This gap of knowledge prevents the development of more efficient drugs capable of targeting aberrant signaling events that disrupt cell homeostasis. To address this critical problem, we will digitally quantify how single growth factors act upon cells using fluorescent quantum dots and calibrated three-dimensional deconvolution microscopy. We anticipate that these studies will reveal novel cell signaling mechanisms important in inflammation and tumor progression.