# Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Characterization Unit

> **NIH NIH U2C** · SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH · 2020 · $1,194,636

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY (Characterization Unit)
Metastasis involves the complex process of spreading of cancer cells beyond the primary tumor site,
and is the cause of the majority of cancer deaths. The complexity arises from a dynamic interplay
between heterogeneous and evolving cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment, during the
progression from locally invasive to metastatic cancer. Understanding this progression, which is
closely linked to immunity and development, calls for characterization of the various cell states and
their interaction with the local niche during the progression. However, constructing such an atlas of
the cellular states poses challenges due to the lack of a priori knowledge of all cell types present, the
range of cell states to expect, or the rates of transition. To overcome these challenges we propose
three iterative aims. First, we will establish a robust, cost-effective, high quality pipeline for single-cell
genomics (primarily RNA) characterization of clinical samples provided by the Biospecimen Unit.
Through this effort we will build a taxonomy of cell types, cell states and temporal lineage tracing
connecting clones from the primary tumor to metastasis. Next, we will establish a robust, cost-
effective, high quality pipeline for spatial mapping at single-cell resolution of clinical samples provided
by the Biospecimen Unit with the goal systematically mapping the spatial structure of
tumors/metastasis and their associated microenvironment. Finally, we will evaluate and assimilate the
best new emerging technologies as these reach production level capacity. This is important to do as
the field of single-cell technologies is moving forward at a staggering pace, thus poising the
characterization unit will remain up to date on these technologies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10001475
- **Project number:** 5U2CCA233284-03
- **Recipient organization:** SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** Dana Pe'er
- **Activity code:** U2C (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,194,636
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10001475

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10001475, Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Characterization Unit (5U2CCA233284-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10001475. Licensed CC0.

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