Barcoded viral platform for multiplexed functional validation of oncogenic cancer mutations in vivo and uses thereof

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a method which integrates cell barcoding and high-throughput sequencing to quantify tumor growth in genetically engineered mouse models of human cancer (called 'Tuba-seq” for Tumor barcoding coupled with sequencing). Unlike existing methods, this platform allows measurement of parameters of population (tumor) growth for a very large number of independent clonal populations (tumors) within the same mouse, providing exquisitely precise, cheap, and rapid estimate of effects of tumor-suppressors function modification on tumor growth in vivo. Because Tuba-seq enables the analysis of multiple pathways in the same animal using a very large number of independent tumors, it is much faster, much more precise, and is a much less expensive way to investigate tumor-suppressor function as well as genotype-specific therapeutic responses. This method is naturally adaptable for high-throughput profiling of drug responses of many tumor types growing in vivo.

Figure adapted from: Rogers, Z. N. et al. A quantitative and multiplexed approach to uncover the fitness landscape of tumor suppression in vivo.Nature Methods (2017). doi:10.1038/nmeth.4297