Real-Time Differential Gene Expression Analysis of Melanocytes and Melanoma Cell Lines

Investigators: Bryan Sutermaster

Melanoma is responsible for the vast majority of skin cancer-related deaths. The best patient prognoses and survival rates require early detection via visual inspection of questionable nevi and subsequent resection, followed by histological analysis. While there are techniques that aim to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of melanoma diagnostics, all of these modalities require resection and fixation of the tissues. Previous work in our lab has developed a robust live-cell imaging assay based on molecular beacons, which are short fluorescently-labeled oligonucleotide hybridization probes. My research leverages this molecular beacon-based imaging assay to identify malignant gene expression in live melanoma cell lines.