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Bayer contributes to PERSIST-SEQ’s bioinformatics analyses and single-cell acquisition from models of tumour plasticity
PERSIST-SEQ’s partner Bayer is a representative from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries Associations (EFPIA). In the project, Bayer provides support with consortium management and contributes to the work on experimental tumour models. Furthermore, Bayer is leveraging its IT infrastructure for the planned analyses within the bioinformatics workstream in PERSIST-SEQ.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2021, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 44.1 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
Partnerships are an integral part of Bayer’s innovation strategy. Therefore, Bayer operates in a network of cooperation with start-ups, academic institutes, industry, suppliers and other partners. Their open innovation network covers all divisions along the entire value chain.
Bayer in PERSIST-SEQ
In PERSIST-SEQ, Bayer contributes to:
- Work Package 4 focusing on Single-cell acquisition from models of tumour plasticity. The aim of this work stream is to develop the means necessary to reliably acquire, label, and transport single-cell samples in such a way that the high quality, viability, and the heterogeneity of the samples is maintained.
- Work Package 7 focused on Analytical methods, integration, and interpretation of single-cell datasets. The goal of this work package is to develop bioinformatics platforms and methods for data analysis of the single-cell sequencing workflow. The data resulting from (spatial) single-cell sequencing from other work streams needs to be quality-controlled, curated, analysed, integrated, shared, and interpreted.
(Image left: Oliver Politz (Bayer), PERSIST-SEQ PI)
Dr. Oliver Politz is one of PERSIST-SEQ’s Principal Investigators and works as a Principal Scientist in Bayer. Oliver is currently a research representative in several of Bayer’s clinical project teams and thereby supports the clinical development with preclinical research.
Dr. Politz elaborates on Bayer’s role in PERSIST-SEQ below.
What is the focus of your work within the PERSIST-SEQ project?
We are using in vivo models and selected targeted therapies to support the goals of Work Package 4 (theme: single-cell acquisition from models of tumour plasticity) by providing samples for sequencing.
What do you hope to contribute to the consortium?
We will provide samples from selected patient-derived xenograft models (tumour graft models based on the transfer of primary tumours directly from the patient into an immunodeficient mouse) to enable data generation from complex models. In addition, our Postdoc will support the bioinformatic data analysis in the project, as part of Work Package 7 (theme: Analytical methods, integration, and interpretation of single-cell datasets).
What do you enjoy the most about your work on the project?
I enjoy understanding the biology of persister cells and obtaining an insight into their role in resistance development in cancer. Moreover, I value the interactions with a large international network. I like the exchange of people and knowledge, and the spirit of a multinational teamwork.
What is challenging about your work?
The complex nature of the xenograft samples makes high quality data generation a challenge.
What in your opinion is PERSIST-SEQ’s significance for the wider field of cancer research?
Understanding the mechanism behind persister cell biology will enable the establishment of novel treatment options by identification of new targets and/or combination approaches with the final goal of enabling durable response for the patients in treatment.