Cell-cell fusion and syncytialization as a transient cell state

While the only human cells known to naturally participate in cell-cell fusion are characterized by the maintenance of multiple nuclei, in vitro studies have observed cell-cell fusion as a transient state, resulting in single-nucleated progeny that closely resemble their parental cells. This phenomenon has been documented in cancer cells, iPS cells, and macrophages, amongst others. Based on these observations, I hypothesize that transient syncytialization may occur in the human body far more often than can currently be measured. To begin to explore this, I have developed high-throughput single-cell systems and computational approaches to identify biomarkers of cell-cell fusion in cancer.