Next-Generation Tool Enhances Cancer Research with Real-Time Tracking of Gene Mutations and Activity

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and the University of Adelaide have developed a revolutionary tool, GoT-Multi, that allows for the simultaneous tracking of multiple gene mutations and recording of gene activity in individual cancer cells. This next-generation technology overcomes the limitations of its predecessor, GoT, and can process large numbers of cells, including tissue samples preserved with formalin and embedded in wax, which are commonly found in hospital pathology labs. The researchers highlighted the tool's potential by using it to reveal new details of how a relatively indolent leukemia can evolve into an aggressive lymphoma.

Key Takeaways:

  • GoT-Multi is a next-generation tool that enables the simultaneous tracking of multiple gene mutations and recording of gene activity in individual cancer cells.
  • The tool can process large numbers of cells, including tissue samples preserved with formalin and embedded in wax, which are commonly found in hospital pathology labs.
  • GoT-Multi has overcome the limitations of its predecessor, GoT, which was restricted to fresh or frozen tissue samples and could only detect certain gene mutations.
  • The researchers have applied GoT-Multi to tissue samples from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia transitioning toward the more malignant large B-cell lymphoma, tracking the presence of more than two dozen different gene mutations.
  • The tool has illuminated the malignant progression of the cancer as never before, revealing new details of how the relatively indolent leukemia can evolve into an aggressive lymphoma.
  • The researchers are now applying GoT-Multi to a large cohort of therapy-resistant lymphomas, as well as using it to map the development of other cancers and precancerous states.
  • The insights provided by GoT-Multi are expected to suggest new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

Statistics:

  • The researchers applied GoT-Multi to tissue samples from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, tracking the presence of more than 2 dozen different gene mutations.
  • The tool profiled tens of thousands of individual tumor cells, revealing new details of how the cancer evolved.
  • The researchers have been supported by funding from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Career Award for Medical Scientists, the National Institutes of Health Director's Early Independence Award through grant number DP5OD029619, and the Commonwealth Standard Grant Agreement 4-F26M8TZ.

Sources:

  • "GoT-Multi, a next-generation single-cell multi-omics tool for simultaneous tracking of multiple gene mutations and recording of gene activity in individual cancer cells" (Cell Genomics, published Oct. 10, 2025)
  • Interview with Dr. Anna Nam, co-senior author of the study, Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Press release from Weill Cornell Medicine, Nov. 2, 2025