Research topic
Cell-free RNA in biological measurement: Cell-free RNA and tissue-of-origin inference, Reference atlases, mixture models, and deconvolution. Interpretation retains sampling, model, and validation limits.
Independent educational guide. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the universities, professors or laboratories described here. This collection reflects the material currently mapped on Socratic Learn.
Research develops biological measurement tools and applies them to single-cell genomics, genomic diagnostics, microbial ecology, and quantitative biological analysis. This independent primer distinguishes historical lab contributions, collaborative and consortium results, current research, and clinical screening from diagnosis.
6 lessons · ~29 minutes
Explore the labRecommended through the concepts linked to this topic. Each lesson belongs to an existing learning series.
Measuring Life: From Single Cells to Liquid Biopsies
Cell-free RNA: can a blood sample tell us what tissues are doing?Explain why cfRNA can carry expression information but source inference needs assumptions.
Supports: Cell-free RNA
PNAS · 2014
Koh W, Pan W, Gawad C, Fan HC, Kerchner GA, Wyss-Coray T, Blumenfeld YJ, El-Sayed YY, Quake SR
Why this matters: QUAKE-LAB PRIMARY RESULT: tissue-associated cfRNA expression and longitudinal pregnancy measurements.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1405528111
Science · 2018
Ngo TTM, Moufarrej MN, Rasmussen MH, et al., Melbye M, Quake SR
Why this matters: PILOT / EARLY STUDY: 31 women for gestational age and 38 elevated-risk women for preterm delivery, including 15 preterm. Requires larger blinded clinical validation.
DOI: 10.1126/science.aar3819
PLoS Pathog · 2026
Kowarsky M, et al., Quake SR
Why this matters: CURRENT ASSOCIATION STUDY: 42 plasma samples from 14 people living with HIV; host and microbial correlates do not establish causation.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1014066