What are Some Practical Applications of Scanpy in Cancer Research?
Scanpy has been applied in various aspects of cancer research to gain deeper insights into tumor biology:
Identifying Cancer Stem Cells: By clustering cells based on their gene expression, researchers can identify and study cancer stem cells, which are believed to drive tumor growth and recurrence. Tumor Microenvironment: Scanpy facilitates the study of the tumor microenvironment by identifying and characterizing different cell types, such as immune cells, stromal cells, and cancer cells within the tumor. Drug Resistance: By comparing the gene expression profiles of cells before and after treatment, Scanpy can help identify mechanisms of drug resistance and potential targets for overcoming it. Metastasis: Scanpy can be used to study the gene expression profiles of metastatic cells, providing insights into the mechanisms that enable cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body.