“What if we could build a ‘tissue time machine’ to predict future disease progression with the fidelity needed to intervene in the present?”
This program opened doors to the world for me, and I’d love to share a glimpse of what it’s all about with you.
The Delta Tissue (ΔT) program, initiated by Wellcome Leap, aims to develop an integrated platform—referred to as a "tissue time machine"—capable of profiling tissue states and predicting their transitions over time. This platform seeks to provide quantitative, multi-scale, and multi-modal information sufficient to build predictive models of key cell and tissue states and their transitions.
Program Goals
To achieve its objectives, the Delta Tissue program focuses on three main goals:
- Develop and Optimize Methods for Modality Selection: Create methods to quantitatively assess and select the most informative set of integrated profiling modalities for accurately characterizing tissue in a given state.
- Integrate Profiling Modalities: Combine various profiling techniques to capture comprehensive data across different scales and modalities, facilitating a holistic understanding of tissue states and transitions.
- Build Predictive Models: Utilize the integrated data to construct models capable of predicting future tissue states and transitions, enabling earlier and more targeted interventions in disease processes. (Here is where I stepped in!)
Program Directors
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The program was led by Jason Swedlow and Josh Titlow—fondly referred to as "Josh & Jason" (J&J). They were not only exceptional managers but also incredible mentors. They brought together researchers from diverse backgrounds and expertise from around the world, creating the perfect environment for collaboration and fostering an exceptional sense of synergy.
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Jason (left) and Josh (right)
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What I admired most about them was their unwavering encouragement and dedication to supporting early-career scientists (ECS) like me. They consistently pushed us to step out of our comfort zones and go beyond what we thought we could achieve. For instance, they encouraged ECS to present their findings during the program’s "All Hands Meetings." Standing in front of some of the world’s top researchers from prestigious universities was intimidating, to say the least. But knowing that J&J had our backs made it manageable.
Before this program, I used to think of myself as just the hands executing my principal investigator’s vision. Jason made me realize that I’m not only the hands but also the brain—a valuable one at that. J&J played a pivotal role in shaping the scientist I am today. They instilled self-confidence in me and emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in cancer research.
At our final meeting, they said, "Now go out and be extraordinary!" Will do, J&J, will do! :)
Before this program, I used to think of myself as just the hands executing my principal investigator’s vision. Jason made me realize that I’m not only the hands but also the brain—a valuable one at that. J&J played a pivotal role in shaping the scientist I am today. They instilled self-confidence in me and emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in cancer research.
At our final meeting, they said, "Now go out and be extraordinary!" Will do, J&J, will do! :)
All hands meeting. Cape Town. 2024