Network analysis

In this project we aimed to study how immune cells interact between each other in an immuno-oncology 3D in vitro assay.

Type of data: Imaging time series data from engeneered T cells where two cells types CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were identified by different colors.

Background: In our assay we investigated how T cells where behaving during the course of tumor attack. In particular here we were interested in the behavior of two important cell types CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, since they have different roles in this process. Little is known about how these cell type interact between each other.

Goal: We aimed to identify what type of cells interact over the course of the time series and how where they interconnected.

Approach: Using network analysis and visualization toold (igraph) I identified nodes of connecting cells.

Main result: I found that most cells in the assay are actually interconnected overtime, opening the possibility to a web of communication occuring throughout the assay.