Characterizing Gene-Edited T Cells Using High-Throughput Gene Expression Analysis To Support Safer Cell Therapies

By Nathalie Labarriere, Research Director, University of Nantes; James Goward, PhD Student, University of Nantes; Gabriele Christoffel, Director, R&D, QIAGEN; and Samuel J. Rulli, Director, Genomics Product Management, QIAGEN

Gene editing can advance T-cell therapy development, but researchers must confirm that each edit produces the intended biological effect without introducing unwanted changes. High-throughput gene expression analysis provides a broader view of engineered cell function while helping teams evaluate more samples and experimental conditions consistently.

Researchers characterizing gene-edited tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for melanoma cell therapy combine automated RNA extraction using QIAsprint® Connect with whole-transcriptome library preparation using QIAseq® FastSelect RNA Library Kits, followed by RNA-seq and pathway analysis. This integrated workflow supports gene target identification, polyclonal cell line selection, and scale-up optimization. Standardized RNA preparation helps reduce variability, while transcriptome-wide analysis reveals molecular changes that complement genomic, phenotypic, and functional assessments. Targeted digital PCR assays can provide additional characterization once relevant expression markers have been established and validated.

Examine the workflow for scaling gene expression analysis and strengthening preclinical T-cell characterization.

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