Abstract

Single molecule sequencing has evolved from a niche technology into a robust, accessible platform for decoding the complexities of genome regulation and cellular identity. In this talk, we'll explore how recent improvements in accuracy, throughput, and targeted enrichment now allow us to phase variants, resolve repetitive loci, and detect epigenetic modifications—often in the same molecule. These methods enable analysis of allele-specific methylation, chromatin accessibility, and protein-DNA interactions, even in challenging regions like centromeres or BRCA1. We'll also cover how these techniques apply to spatial and single-cell transcriptomics, empowering nuanced studies in neuroscience and cancer. Altogether, this work moves us closer to a future where multiomic profiling at single-molecule resolution becomes routine—at the bench, not just the core.

Short Bio

Winston Timp, an associate professor of biomedical engineering, focuses on the development and application of sequencing technologies to gain a deeper understanding of biology and a more accurate set of clinical tools for human disease. He holds joint appointments in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Timp’s research integrates the principles of biophysics, molecular biology and computational biology to create new tools for exploring the epigenomes and genomes of different lifeforms ranging in size from the flu virus to hummingbirds to California redwoods. Based on the knowledge gained from these studies, Timp and his team apply their toolsets to clinical samples for the diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment of human disease.