Vento-Tormo Group – Wellcome Sanger Institute Skip to main content Careers | Find us | Contact us About Our Vision Leadership Strategy and Funding Influencing Policy Equality in Science Careers Study Research Policies Campus Connections Admin Groups Branding and Logos Science COVID-19 Research Programmes Scientific Groups Collaborations Tools Data Sanger Projects Publications Sanger Seminar Series People Leadership Faculty Associate Faculty Honorary Faculty International Fellows Science Staff Non-science Staff Full A-Z Innovation Innovation at the Institute For Industry For Researchers Case Studies Our Spin-Outs Sanger Technologies News Group leadCore teamAssociated researchRelated groupsProgrammes and FacilitiesPartnersPublicationsConnect with us on Twitter Faculty Group Cellular Genetics Vento-Tormo Group Cellular Genetics The Vento Lab uses genomics and computational tools to reconstruct immune environments. The main areas of focus are: Immunogenomics - Immune responses against infection, Reproductive atlas - Reconstructing dynamic maps of reproductive organs, and Cellular networks - Cell-cell communication Immunogenomics – Immune responses against infection. Using genomics, imaging and computational tools, we seek to understand the checkpoint mechanisms that ensure tailored immune responses against different infections in distinct tissues. Our long-term goal is to understand the intracellular and extracellular mechanisms that shape the architecture of the immune response against infection. Reproductive atlas – Reconstructing dynamic maps of reproductive organs. As part of the Developmental Atlas in partnership with the Human Cell atlas, we are seeking to produce a comprehensive 3D cellular map of the reproductive system. Cellular networks – Cell-cell communication. We aim to create an interactome map that will help us understand the basic mechanisms of cellular responses and functions, by mapping all interactions between the receptors on cells’ surfaces and the ligands they bind, along with their downstream signals. To acheive this we are developing new approaches using single-cell and spatial transcriptomic data. Postdoctoral fellow positions We encourage potential postdocs to apply for independent funding. We are happy to brainstorm ideas and help with the development of the proposal. PhD positions To apply for a PhD position in our group, please refer to the Wellcome Sanger Institute’s PhD Programme More about the group’s research To find out more, please click on ‘Read More’ below. Immune responses against infection Immune cells are spread throughout the body’s tissues and in circulation where they defend against infection and injury and contribute to homeostasis. Their response adapts to the specific challenges faced in different tissue environments. One of the most intriguing environments is the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy. Here, an appropriate immune cell response guarantees peaceful co-existence of fetal and maternal cells whilst also protecting against infection that may threaten the developing fetus. Questions we aim to address: What drives divergent immune responses against pathogens in unique, specialised peripheral tissues? What detrimental effects does an imbalanced immune response have on fetus and mother during pregnancy? What are the mechanisms involved in the transmission of viruses from mother to fetus (vertical transmission)? Our lab uses genomics, imaging and computational tools to understand the checkpoint mechanisms that ensure tailored immune responses against different infections in distinct tissues. Through international and local collaborations, we have access to large cohorts of individuals and state-of-the-art in vitro co-culturing systems. Our long-term goal is to understand the intracellular and extracellular mechanisms that shape the architecture of the immune response against infection. Reconstructing dynamic maps of reproductive organs Sexual reproduction depends on the fusion of gametes (sperm and eggs) during fertilisation followed by implantation of the resulting embryo in the lining of the womb (the endometrium). Cellular decisions made in the early stages of embryo development will determine cellular diversity and their organisation in complex tissues and organs. The majority of tissues will continue their development and maturation in adult life where they establish contact with the external environment. One exception to this principle is the placenta. The placenta is a unique transient organ that protects the fetus against external insults whilst providing it with nutrients. Placental defects are associated with fetal growth restriction, miscarriages and preeclampsia, reflecting the crucial role of this organ in fetal development and maternal health. Questions we aim to address: What alterations in the maternal-fetal communication are associated with placental defects? What cellular decisions made in early development shape cellular differentiation and tissue organisation? What external and internal signals regulate the division and maturation of the gametes? We use genomics, imaging and computational tools to produce a comprehensive 3D cellular map of the reproductive system. Our lab is part of the Developmental Atlas in partnership with the Human Cell Atlas. Cell-cell communication The complex intracellular signalling pathways that drive cellular differentiation and function start with the binding of a signalling molecule (the ligand) to its receiving molecule (receptor). Mapping the ligand-receptor interactions during development, childhood, adult life and ageing is crucial to understand and predict cell identity and response. In addition, an encyclopaedia of cell surface ligand/receptors interactions in both fetal and adult tissues is of huge interest for the design of novel targeted therapies, as these classes of proteins can be targeted by biologics. Relevant interests in our lab: What are the signals initiated by different ligand-receptor interactions? Can we predict new extracellular and intracellular pathways using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data? Can we systematically map all the interactions of the body? In collaboration with other experimental and computational teams at the WSI and EBI, we are currently developing new methods to link the receptor-ligand interactions with intracellular pathways and transcription factor activities using single-cell and spatial transcriptomic data. By mapping all the ligand-receptor interactions and their downstream signals in different fetal and adult tissues we aim to create an interactome map that will help us to understand the basic mechanisms of cellular responses and functions. Join our group We are looking for motivated students and postdocs to join our group. We offer a friendly, collaborative atmosphere and direct one-to-one supervision. We are based at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and collaborate with the EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), our close neighbour. All members of the group will work together and have the opportunity to develop their experimental and computational analysis skills and experience. Interested? Please contact Roser Vento-Tormo at roser.vento@sanger.ac.uk. Postdoctoral fellow positions We encourage potential postdocs to apply for independent funding. We are happy to brainstorm ideas and help with the development of the proposal. PhD positions To apply for a PhD position in our group, please refer to the Wellcome Sanger Institute’s PhD Programme. Our people Group lead Roser Vento-Tormo Group leader Roser leads a research team at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Core team Dr Clara Alsinet-Armengol Postdoctoral Fellow Anna Arutyunyan PhD Student Dr Regina Hoo Postdoctoral Fellow Tarryn Porter Laboratory Manager Maria del Carmen Sancho Serra Advanced Research Assistant Associated research Collaborations Collaboration Human Cell Atlas The International Human Cell Atlas initiative aims to create comprehensive reference maps of all human cells—the fundamental units of life— ... Related groups Science group Bayraktar Group Cellular Genetics We seek to explore the vast cellular diversity in the human brain using large-scale spatial transcriptomics, imaging and functional screens. Science group Behjati Group Connecting human development and disease Our research sits at the interface of cancer genomics and single cell transcriptomics. Our aim is to unravel the identity and ... Wellcome Sanger Institute Programmes and Facilities Programme Cellular Genetics We are focused on using single-cell approaches, so called “cell atlas” technologies and understanding human genetics at the cellular level. The ... Partners We work with the following groups External Dr Annettee Nakimuli Sanger Institute International Fellow Vento-Tormo R, …, Teichmann SA. Single cell reconstruction of the early maternal-fetal interface in humans. Nature 2018; 563: 347-353. doi: 10.1038/s41586-018-0698-6. Epub 2018 Nov 14. Svensson V, Vento-Tormo R, Teichmann SA. Exponential scaling of single-cell RNA-SEQ in the past decade. Nat Protoc. 2018; 13: 599-604. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2017.149. Epub 2018 Mar 1. Young MD …, Vento-Tormo R, …, Behjati S. Single-cell transcriptomes from human kidneys reveal the cellular identity of renal tumours. Science. 2018; 361: 594-599. See full index Publications Loading publications... Connect with us on Twitter Follow Retweet on Twitterroser Retweeted Kylie James@KylieReneeJames· 16 Feb 1361576118113898498 Post-doc position available in #IBD research at @GarvanInstitute! Are you enthusiastic about single cell methods and gut immunity in health and disease? Then please apply to join my team: https://garvan.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/garvan_institute/job/Sydney/Research-Officer--RO-_PRF5835-1 Please retweet🙏 Reply on Twitter 1361576118113898498 Retweet on Twitter 1361576118113898498103 Like on Twitter 136157611811389849897 Retweet on Twitterroser Retweeted Sanger Institute@sangerinstitute· 15 Feb 1361255198031757317 📢 Next up for #SangerSeminars 📢 is Mathew Garnett @Garnettlab! 🧬🔬 Hear how the team is using #Genomics to guide cancer #DrugDiscovery 💊 📅 Weds 17 Feb 🔗 Full info ➡️https://www.sanger.ac.uk/science/sanger-seminar-series/ #Genomics #Sequencing #SciComm #ScienceTwitter #CancerResearch Reply on Twitter 1361255198031757317 Retweet on Twitter 136125519803175731712 Like on Twitter 136125519803175731723 Retweet on Twitterroser Retweeted Hamish King@hamish_king· 12 Feb 1360305500613603328 It's finally out! Our study of human B cell maturation using scRNA-seq and scVDJ-seq is now published. @louisakjames @blizard_inst @QMULBartsTheLon @sangerinstitute https://immunology.sciencemag.org/content/6/56/eabe6291 Reply on Twitter 1360305500613603328 Retweet on Twitter 136030550061360332896 Like on Twitter 1360305500613603328335 Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA. UK +44 (0)1223 834244 About Legal Data sharing Careers Privacy Equality, Diversity, Inclusion Study Cookies Modern Slavery Statement Expand footer Wellcome Sanger Institute, Genome Research Limited (reg no. 2742969) is a charity registered in England with number 1021457 2021 Wellcome Sanger Institute | All rights reserved
