Single cell genome sequencing of murine lymphoma and epidermal cells to identify copy number variations in individual cells

Centrosome amplification is a common feature of human tumors, but whether this is a cause or a consequence of human cancer remains unclear. Here, we report the creation of a mouse model in which centrosome number can be persistently increased in the absence of additional genetic defects. We show that extra centrosomes increase tumor initiation in a mouse model of intestinal neoplasia. Mice overexpressing a doxycycline-inducible Plk4 transgene were monitored for the development of cancer and other pathologies. Tissues of five mice were examined: three untransformed epidermal samples, one B-cell lymphoma and one T-cell lymphoma. All tissues were harvested, homogenized and single-cell sequenced as described before (see Bakker & Taudt et al., 2016 – Genome Biology 17:115).