Burns Life Sciences Consulting GmbH
For Tyler's personal website, go here.
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Table of Contents
Actionable single-cell and spatial insights in days, not months
Struggling with slow, convoluted single-cell or spatial data analyses? We provide rapid, next-level insights that transform months-long projects into an efficient pipeline—so you can make decisions fast.
We’ve been leading the charge in single-cell and spatial analysis since the early 2010s, pioneering CyTOF and adopting AI tools (like GPT-3, early access) well before they went mainstream. Our approach isn’t just about handing over a fancy report; we teach your team to replicate and refine the process, saving you hundreds of thousands in future service fees.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Fast-Track Analysis – We compress your research timelines significantly, going from data to actionable insights in a fraction of the usual time.
- Hands-On Training – Your team learns our streamlined methodology, so you remain self-sufficient long after we wrap up.
- Future-Proof Expertise – Stay on the cutting edge with our battle-tested AI strategies, honed before ChatGPT took the world by storm.
If you want to accelerate your breakthroughs and empower your team with the latest in single-cell and spatial analytics, reach out now. We only accept a limited number of new clients each quarter, so don’t miss your chance. Let’s make your data work for you—faster and smarter.
Why we exist
At Burns Life Sciences Consulting, we believe that the biggest challenges, like curing cancer, demand not just incremental tweaks but true paradigm shifts. We’ve lived through revolutions in the lab (from flow cytometry to mass cytometry, from bulk assays to single‑cell multi‑omics), and we know what it takes to drive them.
That’s why we pair a rigorous, first‑principles foundation with the agility to absorb and deploy today’s most cutting‑edge tools, whether AI‑powered analytics or next‑generation omics platforms. By cutting through the noise of ever‑growing datasets and rapidly evolving computational methods, we deliver exactly the high‑value results you need, right now.
And we don’t stop there: we share our process every step of the way, so your team gains the clarity and know‑how to replicate and extend our work, turning one breakthrough into many.
Who are we
Tyler Burns
Tyler holds a PhD in Cancer Biology from Garry Nolan’s lab at Stanford and combines wet‑lab expertise with software engineering and data science. Since 2012 he’s focused on single‑cell and spatial biology, consulting full‑time since 2016. He partners with organizations to anticipate, harness, and embed paradigm shifts—building custom analysis pipelines, leading hands‑on team training, and crafting clear data storytelling. Today he leads a lean network of specialist contractors (and is scaling toward a dedicated in‑house team) to deliver exactly what you need, right now.
To see Tyler's personal website, complete with blog posts, personal projects, and samples of work, please go here.
The Burns LSC Network
Burns Life Sciences Consulting operates as a decentralized network of top talent in the single cell and spatial fields, amassed over the 12+ years of doing this work, starting with Tyler's work in the lab of Garry Nolan in 2012 when CyTOF and its analysis were still in the "wild west" phase. We have deep experts in each of the domains below at our fingertips.
Who we help
- Companies developing single-cell and spatial technologies
- Companies using single-cell and spatial technologies (eg. pharma)
- PIs doing single-cell and spatial research
- (for free) PhD students and postdocs who may eventually be in the three buckets above
Services
Data analysis
Is your pipeline slow, tangled, or bogged down by batch effects and segmentation challenges? We design custom R and Python workflows that address your specific pain points—from batch correction and cell segmentation to scalable, reproducible analysis.
What we do
- End-to-end analysis: You supply the raw data; we deliver publication‑ready results.
- Tool development & transfer: We build bespoke packages and hand over fully documented code.
- Flexible engagement models:
- Done for you – we handle everything from start to finish.
- Done with you – we collaborate on your team’s infrastructure and workflows.
- Advisory – we guide strategic decisions and review your pipelines.
Plus: we empower your team by walking them through every step—at no extra charge.
Outcome
Faster insight generation and a self‑sufficient workflow that keeps you at the forefront of the big‑data + AI curve.
Teaching
Learn more at Burns Labs.
Introduction to single-cell bioinformatics seminar
Accelerate your team’s proficiency in single‑cell analysis with our intensive three‑day seminar—delivered in person or online.
- Foundational concepts: Demystify single‑cell bioinformatics from first principles.
- Hands‑on coding: Build simple R/Python scripts and deploy no‑code tools with full understanding.
- Real‑world projects: Apply techniques directly to your own datasets.
- Follow‑up support: We remain available to help integrate new skills into your current research.
Outcome
A confident, self‑sufficient team capable of managing and interpreting single‑cell data—from fundamentals to advanced analyses.
Tailored mentorship
When one size doesn’t fit all, we create a personalized learning plan aligned with each team member’s style and goals.
- Custom roadmap: A step‑by‑step plan focused on your priorities.
- Progress check‑ins: Regular sessions to keep momentum.
- On‑demand guidance: Expertise when and where you need it.
Outcome
Rapid skill acquisition and lasting confidence in your analytical toolkit.
Science communication and data storytelling
Turn complex data and technical findings into clear, compelling narratives for any audience.
- Audience-specific messaging: From C‑suite presentations to policy briefs.
- Content development: White papers, tutorials, blog posts, and social media copy.
- Iterative refinement: We revise and polish until your message resonates.
Outcome
A concise, impactful story that drives decisions and engagement.
Domains
The following are brief descriptions of the domains in which we have deep expertise, and through which we provide our services.
High-dimensional flow cytometry
Mass cytometry
We leverage direct wet-lab and dry-lab experience from the lab of Garry Nolan starting in 2012, when mass cytometry was in its infancy, and we were developing best practices in real time.
Spectral flow cytometry
Leveraging our experience in mass cytometry and traditional fluorescence flow cytometry, we began working and partnering in spectral in the 2020s.
Single-cell sequencing
RNA, ATAC, and related (integration included)
Leveraging established best practices and our "first principles" approach from the early days of mass cytometry, we make sure that we deeply understand every detail of our analysis solutions. Our services here include data integration.
CITE-seq and related
Here, we leverage our work in flow and mass cytometry to make sure the antibody side is done right, and looks right, along with our expertise in single-cell sequencing on the transcript side.
Spatial proteomics
Mass tag based (MIBI and IMC), and fluorescence based (codex)
We utilize our direct experience from the Nolan lab and collaborators, where both MIBI and CODEX were being developed at the same time.
This is how we deliver the same "first principles" approach that we deliver for our suspension-based analyses. We emphasize getting all the painful details correct, like cell segmentation.
Spatial transcriptomics
Core based (eg. Visium), and cell based (eg. Xenium)
These methods share principles and methods with spatial proteomic analysis. Again, cell segmentation is critical. There are key differences, and we note that there are a number of different technologies to choose from.
We emphasize a general understanding of each one and the respective trade-offs, such that we can help you navigate this field as it develops and give you what you need relevant to your project.
Network analysis
Pathway analysis
We determine what pathways are likely active in a given cell subset with specific DEGs. We then go into the pathways themselves and determine what genes within the pathway matter. We emphasize the fundamentals of graph theory in this type of work.
Data management
Knowledge graphs (eg. Neo4J)
Projects in this domain typically involve organizations that have multi-modal data (genes, drugs, pathways, PPI, diseases, and so forth). Knowledge graphs can put all of this together to produce novel insights you won't get looking at these data separately.
LLM integration
A typical project in this domain includes converting English into a given query language (eg. Cypher for Neo4J), such that a knowledge graph can be easily queried to deliver actionable insights.
What to expect from an engagement with Burns LSC
A typical engagement begins with a mutual nondisclosure agreement (NDA), so we can both talk freely. The project can either be fixed-scope (eg. a specific thing needs to be analyzed by a particular time), or open-ended (eg. continuous advisory). When the details, scope, and deliverables are decided upon, then a statement of work is finalized (sometimes from Burns, sometimes from the client) and signed.
The project proceeds with a minimum of one video call per week, so we can always be sync'd on progress toward milestones, and any new developments on both sides. Any adjustments to the contract after it has been signed can be done in writing.
Although most of our client interactions happen remotely (via email, Slack, and video calls), we strongly recommend one or more on-site visits per year—particularly for longer-term engagements. In our experience, meeting in person significantly strengthens the consultant–client relationship and fosters deeper collaboration.
What people are saying
“BLS Consulting has brought tremendous value to Alkahest’s research efforts. Their extensive expertise helped us advance cutting-edge projects both in the scientific foundation, as well as the technical implementation. They’re the rare organization that can distill the ambiguity of advanced research down to pragmatic solutions with demonstrable value.”
— Scott Lohr, Senior Director of Informatics & Engineering, Alkahest Inc.
"Tyler’s expertise in data science, deep biological knowledge, and mastery of cutting-edge technologies have been instrumental in advancing several of our projects. His innovative thinking, coupled with his organization and responsiveness, make him an invaluable consultant. Tyler is our go-to person whenever we encounter challenges, and I greatly appreciate his commitment to efficiency and passion for both the team and the science."
— Bahareh Ajami, Assistant Professor of Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University
“Tyler’s sharp data science expertise on top of his deep biological background and first principles mindset has given us quality solutions every time we’ve brought him in.”
— Xiaoyan Qian, Senior Computational Biologist, 10x Genomics
“Tyler’s innovative data analysis solutions has transformed our raw data into actionable insights, enabling us to make smarter and more informed decisions going forward. His fast and engaged approach makes working with him very enjoyable and informative, we look forward to engaging his services again in future projects!”
— Natalia Becares, Principal Scientist, LIfT Biosciences
Contact us
Book a free 30min consultation
If you'd like my two cents on anything, and/or you would like to explore potential engagements/partnerships, you can book a call accordingly.
Tyler's LinkedIn
Tyler maintains a strong LinkedIn presence. If you're not connected, simply send a connection request with a message. If he can't answer your questions, he can link you to people who can.
Insights
A compendium of Tyler's social media posts
These are grouped by subject, and easier to go through here than trying to browse through LinkedIn history.
Single-cell relevant posts
These are markdowns and articles related to all things single-cell, from Tyler's personal website.