Single-cell Genomics

Single-cell genomics technologies provide unprecedented resolution for profiling the genome and epigenome of individual cells. We assist researchers in maximizing the potential of these technologies by efficiently analyzing and interpreting single-cell data, including the following modalities:

scRNA-Seq (Single-cell RNA Sequencing):

scRNA-Seq is a high-resolution gene expression sequencing technology that provides a cellular-level gene expression profile of tissues. While similar to bulk RNA-Seq in presenting gene expression data for tissues, scRNA-Seq greatly enhances resolution, allowing for the identification of cellular heterogeneity and dysregulated genes specific to cell types of interest. Numerous commercial protocols have been developed, making scRNA-Seq widely applicable in biomedical science.

How scRNA-Seq data helps drug discovery:

Bulk RNA-Seq technology provides an average gene expression profile for all cells in a sample. However, each sample comprises multiple cell types, such as immune cells, connective tissue cells, endothelial (vascular) cells, and various tissue-specific cells. In contrast, scRNA-Seq offers gene expression data at the cellular level, enabling the measurement of gene expression for each individual cell type with fine resolution.

This increased resolution in single-cell sequencing has significant implications for drug target discovery. Genes can have vastly different roles in diseases depending on the cell type in which they are expressed. For instance, a gene that promotes cell proliferation or stemness in tumor cells may be linked to a poor prognosis and serve as a potential drug target, whereas the same gene exhibiting these traits in tumor-fighting immune cells may signify a better prognosis. This level of detail enhances the precision of drug target discovery

scATAC-Seq (Single-cell Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with sequencing):

As its name suggests, scATAC-Seq is the application of single-cell sequencing to ATAC-Seq technology. This method enables the profiling of chromatin accessibility at the individual cell level, providing a detailed view of the epigenetic landscape within diverse cell populations. By assessing the accessibility of regulatory regions of the genome, scATAC-Seq offers insights into gene regulation, cellular differentiation, and the unique chromatin features that distinguish different cell types within a sample.

How scATAC-Seq data helps drug discovery:

scATAC-Seq allows for the dissection of epigenetic heterogeneity within the samples under investigation. By providing a more stable molecular signature than gene expression data, it offers a more reliable means of identifying drug targets that are less susceptible to the stochastic fluctuations inherent in cell biology. This stability makes scATAC-Seq particularly valuable for uncovering potential therapeutic targets that are consistently relevant across different cell states and conditions

scBS-Seq (Single-cell Bisulfite Sequencing):

Bisulfite sequencing is a long-established technology used to profile the DNA methylation status of cell types and tissues. When applied to single-cell sequencing, it allows for the profiling of the methylome at the individual cell level, providing a high-resolution view of the permanent epigenetic landscape.

How scBS-Seq data helps drug discovery:

DNA methylation is one of the most stable and lasting epigenetic marks, established during development and inherited during cell division. It plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and maintaining cellular identity, with dysregulation linked to diseases like cancer. By profiling the methylome at high resolution, scBS-Seq technology provides a detailed and stable view of the epigenetic landscape at the single-cell level, offering valuable insights for disease understanding and therapeutic discovery.