Medicine and science have advanced so much that they have reached the molecular and cellular levels. In recent years, the use of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has resulted in many discoveries and innovations in molecular medicine. RNA sequencing is a genetic approach to detecting and counting messenger RNA molecules in biological samples, providing insight into how cells function. Researchers published the first single-cell RNA sequencing result in 2009. There has been renewed interest in single-cell RNA-seq investigations. One of the strongest rationales is that single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) can accurately describe RNA molecules in single cells at the genomic scale.
A hairpin loop from a pre-mRNA. Image credit: Vossman
The Institute for Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) has developed a new single-cell RNA sequencing technology that allows the clinical detection of a significant increase in the number of genes per cell. This new approach has a higher detection rate than any other. It is also faster, cheaper and more sensitive. Natural biotechnology journal published this research fairly recently.
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So what about the new sequencing protocol?
The use of single-cell RNA sequencing is essential to determine which genes in a cell are active and the levels of transcription. This allows holistic assessment of individualized cell biology and detection of alterations that may signal cellular disease. scRNA-seq methodology is needed for various fields including developmental biology, neurology, oncology, immunology, cardiovascular studies and infectious diseases. Single-cell RNA sequencing can study population heterogeneity, find minority subpopulations of interest, and distinguish distinctive properties of individual cells. The scRNA-seq technique has applications far beyond ophthalmology. It is applied to study de novo germline mutations and somatic mutations in normal and diseased cells, such as cancer cells.
The procedure created at BIO in collaboration with Novartis Institutes BioMedical Research scientists can be used to analyze any disease model requiring high-resolution investigation of uncommon cell populations.
IOB’s Single-Cell Genomics Platform Manager and lead author of the work, Simone Picelli, explains that the modular FLASH-seq approach provides a high-resolution snapshot of the cellular transcriptome. The new RNA sequencing method can be scaled down, mechanized, and scaled to meet various requirements. It helps in the identification of gene isoforms in health and disease. It also gives a more detailed picture of gene expression, especially when disturbed by diseases, developmental disorders or external agents. Moreover, it is simple to set up in the laboratory, 50% faster and less expensive than equivalent existing techniques, allowing researchers to study the genetic causes of diseases currently beyond the reach of single-cell sequencing tools.
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Clinical significance
The use of single-cell RNA sequencing to assess the level of heterogeneity in cells is of substantial clinical benefit. Rare cells that might be missing in a pooled cell sample can also be confirmed. Its clinical application could detect malignant tumor cells within a tumor mass. Single cell RNA sequencing can be applied to identify cells individually. In less than 12 hours, the new sequencing process can deliver ready libraries.
Conclusion
BIO researchers believe that FLASH sequencing has the potential to be a tool of choice when looking for a more efficient, robust, modular, low-cost and user-friendly full-length single-cell RNA sequencing process. automation, according to the achievements revealed in the new study.
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References
Fast and highly sensitive full-length single-cell RNA sequencing using FLASH-seq
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