Integrating single-cell genomics pipelines to discover mechanisms of stem cell differentiation

Trends Mol Med. 2021 Dec;27(12):1135-1158. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2021.09.006. Epub 2021 Oct 14.

Abstract

Pluripotent stem cells underpin a growing sector that leverages their differentiation potential for research, industry, and clinical applications. This review evaluates the landscape of methods in single-cell transcriptomics that are enabling accelerated discovery in stem cell science. We focus on strategies for scaling stem cell differentiation through multiplexed single-cell analyses, for evaluating molecular regulation of cell differentiation using new analysis algorithms, and methods for integration and projection analysis to classify and benchmark stem cell derivatives against in vivo cell types. By discussing the available methods, comparing their strengths, and illustrating strategies for developing integrated analysis pipelines, we provide user considerations to inform their implementation and interpretation.

Keywords: cell differentiation; pluripotent stem cell; scRNA-seq; single-cell genomics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Genomics*
  • Humans
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells* / physiology
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods
  • Transcriptome