Design and Analysis of Single-Cell Sequencing Experiments

Cell. 2015 Nov 5;163(4):799-810. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.10.039.

Abstract

Recent advances in single-cell sequencing hold great potential for exploring biological systems with unprecedented resolution. Sequencing the genome of individual cells can reveal somatic mutations and allows the investigation of clonal dynamics. Single-cell transcriptome sequencing can elucidate the cell type composition of a sample. However, single-cell sequencing comes with major technical challenges and yields complex data output. In this Primer, we provide an overview of available methods and discuss experimental design and single-cell data analysis. We hope that these guidelines will enable a growing number of researchers to leverage the power of single-cell sequencing.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells / classification
  • Cells / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Humans
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Single-Cell Analysis*