In science, thinking small often leads to big discoveries.
That鈥檚 the approach of a group of researchers at 91精品鈥檚 (COPH), who study the character of genes inside human cells. Their work could lead to a better understanding of how diseases progress or to treat 鈭� and even cure 鈭� certain cancers.
The recently launched its Single Cell RNA-seq training series with two comprehensive sessions focused on both experimental and computational aspects of what are called single-cell transcriptomics, which examines gene expression at the RNA level.
鈥淪ingle-cell RNA sequencing is a powerful tool that allows scientists to study the gene expression and activity of individual cells, unlike traditional methods that are only able to study the average across thousands of cells at once,鈥欌�� said , director of the 91精品 Genomics Program. 鈥淭his sequencing reveals differences between cells, helping us understand cell-to-cell variability.鈥欌��
Instructors from the Laboratory Training, Drs. Chengqi Wang (left), Min Zhang (second from left), and Sequencing Core staff Matthew Mercurio (right), the event also supported from the expertise of invited guests from 10x Genomics, Dr. Lauren Rowan (center) and Saroja Kolluru (second from right). (Photo courtesy of 91精品 Genomics Sequencing Core)
Drs. Min Zhang and of the 91精品 Genomics Sequencing Core led the laboratory training, while. Drs. and Justin Gibbons of the 91精品 Genomics Computational Core led the computational session. Matthew Mercurio, the senior core staff member, aided in the operation of complex instruments.
鈥淭his technology is especially important in tissues like cancer, where many different types of cells work together or behave differently,鈥欌�� Wang said.
RNA sequencing helps accelerate medical research and can lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases like cancer, autoimmune disorders and neurological conditions.
Dr. Chengi Wang
The workshops included a web-lab session with 24 participants and a data analysis session with 20 people. About 60% were graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The laboratory training offered a rare opportunity for hands-on experience with sample preparation using instruments called the Chromium X system and Illumina Sequencing platform Nextseq 2000.
RNA is a crucial molecule involved in biological processes, most notably protein synthesis and gene expression. It acts as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA to the ribosomes, where proteins are made. RNA also plays roles in regulating gene activity and is the genetic material for some viruses. But studying RNA at the microscopic level requires the kind of specialized training presented in the two complementary workshops.
Sequencing Core staff Matthew Mercurio (second from left) is Loading GEM-X 3' Chip (Photo courtesy of 91精品 Genomics Sequencing Core)
鈥淥n the lab side, you need to know how to handle fragile cells, prepare high-quality samples and generate clean sequencing libraries,鈥欌�� Wang added. 鈥淥n the data side, the analysis requires advanced software, coding skills and the ability to interpret complex results.鈥�
The workshops were designed to overcome these technical barriers and included a demanding process known as the 10x Genomics single-cell RNA-seq workflow, which limited what can be costly errors.
鈥淏ecause data quality is closely linked to sample quality, even minor deviations in how a sample is handled can significantly affect the results,鈥� said Zhang. 鈥淓ach experiment costs about $3,000 per sample, so precision and consistency are critical.鈥�
Laboratory hands-on training for the participants (Photo courtesy of 91精品 Genomics Sequencing Core)
RNA sequencing has enormous potential, including:
- The discovery of new cell types
- A better understanding of disease mechanisms at the cellular level
- The discovery of potential biomarkers for early diagnosis
- The development of more precise and personalized medical treatments
鈥淩NA sequencing helps researchers understand diseases at their root,鈥欌�� Zhao added. 鈥淭his leads to better ways to diagnose, track and treat illnesses.鈥欌��
One of the most promising aspects of the research featured in the workshops is in the treatment of cancer. Tumors are made up of many different types of cells 鈭� some are aggressive, some resistant to therapy and some actually help the immune system fight cancer.
鈥淲ith RNA sequencing, researchers can identify exactly which cells are present in a tumor and how each behaves. This helps doctors understand why a treatment might work for one patient but not another and it guides the design of new therapies that target specific cancer cell types or drug-resistant subpopulations. This can lead to more precise, effective cancer care.
Dr. John Adams
Mary Avornyo, a graduate research assistant at the who attended the sessions, said the experience will be invaluable in her career: 鈥淚 think it was a very helpful and well-organized workshop. I learned a lot about a very complex subject.鈥欌��
The 91精品 Genomics Program was established in 2017 as a university-wide interdisciplinary research program to support all areas of genomics research and training at the university. To date, the cores have supported the submission of 60 external grant proposals and secured funding for 22 projects totaling more than $29 million. Notably, 58% of these funded projects required single-cell and high-resolution spatial analysis.
The Genomics Sequencing Core recently received multiple internal awards to upgrade infrastructure to better support advanced single-cell and spatial research and enhance faculty competitiveness for external grants. It stands as one of the most impressive biomedical technologies at 91精品, Wang said.