title: Single-cell RNA-seq: advances and future challenges.
abstract: Phenotypically identical cells can dramatically vary with respect to behavior during their lifespan and this variation is reflected in their molecular composition such as the transcriptomic landscape. Single-cell transcriptomics using next-generation transcript sequencing (RNA-seq) is now emerging as a powerful tool to profile cell-to-cell variability on a genomic scale. Its application has already greatly impacted our conceptual understanding of diverse biological processes with broad implications for both basic and clinical research. Different single-cell RNA-seq protocols have been introduced and are reviewed here-each one with its own strengths and current limitations. We further provide an overview of the biological questions single-cell RNA-seq has been used to address, the major findings obtained from such studies, and current challenges and expected future developments in this booming field.
authors: Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany.
authors: Antoine-Emmanuel
authors: AE
authors: Saliba
authors: Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany.
authors: Alexander J
authors: AJ
authors: Westermann
authors: Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany.
authors: Stanislaw A
authors: SA
authors: Gorski
authors: Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany joerg.vogel@uni-wuerzburg.de.
authors: Jörg
authors: J
authors: Vogel
mesh_terms: D002469:Cell Separation; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / Q000379:methods*; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA / Q000379:methods*; D059010:Single-Cell Analysis / Q000379:methods*