Single-cell long-read sequencing

 Long-read single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-Seq) is revolutionizing the way we profile heterogeneity in disease. Traditional short-read scRNA-Seq methods are limited in their ability to provide complete transcript coverage, resolve isoforms, and identify novel transcripts. The scRNA-Seq protocols developed for long-read sequencing platforms overcome these limitations by enabling the characterization of full-length transcripts. Long-read scRNA-Seq techniques initially suffered from comparatively poor accuracy compared to short read scRNA-Seq. However, with improvements in accuracy, accessibility, and cost efficiency, long-reads are gaining popularity in the field of scRNA-Seq. 

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00439-024-02678-x 

Following figure shows the process of long-read scRNA-Seq data generation and analysis. The tissue is collected, homogenized, and enriched for the preparation of the selected single-cell suspension. The library is prepared by droplet-based and platelet-based approaches with the help of specifically designed adaptors. The long-read scRNA-Seq sequencing is generally carried out by either PacBio or Nanopore sequencing platforms. The downstream processing of the sequencing output files is then analysed downstream by available bioinformatics tools.

Article link