Recent advances in single-cell epigenomics

The analysis of gene expression regulation, or the epigenome analysis, at the single-cell level is at the forefront of genomics research. To elucidate the mechanisms that regulate gene expression, chromatin immunoprecipitation has been conventionally used for determining the binding sites of DNA-binding proteins, such as histones and transcription factors. Now several new approaches have been emerged to reveal epigenome states at the single-cell level. Instead of using immunoprecipitation of fragmented chromatin, in situ reactions using cells or nuclei, combining with transposase tagging and other methods, have enabled single-cell analysis. Furthermore, single-cell multiomics techniques to simultaneously profiling transcriptome and open chromatin or histone modification have been developed. These single-cell analyses have the potential to identify different cell types in a cell population and reveal the dynamic changes of gene regulation, although those technologies have not yet reached a level for general application.

Automated summary

The forefront of genomics research involves the analysis of gene expression regulation at the single-cell level, with new approaches emerging to reveal epigenome states. These methods include in situ reactions using cells or nuclei, combining with transposase tagging, and single-cell multiomics techniques profiling both transcriptome and open chromatin or histone modification. These analyses have the potential to identify different cell types and dynamic changes in gene regulation, although they are not yet widely applicable.