Single-cell transcriptomics in human skin research: available technologies, technical considerations and disease applications

Single-cell technologies have revolutionized research in the last decade, including for skin biology. Single-cell RNA sequencing has emerged as a powerful tool allowing the dissection of human disease pathophysiology at unprecedented resolution by assessing cell-to-cell variation, facilitating identification of rare cell populations and elucidating cellular heterogeneity. In dermatology, this technology has been widely applied to inflammatory skin disorders, fibrotic skin diseases, wound healing complications and cutaneous neoplasms. Here, we discuss the available technologies and technical considerations of single-cell RNA sequencing and describe its applications to a broad spectrum of dermatological diseases.

Automated summary

Single-cell technologies, particularly single-cell RNA sequencing, have revolutionized research in skin biology by enabling the assessment of cell-to-cell variation and elucidation of cellular heterogeneity in human diseases. These technologies have found wide applications in inflammatory skin disorders, fibrotic skin diseases, wound healing complications, and cutaneous neoplasms.