High-throughput single-cell omics using semipermeable capsules
Denis Baronas, Simonas Norvaisis, Justina Žvirblytė, Greta Leonavičienė, Vincenta Mikulenaite, Karolis Goda, Vytautas Kašėta, Karolis Šablauskas, Laimonas Griškevičius, Simonas Juzėnas, Linas Mažutis
Abstract
Biological systems are inherently complex and heterogeneous. Deciphering this complexity increasingly relies on high-throughput single-cell omics methods and tools that efficiently probe the cellular phenotype and genotype. Here, we present a versatile technology based on semipermeable capsules (SPCs) tailored for a variety of high-throughput nucleic acid assays, including single-cell genome and mRNA sequencing, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based isolation of individual transcriptomes based on a nucleic acid marker of interest. Being biocompatible, the SPCs support single-cell cultivation and clonal expansion over long periods of time, thereby overcoming a fundamental limitation of droplet microfluidics platforms. Overall, the SPCs represent a customizable and broadly applicable tool for easy-to-use, scalable single-cell omics applications that are built on multistep biochemical reactions.