Single-cell Genomics using Droplet-based Microfluidics

ORAL

Abstract

We develop a system to profile the transcriptome of mammalian cells in isolation using reverse emulsion droplet-based microfluidic techniques. This is accomplished by (a) encapsulating and lysing one cell per emulsion droplet, and (b) uniquely barcoding the RNA contents from each cell using unique DNA-barcoded microgel beads. This enables us to study the transcriptional behavior of a large number of cells at single-cell resolution. We then use these techniques to study transcriptional responses of isolated immune cells to precisely controlled chemical and pathological stimuli provided in the emulsion droplet.

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Authors

  • Anindita Basu

    • SEAS, Harvard University; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

  • Evan Macosko

    • HMS, Harvard University; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

  • Alex Shalek

    • FAS, Harvard University; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

  • Steven McCarroll

    • HMS, Harvard University; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

  • Aviv Regev

    • Dept. of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

  • David Weitz

    • Harvard University
    • School of Engineering and Applied Sciences/Department of Physics, Harvard University
    • SEAS, Harvard