What Technologies Are Utilized in the Human Cell Atlas?
The HCA employs a range of cutting-edge technologies to profile cells at single-cell resolution. Some of the key technologies include:
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq): This technology allows for the analysis of gene expression in individual cells, providing insights into cell identity and function. Spatial transcriptomics: This method preserves the spatial context of cells within tissues while profiling their gene expression, allowing researchers to study the spatial organization of cell types. Mass cytometry: Also known as CyTOF, this technique enables the simultaneous measurement of multiple protein markers on single cells, facilitating the characterization of cell surface and intracellular proteins.
