Project description:We report a novel approach for studying the transcriptomic changes during cell differentiation, using Physarum as a model 3 samples examined: starved plasmodium, starved plasmodium collected 2 hours after photoinduction, and starved plasmodium collected 6 hours after induction
Project description:In multicellular organisms, the specification, coordination, and compartmentalization of cell types enable the formation of complex body plans. However, some eukaryotic protists such as slime molds generate diverse and complex structures while remaining in a multinucleated syncytial state. It is unknown if different regions of these giant syncytial cells have distinct transcriptional responses to environmental encounters, and if nuclei within the cell diversify into heterogeneous states. Here we performed spatial transcriptome analysis of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum in the plasmodium state under different environmental conditions, and used single-nucleus RNA-sequencing to dissect gene expression heterogeneity among nuclei. Our data identifies transcriptome regionality in the organism that associates with proliferation, syncytial substructures, and localized environmental conditions. Further, we find that nuclei are heterogenous in their transcriptional profile, and may process local signals within the plasmodium to coordinate cell growth, metabolism, and reproduction. To understand how nuclei variation within the syncytium compares to heterogeneity in single-nucleated cells, we analyzed states in single Physarum amoebal cells. We observed amoebal cell states at different stages of mitosis and meiosis, and identified cytokinetic features that are specific to nuclei divisions within the syncytium. Notably, we do not find evidence for predefined transcriptomic states in the amoebae that are observed in the syncytium. Our data shows that a single-celled slime mold can control its gene expression in a region-specific manner while lacking cellular compartmentalization, and suggests that nuclei are mobile processors facilitating local specialized functions. More broadly, slime molds offer the extraordinary opportunity to explore how organisms can evolve regulatory mechanisms to divide labor, specialize, balance competition with cooperation, and perform other foundational principles that govern the logic of life.
Project description:Integrative epigenomic and transcriptomic characterization of hepatocyte-like cells differentiated in vitro from human induced pluripotent stem cells in comparison with primary human hepatocytes. This study comprises single cell RNA-seq, bulk mRNA-seq, ATAC-seq and RRBS.
Project description:<p>Defining the number, proportion, or lineage of distinct cell types in the developing human brain is an important goal of modern brain research. We produced single cell transcriptomic profiles for 40,000 cells at mid-gestation to define deep expression profiles corresponding to all known major cell types at this developmental period and compare this with bulk tissue profiles. We identified multiple transcription factors (TFs) and co-factors expressed in specific cell types, including multiple new cell-type-specific relationships, providing an unprecedented resource for understanding human neocortical development and evolution. This includes the first single-cell characterization of human subplate neurons and subtypes of developing glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons. We also used these data to deconvolute single cell regulatory networks that connect regulatory elements and transcriptional drivers to single cell gene expression programs in the developing CNS. We characterized major developmental trajectories that tie cell cycle progression with early cell fate decisions during early neurogenesis. Remarkably, we found that differentiation occurs on a transcriptomic continuum, so that differentiating cells not only express the few key TFs that drive cell fates, but express broad, mixed cell-type transcriptomes prior to telophase. Finally, we mapped neuropsychiatric disease genes to specific cell types, implicating dysregulation of specific cell types in ASD, ID, and epilepsy, as the mechanistic underpinnings of several neurodevelopmental disorders. Together these results provide an extensive catalog of cell types in human neocortex and extend our understanding of early cortical development, human brain evolution and the cellular basis of neuropsychiatric disease.</p>
Project description:Over the last 10 years, technological advances in molecular biology enabled a more accurate genomic characterization of tumors. For each tumor location, this led to the identification of subgroups with similar molecular characteristics. This identification allowed the development of targeted therapies and thus to improve the patient prognosis. This molecular characterization has also revealed the tumor heterogeneity. It may be the cause of treatment resistance and therefore of relapses. Additionally, tumor cells are in constant dialogue with their microenvironment composed of different immune or non immune cells. This microenvironment is now targeted in cancer treatment.
To date, there are few studies that combine a deep genomic characterization of both tumor and tumor microenvironment of the patient. Combining the two types of studies on the same tumor should help to define new therapeutic targets and should allow a combination of targeted and immunomodulatory therapies. To this end, our project is to conduct an exhaustive integrated exploratory analysis at genomic, transcriptomic and immunological levels of 3 tumor types (in colon, kidney and liver cancer).