1
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Protti G, Spreafico R. A primer on single-cell RNA-seq analysis using dendritic cells as a case study. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 39245787 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.15009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in single-cell (sc) transcriptomics have revolutionized our understanding of dendritic cells (DCs), pivotal players of the immune system. ScRNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) has unraveled a previously unrecognized complexity and heterogeneity of DC subsets, shedding light on their ontogeny and specialized roles. However, navigating the rapid technological progress and computational methods can be daunting for researchers unfamiliar with the field. This review aims to provide immunologists with a comprehensive introduction to sc transcriptomic analysis, offering insights into recent developments in DC biology. Addressing common analytical queries, we guide readers through popular tools and methodologies, supplemented with references to benchmarks and tutorials for in-depth understanding. By examining findings from pioneering studies, we illustrate how computational techniques have expanded our knowledge of DC biology. Through this synthesis, we aim to equip researchers with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate and leverage scRNA-seq for unraveling the intricacies of DC biology and advancing immunological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Protti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Spreafico
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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2
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Qiao Y, Cheng T, Miao Z, Cui Y, Tu J. Recent Innovations and Technical Advances in High-Throughput Parallel Single-Cell Whole-Genome Sequencing Methods. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2400789. [PMID: 38979872 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Single-cell whole-genome sequencing (scWGS) detects cell heterogeneity at the aspect of genomic variations, which are inheritable and play an important role in life processes such as aging and cancer progression. The recent explosive development of high-throughput single-cell sequencing methods has enabled high-performance heterogeneity detection through a vast number of novel strategies. Despite the limitation on total cost, technical advances in high-throughput single-cell whole-genome sequencing methods are made for higher genome coverage, parallel throughput, and level of integration. This review highlights the technical advancements in high-throughput scWGS in the aspects of strategies design, data efficiency, parallel handling platforms, and their applications on human genome. The experimental innovations, remaining challenges, and perspectives are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Tianguang Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Zikun Miao
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Yue Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
| | - Jing Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China
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3
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Zhou X, Pan J, Chen L, Zhang S, Chen Y. DeepIMAGER: Deeply Analyzing Gene Regulatory Networks from scRNA-seq Data. Biomolecules 2024; 14:766. [PMID: 39062480 PMCID: PMC11274664 DOI: 10.3390/biom14070766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the dynamics of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) across diverse cell types poses a challenge yet holds immense value in unraveling the molecular mechanisms governing cellular processes. Current computational methods, which rely solely on expression changes from bulk RNA-seq and/or scRNA-seq data, often result in high rates of false positives and low precision. Here, we introduce an advanced computational tool, DeepIMAGER, for inferring cell-specific GRNs through deep learning and data integration. DeepIMAGER employs a supervised approach that transforms the co-expression patterns of gene pairs into image-like representations and leverages transcription factor (TF) binding information for model training. It is trained using comprehensive datasets that encompass scRNA-seq profiles and ChIP-seq data, capturing TF-gene pair information across various cell types. Comprehensive validations on six cell lines show DeepIMAGER exhibits superior performance in ten popular GRN inference tools and has remarkable robustness against dropout-zero events. DeepIMAGER was applied to scRNA-seq datasets of multiple myeloma (MM) and detected potential GRNs for TFs of RORC, MITF, and FOXD2 in MM dendritic cells. This technical innovation, combined with its capability to accurately decode GRNs from scRNA-seq, establishes DeepIMAGER as a valuable tool for unraveling complex regulatory networks in various cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiguo Zhou
- College of Computer and Information Engineering, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China; (X.Z.); (J.P.); (L.C.)
| | - Jingyi Pan
- College of Computer and Information Engineering, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China; (X.Z.); (J.P.); (L.C.)
| | - Liang Chen
- College of Computer and Information Engineering, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China; (X.Z.); (J.P.); (L.C.)
| | - Shaoqiang Zhang
- College of Computer and Information Engineering, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China; (X.Z.); (J.P.); (L.C.)
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
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4
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Ye F, Zhang S, Fu Y, Yang L, Zhang G, Wu Y, Pan J, Chen H, Wang X, Ma L, Niu H, Jiang M, Zhang T, Jia D, Wang J, Wang Y, Han X, Guo G. Fast and flexible profiling of chromatin accessibility and total RNA expression in single nuclei using Microwell-seq3. Cell Discov 2024; 10:33. [PMID: 38531851 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-023-00642-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Single cell chromatin accessibility profiling and transcriptome sequencing are the most widely used technologies for single-cell genomics. Here, we present Microwell-seq3, a high-throughput and facile platform for high-sensitivity single-nucleus chromatin accessibility or full-length transcriptome profiling. The method combines a preindexing strategy and a penetrable chip-in-a-tube for single nucleus loading and DNA amplification and therefore does not require specialized equipment. We used Microwell-seq3 to profile chromatin accessibility in more than 200,000 single nuclei and the full-length transcriptome in ~50,000 nuclei from multiple adult mouse tissues. Compared with the existing polyadenylated transcript capture methods, integrative analysis of cell type-specific regulatory elements and total RNA expression uncovered comprehensive cell type heterogeneity in the brain. Gene regulatory networks based on chromatin accessibility profiling provided an improved cell type communication model. Finally, we demonstrated that Microwell-seq3 can identify malignant cells and their specific regulons in spontaneous lung tumors of aged mice. We envision a broad application of Microwell-seq3 in many areas of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Ye
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuting Fu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Yang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guodong Zhang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yijun Wu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Pan
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haide Chen
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lifeng Ma
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haofu Niu
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengmeng Jiang
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingyue Zhang
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Danmei Jia
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongcheng Wang
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoping Han
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guoji Guo
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, and Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Li Dak Sum & Yip Yio Chin Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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5
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Zhang H, Mulqueen RM, Iannuzo N, Farrera DO, Polverino F, Galligan JJ, Ledford JG, Adey AC, Cusanovich DA. txci-ATAC-seq: a massive-scale single-cell technique to profile chromatin accessibility. Genome Biol 2024; 25:78. [PMID: 38519979 PMCID: PMC10958877 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03150-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
We develop a large-scale single-cell ATAC-seq method by combining Tn5-based pre-indexing with 10× Genomics barcoding, enabling the indexing of up to 200,000 nuclei across multiple samples in a single reaction. We profile 449,953 nuclei across diverse tissues, including the human cortex, mouse brain, human lung, mouse lung, mouse liver, and lung tissue from a club cell secretory protein knockout (CC16-/-) model. Our study of CC16-/- nuclei uncovers previously underappreciated technical artifacts derived from remnant 129 mouse strain genetic material, which cause profound cell-type-specific changes in regulatory elements near many genes, thereby confounding the interpretation of this commonly referenced mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Ryan M Mulqueen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Natalie Iannuzo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Dominique O Farrera
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Francesca Polverino
- Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Banner - University Medicine North, Pulmonary - Clinic F, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - James J Galligan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Julie G Ledford
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Andrew C Adey
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
- Oregon Health & Science University, Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR, USA.
- Oregon Health & Science University, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Portland, OR, USA.
| | - Darren A Cusanovich
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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6
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Qu HQ, Kao C, Hakonarson H. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Technology Landscape in 2023. Stem Cells 2024; 42:1-12. [PMID: 37934608 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxad077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has revolutionized our understanding of cellular heterogeneity and the dynamics of gene expression, bearing profound significance in stem cell research. Depending on the starting materials used for analysis, scRNA-seq encompasses scRNA-seq and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq). scRNA-seq excels in capturing cellular heterogeneity and characterizing rare cell populations within complex tissues, while snRNA-seq is advantageous in situations where intact cell dissociation is challenging or undesirable (eg, epigenomic studies). A number of scRNA-seq technologies have been developed as of late, including but not limited to droplet-based, plate-based, hydrogel-based, and spatial transcriptomics. The number of cells, sequencing depth, and sequencing length in scRNA-seq can vary across different studies. Addressing current technical challenges will drive the future of scRNA-seq, leading to more comprehensive and precise insights into cellular biology and disease mechanisms informing therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Qi Qu
- The Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PAUSA
| | - Charlly Kao
- The Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PAUSA
| | - Hakon Hakonarson
- The Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PAUSA
- Department of Pediatrics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
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7
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Booth GT, Daza RM, Srivatsan SR, McFaline-Figueroa JL, Gladden RG, Mullen AC, Furlan SN, Shendure J, Trapnell C. High-capacity sample multiplexing for single cell chromatin accessibility profiling. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:737. [PMID: 38049719 PMCID: PMC10696879 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09832-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell chromatin accessibility has emerged as a powerful means of understanding the epigenetic landscape of diverse tissues and cell types, but profiling cells from many independent specimens is challenging and costly. Here we describe a novel approach, sciPlex-ATAC-seq, which uses unmodified DNA oligos as sample-specific nuclear labels, enabling the concurrent profiling of chromatin accessibility within single nuclei from virtually unlimited specimens or experimental conditions. We first demonstrate our method with a chemical epigenomics screen, in which we identify drug-altered distal regulatory sites predictive of compound- and dose-dependent effects on transcription. We then analyze cell type-specific chromatin changes in PBMCs from multiple donors responding to synthetic and allogeneic immune stimulation. We quantify stimulation-altered immune cell compositions and isolate the unique effects of allogeneic stimulation on chromatin accessibility specific to T-lymphocytes. Finally, we observe that impaired global chromatin decondensation often coincides with chemical inhibition of allogeneic T-cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory T Booth
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Riza M Daza
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sanjay R Srivatsan
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - José L McFaline-Figueroa
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Rula Green Gladden
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew C Mullen
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Scott N Furlan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jay Shendure
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cole Trapnell
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Allen Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing, Seattle, WA, USA.
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8
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Tseng KC, Crump JG. Craniofacial developmental biology in the single-cell era. Development 2023; 150:dev202077. [PMID: 37812056 PMCID: PMC10617621 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of a unique craniofacial complex in vertebrates made possible new ways of breathing, eating, communicating and sensing the environment. The head and face develop through interactions of all three germ layers, the endoderm, ectoderm and mesoderm, as well as the so-called fourth germ layer, the cranial neural crest. Over a century of experimental embryology and genetics have revealed an incredible diversity of cell types derived from each germ layer, signaling pathways and genes that coordinate craniofacial development, and how changes to these underlie human disease and vertebrate evolution. Yet for many diseases and congenital anomalies, we have an incomplete picture of the causative genomic changes, in particular how alterations to the non-coding genome might affect craniofacial gene expression. Emerging genomics and single-cell technologies provide an opportunity to obtain a more holistic view of the genes and gene regulatory elements orchestrating craniofacial development across vertebrates. These single-cell studies generate novel hypotheses that can be experimentally validated in vivo. In this Review, we highlight recent advances in single-cell studies of diverse craniofacial structures, as well as potential pitfalls and the need for extensive in vivo validation. We discuss how these studies inform the developmental sources and regulation of head structures, bringing new insights into the etiology of structural birth anomalies that affect the vertebrate head.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Chang Tseng
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - J. Gage Crump
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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