Last week, we posted about the impact of techninal variability in single-cell experiments. How can you begin to combat these challenges early in your experiment?
At our recent FOG Live: Single-Cell and Spatial event, Kristen Beaumont (Assistant Professor, Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine) discussed how to optimise your sample prep protocols. Kristen uses single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analysis in her work to spearhead research investigating the role of heterogeneity in cancer metastasis. Here, we showcase some top tips for sample prep, based off of Kristen’s insightful presentation.
1. Understand your samples:
– Kristen emphasises that “understanding your samples is a critical yet under-appreciated aspect of single cell sequencing.” This suggests that thoroughly understanding the characteristics and nuances of your sample types is crucial for successful sample preparation.
2. Embrace an iterative approach:
– Kristen notes that “proper sample preparation may not be trivial. It may take some iteration, and that’s okay.” This indicates that being prepared to iterate and refine the sample preparation process, rather than expecting immediate success, is important.
3. Leverage diverse sample experiences:
– Kristen highlights the Center for Advanced Genomics Technology’s integration with various hospital departments, which has provided them with a “really amazing plethora of samples” to work with. This suggests that gaining experience with a diverse range of sample types can help inform and improve the sample preparation process.
By following these principles, you can work to improve your sample preparation techniques and mitigate technical variability in their single cell and single nuclei sequencing experiments.
