Implementation and validation of single-cell genomics experiments in neuroscience

Abstract

Single-cell or single-nucleus transcriptomics is a powerful tool for identifying cell types and cell states. However, hypotheses derived from these assays, including gene expression information, require validation, and their functional relevance needs to be established. The choice of validation depends on numerous factors. Here, we present types of orthogonal and functional validation experiment to strengthen preliminary findings obtained using single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomics as well as the challenges and limitations of these approaches. Single-cell or single-nucleus RNA-sequencing experiments form a basis for biological insights about cell types and states, but they require orthogonal experiments to confirm the functional relevance of their findings. Here the authors discuss options to support such findings and their challenges.