The applications of single-cell multiomics in drug screening

Abstract

Single-cell multiomics (scMultiomics) technologies and methods encompassing transcriptomics, genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, together with associated computational tools have profoundly revolutionized disease research, enabling unprecedented dissection of cellular heterogeneity and dynamic biological responses. The use of scMultiomics technologies to study drug drug screening, actions and responses has not only unlocked novel avenues in precision drug screening but also transformed our understanding of how small molecules target specific cell types in cancer treatment, as well as their connections to disease etiology and progression from a high-resolution view of their functional diversity. In this review, we systematically explore how scMultiomics technologies develop and drive advancements in drug screening. With a specific focus on the applications in target identification, drug response, and drug resistance, we highlight how scMultiomics can link cellular-level insights with individualized drug screening, which in turn promises actionable strategies to improve therapeutic precision in drug development.