Single Cell RNA-Sequencing and Its Application in Livestock Animals

Single cell RNA sequencing (ScRNAseq) is in its infancy. There are limited studies in which this technique has been implemented to solve the scientific problem. ScRNAseq involves well facilitated labs and high end computing facilities. The ScRNAseq studies were mainly carried out in the clinical and biomedical areas. These studies are carried out in cancer research, which involves the role of immune genes or immunotherapy for cancer treatment. The human cell atlas programme is going on and atlases for different human cells are being released as it is completed. However, in the case of livestock animals, it has just started. In India, there are few ScRNAseq studies that have focused on the different developmental stages of buffalo. The experimental and bioinformatics analysis ScRNAseq involves various steps. Among this, the alignment of reads to reference genome/transcriptome is important. There is a need to develop a standardized reference genome/transcriptome for each type of cell present in different domestic/commercial livestock. Once we have all the valuable information from ScRNAseq, then this data can be integrated with system biology approaches to understand the cellular processes at a larger scale. This integration of interdisciplinary sciences will enhance the production, quality and health of the livestock animals and may help for sustainable management of livestock. 

Keywords: Livestock, Single cell sequencing, Single cell atlas, Spatial biology, System biology.