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.
