Single-Cell Sequencing Technologies – Current and Future

Intensively developed in the last few years, single-cell sequencing technologies now present numerous advantages over traditional sequencing methods for solving the problems of biological heterogeneity and low quantities of available biological materials. The application of single-cell sequencing technologies has profoundly changed our understanding of a series of biological phenomena, including gene transcription, embryo development, and carcinogenesis. However, before single-cell sequencing technologies can be used extensively, researchers face the serious challenge of overcoming inherent issues of high amplification bias, low accuracy and reproducibility. Here, the techniques used for single-cell isolation are summarized, and the current technologies used in single-cell genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic sequencing are reviewed. The authors discuss the merits, defects, and scope of application of single-cell sequencing technologies and then speculate on the direction of future developments.