Biology subjects

Datlinger, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Datlinger, P..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Comparative analysis of genome-scale, base-resolution DNA methylation profiles across 580 animal species

Methylation of cytosines is the prototypic epigenetic modification of the DNA. It has been implicated in various regulatory mechanisms throughout the animal kingdom and particularly in vertebrates. We mapped DNA methylation in 580 animal species (535 vertebrates, 45 invertebrates), resulting in 2443 genome-scale, base-resolution DNA methylation profiles of primary tissue samples from various organs. Reference-genome independent analysis of this comprehensive dataset quantified the association of DNA methylation with the underlying genomic DNA sequence throughout vertebrate evolution. We observed a broadly conserved link with two major transitions - once in the first vertebrates and again with the emergence of reptiles. Cross-species comparisons focusing on individual organs supported a deeply conserved association of DNA methylation with tissue type, and cross-mapping analysis of DNA methylation at gene promoters revealed evolutionary changes for orthologous genes with conserved DNA methylation patterns. In summary, this study establishes a large resource of vertebrate and invertebrate DNA methylomes, it showcases the power of reference-free epigenome analysis in species for which no reference genomes are available, and it contributes an epigenetic perspective to the study of vertebrate evolution.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2019

Ultra-high throughput single-cell RNA sequencing by combinatorial fluidic indexing

Cell atlas projects and single-cell CRISPR screens hit the limits of current technology, as they require cost-effective profiling for millions of individual cells. To satisfy these enormous throughput requirements, we developed "single-cell combinatorial fluidic indexing" (scifi) and applied it to single-cell RNA sequencing. The resulting scifi-RNA-seq assay combines one-step combinatorial pre-indexing of single-cell transcriptomes with subsequent single-cell RNA-seq using widely available droplet microfluidics. Pre-indexing allows us to load multiple cells per droplet, which increases the throughput of droplet-based single-cell RNA-seq up to 15-fold, and it provides a straightforward way of multiplexing hundreds of samples in a single scifi-RNA-seq experiment. Compared to multi-round combinatorial indexing, scifi-RNA-seq provides an easier, faster, and more efficient workflow, thereby enabling massive-scale scRNA-seq experiments for a broad range of applications ranging from population genomics to drug screens with scRNA-seq readout. We benchmarked scifi-RNA-seq on various human and mouse cell lines, and we demonstrated its feasibility for human primary material by profiling TCR activation in T cells.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2017

The DNA methylation landscape of glioblastoma disease progression shows extensive heterogeneity in time and space

Glioblastoma is characterized by widespread genetic and transcriptional heterogeneity, yet little is known about the role of the epigenome in glioblastoma disease progression. Here, we present genome-scale maps of the DNA methylation dynamics in matched primary and recurring glioblastoma tumors, based on a national population registry and a comprehensively annotated clinical cohort. We demonstrate the feasibility of DNA methylation mapping in a large set of routinely collected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, and we validate bisulfite sequencing as a multi-purpose assay that allowed us to infer a range of different genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptional tumor characteristics. Based on these data, we identified characteristic differences between primary and recurring tumors, links between DNA methylation and the tumor microenvironment, and an association of epigenetic tumor heterogeneity with patient survival. In summary, this study provides a resource for dissecting DNA methylation heterogeneity in genetically diverse and heterogeneous tumors, and it demonstrates the feasibility of integrating epigenomics, radiology, and digital pathology in a representative national cohort, leveraging samples and data collected as part of routine clinical practice.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2016

Pooled CRISPR screening with single-cell transcriptome read-out

CRISPR-based genetic screens have revolutionized the search for new gene functions and biological mechanisms. However, widely used pooled screens are limited to simple read-outs of cell proliferation or the production of a selectable marker protein. Arrayed screens allow for more complex molecular read-outs such as transcriptome profiling, but they provide much lower throughput. Here we demonstrate CRISPR genome editing together with single-cell RNA sequencing as a new screening paradigm that combines key advantages of pooled and arrayed screens. This approach allowed us to link guide-RNA expression to the associated transcriptome responses in thousands of single cells using a straightforward and broadly applicable screening workflow.

genomics↗