This book presents an overview of the recent technologies in single molecule and single cell sequencing. These sequencing technologies are revolutionizing the way of the genomic studies and the understanding of complex biological systems. The PacBio sequencer has enabled extremely long-read sequencing and the MinION sequencer has made the sequencing possible in developing countries. New developments and technologies are constantly emerging, which will further expand sequencing applications. In parallel, single cell sequencing technologies are rapidly becoming a popular platform. This volume presents not only an updated overview of these technologies, but also of the related developments in bioinformatics. Without powerful bioinformatics software, where rapid progress is taking place, these new technologies will not realize their full potential. All the contributors to this volume have been involved in the development of these technologies and software and have also made significant progress on their applications. This book is intended to be of interest to a wide audience ranging from genome researchers to basic molecular biologists and clinicians.

This book summarizes the various microfluidic-based approaches for single-cell capture, isolation, manipulation, culture and observation, lysis, and analysis. Single-cell analysis reveals the heterogeneities in morphology, functions, composition, and genetic performance of seemingly identical cells, and advances in single-cell analysis can overcome the difficulties arising due to cell heterogeneity in the diagnostics for a targeted model of disease. This book provides a detailed review of the state-of-the-art techniques presenting the pros and cons of each of these methods. It also offers lessons learned and tips from front-line investigators to help researchers overcome bottlenecks in their own studies. Highlighting a number of techniques, such as microfluidic droplet techniques, combined microfluidics-mass-spectrometry systems, and nanochannel sampling, it describes in detail a new microfluidic chip-based live single-cell extractor (LSCE) developed in the editor’s laboratory, which opens up new avenues to use open microfluidics in single-cell extraction, single-cell mass spectrometric analysis, single-cell adhesion analysis and subcellular operations. Serving as both an elementary introduction and advanced guidebook, this book interests and inspires scholars and students who are currently studying or wish to study microfluidics-based cell analysis methods.

The first-ever comprehensive overview of the methods used in this key technology in modern biology provides the latest working knowledge needed by every scientist entering this growing field. It covers all the current technology and application areas, from microscopy and spectroscopy to proteomics and microfluidics.

This third edition volume expands on the previous editions with new discussions on the latest techniques and developments in the field. The chapters in this book are organized into four parts, and cover topics such as optical tweezers; single-molecule fluorescence tools; atomic force microscopy; magnetic tweezers; applications to virus protein shells, unfolding of proteins, nucleic acids, motor proteins, in vivo and in vitro; and protocols to establish specific surface interactions and perform force calibration. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and thorough, Single Molecule Analysis: Methods and Protocols, Third Edition is a valuable resource for all researchers who want to learn more about this exciting and still expanding field. Chapters 2, 7, 8, 9, 12, 18, and 19 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

With the rapid development of biotechnologies, single-cell sequencing has become an important tool for understanding the molecular mechanisms of diseases, defining cellular heterogeneities and characteristics, and identifying intercellular communications and single-cell-based biomarkers. Providing a clear overview of the clinical applications, the book presents state-of-the-art information on immune cell function, cancer progression, infection, and inflammation gained from single-cell DNA or RNA sequencing. Furthermore, it explores the role of target gene methylation in the pathogenesis of diseases, with a focus on respiratory cancer, infection and chronic diseases. As such it is a valuable resource for clinical researchers and physicians, allowing them to refresh their knowledge and improve early diagnosis and therapy for patients.

This volume explores the latest techniques and workflow for the analysis of single cells metabolism. The chapters in this book cover topics such as the development of mass spectrometry-based single cell approaches, Pico-ESI-MS for single-cell metabolomics analysis; laser capture microdissection; ambient single cell metabolite profile (DESI and LAESI); and MALDI-MS methodology, quantum dots for quantitative cytology to study metabolic heterogeneity of single cells. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, the chapters consist of introductions to the topic, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step guidelines, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and authoritative, Single Cell Metabolism: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for any researcher and scientist interested in learning more about this field.

PacBio’s single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing technology offers important advantages over the short-read DNA sequencing technologies that currently dominate the market. This includes exceptionally long read lengths (20 kb or more), unparalleled consensus accuracy, and the ability to sequence native, non-amplified DNA molecules. From fungi to insects to humans, long reads are now used to create highly accurate reference genomes by de novo assembly of genomic DNA and to obtain a comprehensive view of transcriptomes through the sequencing of full-length cDNAs. Besides reducing biases, sequencing native DNA also permits the direct measurement of DNA base modifications. Therefore, SMRT sequencing has become an attractive technology in many fields, such as agriculture, basic science, and medical research. The boundaries of SMRT sequencing are continuously being pushed by developments in bioinformatics and sample preparation. This book contains a collection of articles showcasing the latest developments and the breadth of applications enabled by SMRT sequencing technology.