Atlas-scale single-cell DNA methylation profiling with sciMETv3

• Published in: Cell genomics 2024-12, p.100726, Article 100726
• Main Authors: Nichols, Ruth V, Rylaarsdam, Lauren E, O'Connell, Brendan L, Shipony, Zohar, Iremadze, Nika, Acharya, Sonia N, Adey, Andrew C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2666-979X; 2666-979X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100726

Single-cell methods to assess DNA methylation have not achieved the same level of cell throughput per experiment compared to other modalities, with large-scale datasets requiring extensive automation, time, and other resources. Here, we describe sciMETv3, a combinatorial indexing-based technique that enables atlas-scale libraries to be produced in a single experiment. To reduce the sequencing burden, we demonstrate the compatibility of sciMETv3 with capture techniques to enrich regulatory regions, as well as the ability to leverage enzymatic conversion, which can yield higher library diversity. We showcase the throughput of sciMETv3 by producing a >140,000 cell library from human middle frontal gyrus split across four multiplexed individuals using both Illumina and Ultima sequencing instrumentation. Finally, we introduce sciMET+ATAC to enable high-throughput exploration of the interplay between chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation within the same cell.