Long-read single cell transcriptomics uncovers isoform preferences in developing human retina

These findings were confirmed and deepened in recent years with the advance of single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq). However, many processes that guide progenitor to postmitotic cell differentiation remain elusive, especially since some genes seem to yield different cell populations without apparent correlation with expression level or timing.

Here, differential transcript isoform usage might play a role in diversifying the function of developmental genes. In short-read based scRNAseq, isoforms can only be identified if a read maps to a unique sequence or exon junction. However, due to the sparsity and very short reads, these events are extremely rare.