Beyond conventional cell and molecular biology research methods

NGS methods enable global analyses of gene expression and regulation

Cellular & Molecular Biology Research

Traditionally, cell and molecular biology research seeks to understand the function of a single gene, gene family, or signal transduction pathway, often through the disruption or modification of single genes. Researchers use signal-based methods such as microscopy, flow cytometry, and protein blotting and molecular assays such as PCR/qPCR, Sanger sequencing, and gene expression arrays. This approach is time-consuming and does not always result in conclusive findings.

Array and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies from Illumina can broaden cell and molecular biology research beyond the conventional methods of protein-interaction and single-gene functional studies. Illumina technology enables analysis across the genome, transcriptome, and epigenome. Results can inform experimental design and subsequent studies, saving time and allowing researchers to publish sooner.

Single-Cell Sequencing Workflow

Single-cell sequencing can reveal the cell types present and how individual cells are contributing to the function of that system.

View Video
Empowering Single-Cell and Spatial Experiments with Sample Multiplexing

Researchers from UCSF discuss MULTI-Seq, a sample barcoding strategy for single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing. The method involves minimal sample processing, thereby preserving cell viability and endogenous gene expression patterns.

View Webinar
Protein Detection by Sequencing: Towards a Definitive Cellular Phenotype

Methods that allow researchers to sequence and detect extracellular proteins in individual cells simultaneously reveal new cell types and states associated with disease.

Read More
Quality Control for Single-Cell Sequencing Experiments

Learn best practices for preparing cell suspensions with sample preparation solutions from Miltenyi Biotec.

View Webinar

Compare the benefits of NGS technology to quantitative PCR and find out which one to choose.

Learn More

NGS in Cell Biology Research

See how NGS opens new avenues to exploring and understanding the cellular activity of disease.

Read Introduction

Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Articles

 
Exploring the Tumor Microenvironment
Exploring the Tumor Microenvironment

Single-cell sequencing proves invaluable in detecting intracellular communication in tumors.

Read Interview
The Weizmann Institute Uses NovaSeq to Drive Single Cell Research
The Weizmann Institute Uses NovaSeq to Drive Single-Cell Research

By analyzing one cell at a time, Professor Amit is improving our understanding of biological systems in health and disease.

Read Article
Identifying Breast Cancer Targets Using High-Throughput NGS
Identifying Breast Cancer Targets Using High-Throughput NGS

The Breast Cancer Atlas Project is sequencing more than a million breast cancer cells with the NovaSeq 6000 System.

Read Case Study

A computer scientist is expanding the reach of scRNA-Seq data through new open source technologies.

Read Interview
Single-Cell Analysis is Fueling New Discoveries in Developmental Biology
COVID-19 Host Risk and Response

Understanding host genetic differences and individual responses to the SARS-CoV-2 virus increases understanding of disease susceptibiliity and severity. Read more about the methods for host risk & immune response studies.

Learn More
Understanding COVID-19 host risk and response
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing

Explore the distinct biology of individual cells within a complex tissue, or investigate the molecular mechanisms behind subpopulation responses to environmental cues.

Learn More
Targeted Resequencing

Focus on sequencing targeted genomic regions of interest, or simultaneously sequence large numbers of genes associated with a disease or phenotype.

Learn More
Methylation Analysis

Quantitatively investigate methylation patterns using sequencing- and array-based techniques, and gain valuable insight into gene regulation.

Learn More
Genotyping

Explore genetic variants such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and large structural changes in DNA  using genome-wide or targeted approaches.

Learn More
Genome Editing

Find out how NGS enables researchers to confirm CRISPR gene knockouts, analyze off-target effects, assess the the functional impact of edits, and more.

Learn More
Chromatin Accessibility Analysis

Use ATAC-Seq to assess chromatin accessibility in single cells and uncover how chromatin packaging and other factors affect gene expression.

Learn More
Beginner's Guide to Next-Generation Sequencing

Considering bringing next-generation sequencing to your lab, but unsure where to start? These resources cover key topics in NGS and are designed to help you plan your first experiment.

Get Started
Beginner's Guide to Next-Generation Sequencing

NextSeq 1000 and 2000 Single-Cell RNA Sequencing System: The NextSeq 1000 and NextSeq 2000 Systems support emerging and mid-throughput sequencing applications as well as a broad range of methods such as exome sequencing, target enrichment, sincle-cell profiling, transcriptome sequencing and more.

App Note: NextSeq 1000 and 2000 Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Solution: This cost-effective, flexible workflow measures gene expression in single cells and offers high-resolution analysis to discover cellular differences usually masked by bulk sampling methods. This app note outlines the workflow, provides example study designs and throughput charts, and more.

AmpliSeq for Illumina Targeted Resequencing Solution: A streamlined, scalable amplicon sequencing solution, producing high-confidence data from low-input DNA and RNA samples.

Infinium Global Screening Array: A next-generation genotyping array for population-scale genetics, variant screening, pharmacogenomics studies, and precision medicine research.

MethylationEPIC BeadChip: Robust methylation profiling microarray with extensive coverage of CpG islands, genes, and enhancers. Use for epigenome-wide association studies.

From Genotype to Phenotype

Dr Lachlan Jolly discusses insights into gene function in cell models of brain development.

View Webinar
Interested in receiving newsletters, case studies, and information on complex disease genomics? Please enter your email address.
The Singular Neuron - Understanding Complex Biology One Cell at a Time
The Singular Neuron - Understanding Complex Biology One Cell at a Time

Learn how single-cell RNA sequencing can be used to understand how individual cells function in their microenvironment.

View Video
Software Tools to Simplify Data Analysis
Software Tools to Simplify Data Analysis

Illumina bioinformatics tools can help researchers manage, analyze, and interpret genomic data.

Explore Bioinformatics Software
Resolve whole transcriptome within tissue architecture with 10x Genomics
Resolve whole transcriptome within tissue architecture with 10x Genomics
Mapping the full transcriptome from tissue sections while retaining morphological context
Read Tech Note
High-throughput spatial transcriptomics of complex tissues with Nanostring
High-throughput spatial transcriptomics of complex tissues with Nanostring
Discover high-plexity spatial technologies for gene and protein profiling
Read App Note
Cellular Research Review
Cellular Research Review

This review highlights recent publications that used Illumina technology for single-cell sequencing.

Read Review
Connecting single-cell gene expression and chromatin accessibility
Connecting single-cell gene expression and chromatin accessibility
A protocol for simultaneous profiling of the transcriptome and epigenome from single cells with 10x Genomics
Read Tech Note
NextSeq 1000 & NextSeq 2000 single-cell RNA sequencing
NextSeq 1000 & NextSeq 2000 single-cell RNA sequencing
A cost-effective, flexible workflow for measuring gene expression in single cells
Read App Note
High-plex spatial proteogenomics of FFPE tissue sections with Nanostring
High-plex spatial proteogenomics of FFPE tissue sections with Nanostring
Revealing the tissue architecture of astrocytoma and glioblastoma
Read App Note
Workflows for RNA Sequencing Guide
Workflows for RNA Sequencing Guide

Learn about Illumina solutions for next-generation RNA sequencing applications.

Download Now
Probe the immune system at single-cell resolution with 10x Genomics
Probe the immune system at single-cell resolution with 10x Genomics
A multiomic approach to determine how the adaptive immune system functions
Read Tech Note
Correlating the expression of protein and RNA with BioLegend
Correlating the expression of protein and RNA with BioLegend
Learn more about single-cell sequencing technologies that combine analysis of RNA and protein
Read App Note
Multiplex high-throughput proteomics with Olink
Multiplex high-throughput proteomics with Olink
Detecting ~3000 proteins simultaneously from various sample types with low input volume
Read Tech Note
Mapping Neural Diversity with Single-Cell RNA-Seq
Mapping Neural Diversity with Single-Cell RNA-Seq

The ability to analyze gene expression signatures from individual cells is transforming the way neurons are classified.

Read Interview
Exploring transcriptome with single‑cell resolution with 10x Genomics
Exploring transcriptome with single‑cell resolution with 10x Genomics
Enabling research to tease apart cellular heterogeneity in complex samples
Read Tech Note
Enabling single-cell proteomics using TotalSeq-A and NGS
Enabling single-cell proteomics using TotalSeq-A and NGS
Optimizing use of BioLegend TotalSeq antibodies
Read App Note