Helmholtz Munich Researchers Publish Guide to Single-Cell Atlases
A research team led by Dr. Malte Lücken from the Institute of Computational Biology (ICB) and the Institute of Lung Health & Immunity (LHI) at Helmholtz Munich has published a guide in Nature Methods on creating single-cell atlases—critical tools for mapping cellular diversity. The guide establishes standards for constructing high-quality atlases, fostering global collaboration and driving innovation in biological research and therapeutic development.
Empowering Research Through Single-Cell Atlases
Single-cell RNA sequencing technology has transformed the study of tissues by enabling detailed analysis at the cellular level. Over the past decade, the scientific community has generated numerous single-cell datasets to answer specific biological questions. However, these individual datasets often focus on a narrow scope, profiling only a small set of individuals or samples. To gain a comprehensive understanding of cellular diversity within organs and across individuals, researchers combine these datasets into integrated “atlases.”
These atlases serve as crucial reference tools for tissue biology, providing standardized naming conventions for cell types and offering insights that drive forward scientific discovery and innovation. Despite their importance, the approaches for creating such atlases vary widely across studies leading to atlases of differing quality. This underscores the need for unified standards and workflows.
Standardizing a Crucial Resource for Tissue Biology
Addressing this gap, researchers at Helmholtz Munich have published a guide on building high-quality single-cell atlases and using them to address fundamental biological questions and promote therapeutic innovation. Leveraging their extensive expertise in atlas creation, the team provides detailed recommendations for ensuring the accuracy, usability, and scientific value of these essential resources.
“Atlases are more than just a collection of data – they are foundational tools that set the stage for future research,” said Karin Hrovratin, the first author of the study. “By sharing our expertise, we hope to empower researchers worldwide to build atlases that meet the highest standards and unlock new opportunities in tissue biology,” adds Lisa Sikkema, fellow co-first author.
Driving Collaboration and Progress
The guide also underscores the broader potential of single-cell atlases to foster collaborations and accelerate discoveries in tissue biology and medicine. “Our goal is to create a shared framework that not only advances individual studies but also unites the global research community around common standards and goals,” said Malte Lücken, senior author of the study.
Original Publication
Hrovatin et al., 2024: Considerations for building and using integrated single-cell atlases. Nature Methods. DOI: 10.1038/s41592-024-02532-y.
