ScRNA-seq and ST-seq in liver research

Spatial transcriptomics, which combine gene expression data with spatial information, has quickly expanded in recent years. With application of this method in liver research, our knowledge about liver development, regeneration, and diseases have been greatly improved. While this field is moving forward, a variety of problems still need to be addressed, including sensitivity, limited capacity to obtain exact single-cell information, data processing methods, as well as others. Methods like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) are usually used together with spatial transcriptome sequencing (ST-seq) to clarify cell-specific gene expression. In this review, we explore how advances of scRNA-seq and ST-seq, especially ST-seq, will pave the way to new opportunities to investigate fundamental questions in liver research. Finally, we will discuss the strengths, limitations, and future perspectives of ST-seq in liver research.

Automated summary

Spatial transcriptomics, combining gene expression data with spatial information, has greatly improved our understanding of liver development, regeneration, and diseases. However, there are still challenges to be addressed, such as sensitivity, limited single-cell information, and data processing methods. Advances in techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptome sequencing provide new opportunities for investigating fundamental questions in liver research.