Gene Expression Analysis of T-Cells by Single-Cell RNA-Seq.

During the last decade, the rapid progress in the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has provided relevant insights into complex biological systems, ranging from cancer genomics to microbiology. Among NGS technologies, single-cell RNA sequencing is currently used to decipher the complex heterogeneity of several biological samples, including T cells. Even if this technique requires specialized equipment and expertise, nowadays it is broadly applied in research. In this chapter, we will provide an optimized protocol for the isolation of T cells and the preparation of RNA sequencing libraries by using droplet digital technology (ddSEQ, Bio-Rad Laboratories). We will also illustrate a guide to the main steps of data processing and options for data interpretation. This protocol will support users in building a single-cell experimental framework, from sample preparation to data interpretation.