Improved single-cell ATAC-seq reveals chromatin dynamics of in vitro corticogenesis

Development is a complex process that requires the precise modulation of regulatory gene networks controlled through dynamic changes in the epigenome. Single-cell - omictechnologies provide an avenue for understanding the mechanisms of these processes by capturing the progression of epigenetic cell states during the course of cellular differentiationusing in vitro or in vivo models. However, current single-cell epigenomicmethods are limited in the information garnered per individual cell, which in turn limits their ability to measure chromatin dynamics and state shifts. Single-cell combinatorial indexing (sci-) has been applied as a strategy for identifying single- cell- omic originatinglibraries and removes the necessity of single-cell, single-compartment chemistry. Here, we report an improved sci- assay for transposaseaccessible chromatin by sequencing ( ATAC-seq), which utilizes the small molecule inhibitor Pitstop 2 (scip- ATAC-seq). We demonstrate that these improvements, which theoretically could be applied to any in situ transposition method for single-cell library preparation, significantly increase the ability of transposaseto enter the nucleus and generate highly complex single-cell libraries, without altering biological signal. We applied sci- ATAC-seqand scip- ATAC-seqto characterize the chromatin dynamics of developing forebrain-like organoids, an in vitro model of human corticogenesis. Using these data, we characterized novel putative regulatory elements, compared the epigenomeof the organoidmodel to human cortex data, generated a high-resolution pseudotemporal map of chromatin accessibility through differentiation, and measured epigenomicchanges coinciding with a neurogenic fate decision point. Finally, we combined transcription factor motif accessibility with gene activity (GA) scores to directly observe the dynamics of complex regulatory programs that regulate neurogenesis through developmental pseudotime. Overall, scip- ATAC-seqincreases information content per cell and bolsters the potential for future single-cell studies into complex developmental processes.