Abstract 3540: A complete solution for high throughput single cell targeted multiomic DNA and RNA sequencing for cancer research

Recent advancements in single cell analysis technologies are now able to provide insights into genomic DNA content, RNA expression and protein surface markers. In bulk assays, the effect of genetic variation on gene expression would be masked by the heterogeneity inherent in tumor cells. Additionally, for cancer immunotherapy studies that rely on gene editing, single cell resolution is necessary to minimize possible off target effects. However, the ability to simultaneously interrogate multiple intracellular analytes, such as genomic DNA and RNA, have proved difficult to implement in a high throughput single cell workflow. We report the development of a complete solution that enables both targeted genomic DNA and RNA sequencing from individual cells. This workflow relies on the Tapestri microfluidic droplet platform, where up to 20,000 cells can be sequenced in each run. Leveraging proprietary cell barcoding, novel primer design strategies and enzymatic manipulation of cellular contents, DNA and RNA multiplex targeted sequencing panels provide for independent barcoded sequence information from both overlapping mRNA and corresponding genomic DNA regions. In addition, amplification primers can be designed to target separate gDNA and non-overlapping RNA transcript. Sequencing is followed by an integrated analysis solution that assigns the reads from both the gDNA and RNA to each cell. Feasibility of the targeted nucleic acid workflow has been shown with inputs from mixed cancer cell lines. A targeted sequencing panel with overlapping mRNA and gDNA regions was designed covering oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and known fusions. Expected SNVs and indels were detected and gene expression measured for thousands of cells per run with high cell recovery. This complete solution for single cell multiomics on the Tapestri platform has the power to quantitatively and unambiguously link genotypic and phenotypic data, giving insight into cancer progression. Citation Format: Dalia Dhingra, Kaustubh Gokhale, Nianzhen Li, Pedro Mendez, Shu Wang, Manimozhi Manivannan, Adam Sciambi, Keith Jones, Charlie Silver, Dennis Eastburn, David Ruff. A complete solution for high throughput single cell targeted multiomic DNA and RNA sequencing for cancer research [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3540.