DCS: from Reading Genome to Understanding Life

Xun Xu

BGI Research, Shenzhen, China

xuxun [at] genomics.cn

Abstract

The Central Dogma, initially proposed by Francis Crick in 1958, delineates the essential flow of genetic information within living organisms. It succinctly states that DNA directs RNA, which in turn guides protein synthesis. Consequently, understanding the genome is pivotal for comprehending life itself.

DNA Sequencing (D) has emerged as a critical tool in unraveling the mysteries of life. Leveraging cutting-edge platforms like DNB-based high-throughput sequencing, we have amassed vast genomic data. These technological breakthroughs have illuminated various aspects of biology. However, even armed with genomic information, we grapple with a fundamental question: How does the same genomic blueprint yield diverse cell types?

With Single-cell sequencing technology (C), sequencing individual cells, we’ve gained insights into how the same set of genome orchestrates the intricate dance of cellular forms and functions.

Recent breakthroughs in spatial transcripts (S), particularly techniques like Stereo-seq, to study single cells transcriptome as well as other omics across time and space dimensions. These approaches seek to address critical questions about genome regulation, its impact on cellular diversity, and how these processes influence life phenomena, including aging and disease. The talk will introduce our recent progress of these DCS technologies and application in different biology research projects.