Single-cell 3′ RNA sequencing with 10x Genomics technology is a powerful method for studying gene expression at the single-cell level. It enables the profiling of thousands to tens of thousands of single cells in parallel. It captures heterogeneity within cell populations, allowing the identification of rare cell types and subpopulations. It reveals differences in gene expression between individual cells, providing a more nuanced understanding of cellular diversity.
The Fixed RNA Profiling assay, also called the Single Cell Gene Expression Flex assay by 10X Genomics, is a way to prepare single cell RNA-seq libraries from formaldehyde-fixed cells and tissues as well as FFPE tissue blocks (please consider that from FFPE tissues the isolated population primarily consists of nuclei suspension, thus the RNA-seq analysis is to be intended at nuclear level). This process allows researchers to lock in the biological state of their samples at the time of fixation and store the fixed cell suspension for at least 6 months at -80°C.