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scDEEP-mC Protocol Published, Enables Detailed Single-Cell DNA Methylation Mapping

Researchers are already using the technique’s allele-specific, genome-wide data to detect early methylation shifts that may signal cancer development.

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Overview

  • The Van Andel Institute introduced scDEEP-mC in Nature Communications on July 8, making the protocol publicly available.
  • The method produces high-resolution, genome-wide, allele-resolved maps of DNA methylation in individual cells without averaging signals across cell populations.
  • scDEEP-mC supports analyses of hemimethylation, cellular age estimation via epigenetic clocks, and whole-chromosome X-inactivation profiling.
  • Its unique design allows observation of methylation patterns at distinct stages of DNA replication within single cells.
  • Early adopters are applying scDEEP-mC to identify rare cell subtypes and pinpoint early epigenetic alterations linked to cancer initiation.