RevGel-seq: instrument-free single-cell RNA sequencing using a reversible hydrogel for cell-specific barcoding

Progress in sample preparation for scRNA-seq is reported based on RevGel-seq, a reversible-hydrogel technology. Barcode bead—cell tandems stabilized by a chemical linker are dispersed in the hydrogel in the liquid state. Upon gelation the tandems are immobilized, cell lysis is triggered by detergent diffusion, and RNA molecules are captured on the adjacent barcode beads. After reverse transcription and preparation for cDNA sequencing, bioinformatic analysis reveals performance quality comparable to microfluidic-based technologies.