Analytical Methods and Application of Single-Cell and Single-Nucleus Transcriptomics in the Study of Ischemic Stroke

Area of Science:

• Genomics and Molecular Biology
• Neuroscience
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• Ischemic stroke is a major global health challenge with complex underlying mechanisms.
• Single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (sc/snRNA-seq) offer high-resolution insights into cellular diversity in disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and summarize the bioinformatic analytical methods and application strategies of sc/snRNA-seq in ischemic stroke research.
• To provide a structured overview of how sc/snRNA-seq is currently utilized across various research contexts in ischemic stroke.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase.
• Analysis of retrieved studies focusing on sc/snRNA-seq applications and bioinformatic approaches in ischemic stroke.
• Categorization of analytical methods and research contexts.

Main Results:

• Rapid expansion of sc/snRNA-seq applications across species and sample types in ischemic stroke research.
• Diverse bioinformatic analyses employed, including clustering, differential expression, trajectory inference, gene regulatory networks, and cell-cell communication.
• Integration of multi-omics data and advances in temporal/spatial resolution enhance stroke mechanism investigation.

Conclusions:

• sc/snRNA-seq offers powerful tools for dissecting ischemic stroke complexity.
• Standardized study designs and coordinated analytical strategies are recommended for future research.
• This review provides a framework for understanding and advancing single-cell technology applications in stroke.