Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a groundbreaking tool named SigRM for studying gene expression in cells through single-cell epitranscriptomics.

This innovative approach allows for the analysis of thousands of individual cells, providing detailed insights into gene and protein activity as well as the chemical changes that affect gene expression.

Current analysis techniques for single-cell epitranscriptomics are limited, leaving many questions about RNA methylation unresolved, which SigRM aims to address.

RNA methylation, a key focus of this research, involves attaching small marker molecules to RNA, which is crucial for gene regulation and influencing cellular behavior.

SigRM analyzes RNA modifications, such as m6A methylation, which significantly influence gene regulation and are relevant to various diseases.

Professor Jia Meng, the lead researcher, emphasizes that SigRM effectively improves the detection and quantification of RNA methylation sites.

The reliability of SigRM has been validated against existing biological knowledge, confirming its significance in understanding complex regulatory mechanisms, particularly in diseases like cancer.

Published in the journal Cell Genomics, SigRM helps create condition-specific regulatory networks, mapping RNA methylation control across different contexts.

Additionally, SigRM enables researchers to track RNA modification dynamics across different cell groups and monitor cellular state changes over time, a process known as trajectory inference.

Professor Meng emphasizes that the implications of SigRM extend beyond the lab, enhancing insights into how RNA modifications influence gene regulation and potentially leading to breakthroughs in medical research and biotechnology.

The development of SigRM represents a significant advancement in understanding how RNA modifications affect gene regulation, with promising implications for future medical research and biotechnology.