Single Cell Genetics and Epigenetics in Early Embryo: From Oocyte to Blastocyst

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2018:1068:103-117. doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-0502-3_9.

Abstract

Single cell technology has enormously changed the landscape of biomedical science, including single cell omics, gene editing, single cell imaging, single cell (embryo) manipulate, or non-invasive micro-test. Single cell technology also leads the research area of early embryo from basic research to reproductive medical application. We got the knowledge of programming/reprogramming and the epigenetics dynamics in the cell lineage differentiation. In the reproductive medicine, the genomic sequencing of embryo or polar body and the preimplantation genetic diagnosis rely on the single cell techniques. Those discoveries will improve the assisted reproductive technologies, human health, and livestock husbandry. In the future, the comprehensive atlas of cell state and lineage information can be generated for cellular systems by single-cell multi-omics approaches.

Keywords: Early embryo; Environment; Epigenetics; Genetics; Single cell.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocyst / chemistry
  • Blastocyst / cytology*
  • Embryonic Development
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Oocytes / chemistry
  • Oocytes / cytology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Single-Cell Analysis / methods*