{
  "abstract": "Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is constrained by rapid RNA degradation during sample storage, necessitating cold-chain logistics. Here we present spatially confined biosilicification (SCB), wherein RNA is encapsulated within a nanoscopic layer of amorphous silicon dioxide, as a highly effective methodology enabling ambient-temperature preservation of single-cell transcriptomes. By judiciously incorporating a silicification inhibitor, SCB achieves spatiotemporal control over both intra- and extracellular silica deposition, preventing excessive crosslinking and cell aggregation while preserving RNA biointegrity and accessibility. scRNA-seq performed with biosilicified cells (Si-scRNA-seq) maintained high transcriptomic fidelity with fresh samples (R2 = 0.95 after 7 d) extending RNA half-life to 54.8 d at 25 °C, a 685-fold improvement compared to unprotected samples. Furthermore, Si-scRNA-seq confers robust resistance against oxidative and UV degradation. Compatible with mainstream platforms at ~0.1 RMB per sample, Si-scRNA-seq successfully resolves cellular heterogeneity in clinical lung, liver, and ovarian cancer specimens after extended room-temperature storage. Si-scRNA-seq provides a scalable and cold-chain–free solution for single-cell transcriptomics in research and clinical settings.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Low-Carbon Synthetic Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, People’s Republic of China",
    "National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, People’s Republic of China",
    "Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou 510005, People’s Republic of China",
    "Center for Micro-Engineered Materials and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131",
    "Institute of Emergent Elastomers, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Liang Zhou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ting Ruan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Ying He"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Guangting Xie"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Jingyu Qi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Xiaobao Cao",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2211-2823"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "C. Jeffrey Brinker"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Ya Liu",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-3936-1685"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        4
      ],
      "name": "Wei Zhu",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-3240-6905"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/974xxpzd2qkkw.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1073/pnas.2617730123",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13715754/",
  "id": "974xxpzd2qkkw",
  "issns": [
    "0027-8424",
    "1091-6490"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2617730123",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "403"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "Applied Biological Sciences"
    ],
    [
      "heading",
      "Biological Sciences"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1312|Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223302773",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": "PMC13715754",
  "pmid": "42912787",
  "published": "2026-10-23",
  "publisher": "National Academy of Sciences",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/974xxpzd2qkkw.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-01T12:22:58Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13715754",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2617730123"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biochemistry",
      "origin": "openalex:1312|Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics",
      "subfield": "molecular-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Si-scRNA-seq: Enabling ambient-stable single-cell transcriptomics through spatially confined biosilicification",
  "title_text": "Si-scRNA-seq: Enabling ambient-stable single-cell transcriptomics through spatially confined biosilicification",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-01T12:22:58Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/974xxpzd2qkkw",
  "venue": "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America",
  "versions": []
}