Si-scRNA-seq: Enabling ambient-stable single-cell transcriptomics through spatially confined biosilicification
5 affiliations
- 1Guangdong 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
- 2National 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
- 3Guangzhou National Laboratory, Guangzhou 510005, People’s Republic of China
- 4Center for Micro-Engineered Materials and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131
- 5Institute of Emergent Elastomers, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
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.
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BibTeX
@article{zhou2026siscrnaseq,
title = {{Si-scRNA-seq: Enabling ambient-stable single-cell transcriptomics through spatially confined biosilicification}},
author = {Liang Zhou and Ting Ruan and Ying He and Guangting Xie and Jingyu Qi and Xiaobao Cao and C. Jeffrey Brinker and Ya Liu and Wei Zhu},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2617730123},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2617730123},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Si-scRNA-seq: Enabling ambient-stable single-cell transcriptomics through spatially confined biosilicification
AU - Liang Zhou
AU - Ting Ruan
AU - Ying He
AU - Guangting Xie
AU - Jingyu Qi
AU - Xiaobao Cao
AU - C. Jeffrey Brinker
AU - Ya Liu
AU - Wei Zhu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
DO - 10.1073/pnas.2617730123
UR - https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2617730123
AB - 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.
SN - 0027-8424
SN - 1091-6490
ER -