# Drop-BS: high-throughput single-cell bisulfite sequencing on a microfluidic droplet platform

> **NIH NIH R21** · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · 2020 · $189,245

## Abstract

Project Summary
Cellular processes are regulated by a complex interplay among different layers of epigenetic
information, including DNA methylation, histone modification, nucleosome position, and
expression of noncoding RNA. DNA methylation is the best studied epigenetic modification in
mammals. The genome-wide DNA methylation profile (i.e., DNA methylome) is established
early in development for regulation and perturbed methylome is critically involved in disease
development. There have been a number of genome-wide technologies developed for profiling
DNA methylomes. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) is generally considered the
gold standard for DNA methylation analyses. The approach generates methylomic profile with
single-nucleotide resolution. Conventional WGBS requires a large amount of DNA. Although
single-cell bisulfite sequencing was demonstrated recently, these assays were based heavily on
manipulation in tubes/well plates and manual procedures, making rapid processing of a large
number (>1000) of single cells difficult. In this project, we will develop a high-throughput single-
cell bisulfite sequencing technology, referred to as Drop-BS, based on a microfluidic droplet
platform. We will test and validate the technology by examining intratumoral heterogeneity in
single-cell DNA methylomes of breast tumors from patients and patient-derived xenograft (PDX)
mouse model.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9966015
- **Project number:** 5R21HG010195-03
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Chang Lu
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $189,245
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-21 → 2021-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9966015

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9966015, Drop-BS: high-throughput single-cell bisulfite sequencing on a microfluidic droplet platform (5R21HG010195-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9966015. Licensed CC0.

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