HyDrop v2: Scalable atlas construction for training sequence-to-function models

Output Details

Deciphering cis-regulatory logic underlying cell type identity is a fundamental question in biology. Single-cell chromatin accessibility (scATAC-seq) data has enabled training of sequence-to-function deep learning models allowing decoding of enhancer logic and design of synthetic enhancers. Training such models requires large amounts of high-quality training data across species, organs, development, aging, and disease. To facilitate the cost-effective generation of large scATAC-seq atlases for model training, we developed a new version of the open-source microfluidic system HyDrop with increased sensitivity and scale: HyDrop v2. We generated HyDrop v2 atlases for the mouse cortex and *Drosophila* embryo development and compared them to atlases generated on commercial platforms. HyDrop v2 data integrates seamlessly with commercially available chromatin accessibility methods (10x Genomics). Differentially accessible regions and motif enrichment across cell types are equivalent between HyDrop-v2 and 10x atlases. Sequence-to-function models trained on either atlas are comparable as well in terms of enhancer predictions, sequence explainability, and transcription factor footprinting. By offering accessible data generation, enhancer models trained on HyDrop-v2 and mixed atlases can contribute to unraveling cell-type specific regulatory elements in health and disease.

Meet the Authors

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    Hannah Dickmanken

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    Marta Wojno

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    Koen Theunis, MSc

    Key Personnel: Team Voet

    KU Leuven

  • User avatar fallback logo

    Eren Can Eksi

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    Lukas Mahieu

  • User avatar fallback logo

    Valerie Christiaens

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    Niklas Kempynck

  • Florian De Rop, MSc

    Key Personnel: Team Voet

    KU Leuven

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    Natalie Roels

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    Katina I Spanier

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    Roel Vandepoel

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    Gert Hulselmans, MSc

    Key Personnel: Team Voet

    KU Leuven

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    Suresh Poovathingal, PhD

    Key Personnel: Team Voet

    Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie

  • Stein Aerts, PhD

    Co-PI (Core Leadership): Team Voet

    KU Leuven