Innovations in the world of sequencing

  • Published: 21 August 2025
Single-cell sequencing uncovers the hidden diversity between individual cells, transforming research from cancer to neuroscience — but it demands reagents that protect every precious molecule. Here is where our innovations come into play.

What is single-cell sequencing? 

Single-cell sequencing is a set of techniques that allow scientists to analyze the genetic material — DNA or RNA — from individual cells rather than from a mixture of many cells. This matters because even cells from the same tissue can differ in gene expression, mutations, or regulatory states. Traditional bulk sequencing averages out these differences, but single-cell approaches let us see the cellular diversity directly. 

This method can measure DNA (single-cell genome sequencing), RNA (single-cell transcriptomics), and epigenetic marks (single-cell ATAC-seq, methylation-seq). 

While single-cell sequencing naturally reads nucleic acids, researchers have developed clever adaptations to measure proteins alongside RNA or DNA by converting protein signals into DNA-readable formats. The most common approach, used in CITE-seq and REAP-seq, relies on antibodies tagged with unique DNA barcodes that bind specific proteins; during sequencing, these barcodes are captured and quantified like mRNA, revealing protein abundance. Other methods include DNA aptamers that bind proteins directly, proximity ligation or extension assays where antibody pairs generate sequenceable DNA tags when bound near the same protein, and index sorting by flow cytometry followed by sequencing. These multi-omic approaches are very valueable in different fields. For example, in neuroscience these can allow distinguishing cell subtypes and tracking immune or glial responses in disease. 

What innovative products can I use for this method? 

In single-cell RNA sequencing, RNase inhibitors are essential for protecting fragile mRNA from degradation by ubiquitous RNases, which are released the moment a cell is broken open. They are typically included in the lysis buffer to safeguard transcripts immediately after disruption and are maintained through the RNA capture and reverse transcription steps, ensuring RNA remains intact until it is converted into stable cDNA. In some protocols — such as single-nucleus RNA-seq or CITE-seq — RNase inhibitors are also added during nuclei isolation or cell permeabilization, when membranes are compromised and RNases can diffuse freely.  

One innovative product designed for this challenge is our RiboGrip® RNase Inhibitor (220 U/µl) — an in silico–designed, protein-based inhibitor that inactivates RNase A, RNase B, and RNase C. 

RiboGrip® also includes a genetic modification - Stability TAG - our proprietary and patented polypeptide stabilization technology. This makes RiboGrip® extremely tolerant to higher temperatures and enables room temperature shipping as well as effective use in assays requiring high incubation temperatures. In-house testing shows RiboGrip® retains full activity after 1 hour incubation at 60 °C. 

Why is RiboGrip® a good choice for single-cell sequencing? 

  • High concentration volume of 220 U/µL – ideal for small reaction volumes. 
  • Exceptional stability at higher temperatures: stable 1 hour at 60 °C or up to 1 month at 25 °C – convenient reaction set-up​. 
  • Strong RNase inhibition of eukaryotic RNases (A, B, C) for maximum RNA protection. 
  • Effective at low DTT concentrations, preserving RNA quality. 
  • Supports RT-(q)PCR and RNA-based NGS workflows. 
Don’t just take our word for it - Illumina notes: “RiboGrip® is the best choice for challenging sample types, such as those with lower RNA content and/or higher endogenous RNase (e.g. plants).” You can find out more from their single-cell sequencing training materials. 

Ready to make your single-cell sequencing workflow more reliable? 

Here is how you can get it for yourself. RiboGrip® comes in 2 different formats:  
Choose what works best for you and if you have any questions we are happy to help out!