In December 2020, the scientists launched the use of a unique device that was obtained by Almazov Centre as part of the Science national project. This device allows sequencing single cells and determining their expression profile. The technique is peculiar in that its use requires a highly sophisticated laboratory equipment. Extensive instrumentation should be coupled with the highest expertise of the specialists using it and performing bioinformatics analysis. All of this is available at the World-Class Research Centre for Personalized Medicine (WCRC).
The single-cell sequencing experiment was the first in the history of Almazov Centre and made it possible to obtain data on the study of the expression profile in rare genetic neuromuscular abnormalities. The scientists plan to comprehensively study the information during 2021 and publish it.
In the future, the technology is planned to be used mainly as part of the project to study the pathogenesis of autoinflammatory diseases. The expression profile of immune cells in patients with pericarditis and autoinflammatory diseases will be studied. This very expensive and time-consuming study is scheduled for 2021–2023.
The experts expect to publish the results in a highly rated publication, since they will allow determining the expression profile of not only immune inflammatory cells, but the responses of these cells to therapy.