Embracing systems toxicology at single-cell resolution

Abstract

As systems biology expands its multi-omic spectrum to increasing resolutions, distinguishing cells based on single-cell profiles becomes feasible. Unlike traditional bulk assays that average cellular responses and blur the distinct identities of responsive cells, single-cell technologies enable sensitive detection of small cellular changes and precise identification of those cells perturbed by toxicants. Among the suite of omic technologies that continue to expand and become affordable, single-cell RNA sequencing is at the cutting edge and leading the way to transform systems toxicology. Single-cell systems toxicology can provide a wealth of information to elucidate cell-specific alterations and response trajectories, detect points of departure, and map and develop dynamical models of toxicity pathways.