TY - JOUR
T1 - From whole bodies to single cells: A guide to transcriptomic approaches for ecology and evolutionary biology
AU - Hoedjes, Katja M.
AU - Grath, Sonja
AU - Posnien, Nico
AU - Ritchie, Michael G.
AU - Schlötterer, Christian
AU - Abbott, Jessica K.
AU - Almudi, Isabel
AU - Coronado‐Zamora, Marta
AU - Durmaz Mitchell, Esra
AU - Flatt, Thomas
AU - Fricke, Claudia
AU - Glaser‐Schmitt, Amanda
AU - González, Josefa
AU - Holman, Luke
AU - Kankare, Maaria
AU - Lenhart, Benedict
AU - Orengo, Dorcas J.
AU - Snook, Rhonda R.
AU - Yılmaz, Vera M.
AU - Yusuf, Leeban
PY - 2025/8
Y1 - 2025/8
N2 - RNA sequencing (RNAseq) methodology has experienced a burst of technological developments in the last decade, which has opened up opportunities for studying the mechanisms of adaptation to environmental factors at both the organismal and cellular level. Selecting the most suitable experimental approach for specific research questions and model systems can, however, be a challenge and researchers in ecology and evolution are commonly faced with the choice of whether to study gene expression variation in whole bodies, specific tissues, and/or single cells. A wide range of sometimes polarised opinions exists over which approach is best. Here, we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each of these approaches to provide a guide to help researchers make informed decisions and maximise the power of their study. Using illustrative examples of various ecological and evolutionary research questions, we guide the readers through the different RNAseq approaches and help them identify the most suitable design for their own projects.
AB - RNA sequencing (RNAseq) methodology has experienced a burst of technological developments in the last decade, which has opened up opportunities for studying the mechanisms of adaptation to environmental factors at both the organismal and cellular level. Selecting the most suitable experimental approach for specific research questions and model systems can, however, be a challenge and researchers in ecology and evolution are commonly faced with the choice of whether to study gene expression variation in whole bodies, specific tissues, and/or single cells. A wide range of sometimes polarised opinions exists over which approach is best. Here, we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each of these approaches to provide a guide to help researchers make informed decisions and maximise the power of their study. Using illustrative examples of various ecological and evolutionary research questions, we guide the readers through the different RNAseq approaches and help them identify the most suitable design for their own projects.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85195635847
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85195635847&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/mec.17382
DO - 10.1111/mec.17382
M3 - Article
SN - 0962-1083
VL - 34
SP - 1
EP - 11
JO - Molecular ecology
JF - Molecular ecology
IS - 15
M1 - e17382
ER -