Method for identifying cells based on DNA replication domain timing profiles

摘要

Methods for identifying and/or distinguishing a homogeneous population of cells based on their replication domain timing profile using high resolution genomic arrays or sequencing procedures are provided. These methods may be used to compare the replication timing profile for a population of cells to another replication timing profile(s), a replication timing fingerprint, and/or one or more informative segments of a replication timing fingerprint, which may be simultaneously or previously determined and/or contained in a database, to determine whether there is a match between them. Based on such information, the identity of the population of cells may be determined, or the identity of the population of cells may be distinguished from other populations of cells or cell types. Methods for determining a replication timing fingerprint for particular cell types are also provided.

主权项

1. A method for identifying cells comprising the following steps:
(a) separating a population of sample cells having a particular cell type into subpopulations of sample cells based on cell cycle stages, wherein each subpopulation of sample cells consists essentially of sample cells from a specific cell cycle phase; (b) isolating genomic DNA from each subpopulation of sample cells; (c) separately sequencing genomic DNA isolated from each subpopulation of sample cells, thereby generating a replication timing test profile for the population of sample cells; and (d) identifying the particular cell type of the population of sample cells by comparing the replication timing test profile to a set of replication timing reference profiles for a set of known cell types.