Fig. 4: Single-cell transcriptomic profiling reveals fibroblast heterogeneity in human wound healing.

A Droplet-based technology used to isolate single cells from a sample by using capture beads and oil isolation techniques in a microfluidic device. The cells are separated, and a gene expression library is generated; this information is then analyzed through various computational tools. (*) Capture beads, with distinct barcodes on each bead, classify individual cells. The barcode on the capture beads is attached to a unique molecular identifier (UMI), which is attached to the capture sequence of the cell. B The re-clustering of fibroblast subpopulations from wound samples from diabetic or non-diabetic patients. The three clusters (sc1, sc2, and sc3) are transcriptionally unique. Sc1 is a fibrotic and non-regenerating, sc2 is collagen producing, and sc3 is pro-fibrotic cluster²⁷. C Feature plots of known wound healing and fibrosis genes, PTK1, COL1A1, and JUN in fibroblast subpopulations. Figures adapted from Januszyk et al. (2021), Micromachines²⁷.