At Mission Bio, we’ve long enabled researchers to interrogate the genetic underpinnings of disease at single-cell resolution through targeted DNA analysis. DNA gives us the foundational “blueprint” of each cell — the static architecture of mutations, copy number changes, and clonal structure that define cell identity and lineage.
But biology doesn’t stop at the blueprint.
To understand how that genetic architecture translates into functional behavior, we need to capture not just what’s encoded, but what’s expressed. That’s why we’re expanding our Tapestri® platform to include RNA as a complementary analyte — offering a more complete view of cellular heterogeneity by layering transcriptional dynamics onto DNA-level insight.
DNA as the Sketch: Fixed, Foundational, and Instructive
DNA defines the potential of a cell. Like the pencil sketch of a painting, it outlines the structure — showing us where mutations reside, which clones are present, and how they relate to one another. In cancer, for example, DNA analysis enables us to track clonal evolution, identify resistant subpopulations, and understand the genomic basis of disease progression.
But while DNA is essential for identifying what could happen, it doesn’t tell us what is happening in real time.
RNA as the Color: Dynamic, Contextual, and Expressive
RNA captures the active transcriptional state of the cell — a snapshot of which genes are being expressed, at what levels, and under what conditions. It adds a new layer of resolution, helping us understand the functional consequences of mutations, infer cell states, and map phenotypic diversity within and across clones.
By profiling both DNA and RNA in the same cell, we can ask more nuanced questions:
- Do transcriptional states align with clonal genotypes?
- Are certain mutations driving specific expression patterns?
- How do clonal populations respond transcriptionally to treatment?
The Power of Layered Insight
Adding RNA to Mission Bio’s single-cell DNA assays enables researchers to bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype. Whether you’re dissecting the transcriptional consequences of driver mutations, uncovering cell-state heterogeneity in tumors, or characterizing clonal behavior in engineered cell therapies, this dual-analyte approach provides a clearer, more actionable view of cellular function.
We believe that understanding disease at its most granular level requires more than one layer of information. With DNA, we gave you the sketch. With RNA, we’re now adding the color — and helping you see the full picture.
Ready to move beyond the blueprint and see the full picture? Combine single-cell DNA and RNA analysis to add functional color to your genomic insights. Let’s talk.
