Taro Kitazawa
@kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
150 followers 160 following 27 posts
Group Leader at DANDRITE Nordic-EMBL/Aarhus Univ. ERC Research, FensKavli Scholar. Molecular basis of neuroplasticity. New genomics technologies. https://www.kitazawa-lab.com/home
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kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
Please RP.
We are thrilled to announce that our lab’s first preprint is out!
”Whole-genome single-cell multimodal history tracing to reveal cell identity transition”

We report HisTrac-seq, a multiomic single-cell molecular recording platform.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Taro Kitazawa
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
Please RP.
We are thrilled to announce that our lab’s first preprint is out!
”Whole-genome single-cell multimodal history tracing to reveal cell identity transition”

We report HisTrac-seq, a multiomic single-cell molecular recording platform.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Reposted by Taro Kitazawa
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
Thanks, Marek!
Indeed, your nanobody-Tn5 protocol is AMAZING!
We actually put some modifications, like sample-bcd implementation, as well as replacement of enzyme for 10x reaction, which may be interesting for you.
I look forward to discussing with you again!
Reposted by Taro Kitazawa
prepub-singlecell.bsky.social
Whole-genome single-cell multimodal history tracing to reveal cell identity transition #SingleCell 🧪🧬🖥️
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.12.669973v1
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
Thank you so much, Oliver!
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
This work was carried out by our super talented postdocs Yumiko K Kawamura and Valentina Khalil with generous supports of ‪@dandrite.bsky.social‬, ‪@erc.europa.eu‬, ‪@lundbeckfonden.bsky.social‬, ‪@novo-nordisk.bsky.social‬, JST, and Aarhus University.‬‬‬‬
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
In summary, we established whole-genome, multimodal single-cell history tracing, applicable to a wide range of experimental systems.
Our lab is now applying HisTrac to study id specification and plasticity (e.g., memory) and we look forward to sharing exciting results soon!
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
We next explored the mechanisms underlying this hidden layer of developmental plasticity and found that identity jumps are associated with precocious activation of maturation programs, altered cell–cell interactions and downstream signaling, and resolution of enhancer bivalency.
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
Such abrupt identity jumps were previously unobservable with current single-cell technologies, as trajectory inference relies on continuity between single-cell snapshots.
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
Time for biology:
Using scHisTrac-seq to profile transcriptome, chromatin accessibility, and bivalency during neurodifferentiation, we analyzed over 90,000 single cells and uncovered drastic cell identity transitions—namely “identity jumps.
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
So far, so good—perhaps too good.
For the final form, we developed scHisTrac-seq, enabling simultaneous profiling of past and present multiomic states from the same single cells via a nanobody-mediated dual scCUT&Tag protocol (past = m6A, present = H3K27ac, transcription marker).
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
We also achieved sample multiplexing within the 10x Genomics microfluidics, dramatically reducing single-cell library preparation costs to just $0.04 per cell.
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
To fully leverage history tracing, we developed a single-cell m6A detection method on the 10x Genomics platform. By targeting Tn5 transposase via the m6A-tracer, we captured in vivo sc profiles with 5–10K unique reads—among the highest quality achieved for 10x-based assays.
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
We next validated HisTrac-seq in vivo, pulse-labeling the neonatal brain and harvesting in adulthood (8 weeks).
This captured neonatal epigenome and transcriptome in the adult brain, demonstrating that HisTrac-seq remains effective for at least two months in vivo!
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
We first demonstrated bulk HisTrac-seq in vitro, showing that transient Dam–POI activation in immature neurons beautifully reproduced their profiles after maturation!
In addition, we extended the validation to the mesodermal cardiomyocyte lineage.
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
By transiently activating Dam fused to POIs (proteins of interest), HisTrac-seq can record whole-genome multiomic profiles, including transcriptome, open chromatin, LAD-heterochromatin, Trithorax, Polycomb, and even bivalency.
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
We used Dam (DNA adenine methyltransferase) to label DNA with m6A, a mark absent from our genome.
Because previously shown that m6A can persist for several hours until the next DNA replication, we expected it to serve as a long-term ”bookmark” in neurons, potentially for months.
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
While single-cell sequencing such as scRNA-seq are powerful, they inherently capture only static snapshots, and trajectory inference can only approximate dynamic processes. This has created a long-standing need for sc observations across multiple time points—history tracing.
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
This approach revealed previously unseen, drastic cell identity transitions, namely “identity jumps” in the Waddington landscape, during neurodifferentiation.

Following threads will elaborate on HisTrac-seq and and our findings.
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
Please RP.
We are thrilled to announce that our lab’s first preprint is out!
”Whole-genome single-cell multimodal history tracing to reveal cell identity transition”

We report HisTrac-seq, a multiomic single-cell molecular recording platform.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
fens.org
🚨 #FENS2026 NEW DATES 🚨

First, Formula 1 sent us from Madrid to #Barcelona. Now the Tour de France Grand Départ has us switching gears again—we're updating our dates to 6-10 July 2026! 🗓️

Find out more 👉: https://loom.ly/zMkMKcA

🔔 Stay tuned!
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
Only a few days left before the extdnded deadline (23 June).

Do not forget to submit your abstracts!
kitazawa-taro.bsky.social
Thrilled to announce @dandrite.bsky.social Symposium: Gene Expression in Brain (20-21 August 2025)!

World-class plenaries Mike Greenberg, Elly Nedivi, Anne Schaefer, Alex Schier + more speakers.

Why don't you travel to Denmark this summer? Travel grants prepared.
dandrite.au.dk/news/events/...