Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: ABSTRACT Cellular diversity is required for the proper function of many tissues, including the retina, with its ∼130 cell types. 1-3 Previous lineage studies suggested that retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) generate cell diversity through biased cell divisions. 4-9 However, the extent to which each progenitor cell contributes to diversity, and the overarching rules governing the lineages of the collection of progenitor cells, are unknown. While classic lineage tracing approaches including retroviral labeling 4,6,10 , dye injection 11,12 , and time-lapse microscopy 13,14 were used to make the foundational insights regarding retinal lineages, they cannot be used to interrogate multigenerational lineages at scale. Here we describe the creation of an evolvable lineage tracing tool, “SCRIBBLE” for S equential C ombinatorial R ecorder for Iterative B arcode- B ased L ineage E volution. SCRIBBLE uses prime editor to iteratively edit a barcode sequence while preserving the order of genesis of clonally related progeny. Through a series of rationally designed high-throughput screens and design optimizations, we identified novel sequences that support a high level of barcode editing and information content. Evaluation of SCRIBBLE in embryonic mouse retina recapitulated known lineages in retinal development, demonstrating that SCRIBBLE is capable of high-resolution lineage tracing in a complex tissue.
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G5061773647, Integrating Chemistry and Evolution to Illuminate Biology and Enable Novel Therapeutics, Center for Genomic Editing and Recording: Development and Application of Next-Generation Genome and Epigenome Editing Methods to Advance the Study and Treatment of Human Disease, Training Grant in Genetics
OpenAlex ID: W7215700064