No abstract

umors encompass complex cellular ecosystems of malignant and non-malignant cells, whose diversity and interactions affect cancer progression and drug response and resistance. Recent advances in single-cell genomics, especially single-cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq), have transformed our ability to analyze tumors, revealing cell types, states, genetic diversity and interactions in the complex tumor ecosystem 1-6. Single-cell analysis of tumors is rapidly expanding, including the launch of a Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAPP) as part of the Cancer Moonshot 7. Successful scRNA-Seq of clinical tumor specimens poses several challenges. First, it requires quick dissociation tailored to the tumor type, and involves enzymatic digestion, which can lead to loss of sensitive cells or changes in gene expression. Moreover, obtaining fresh tissue is time-sensitive and requires tight coordination