scRNA-seq and snATAC-seq reveal differentiation trajectories of several pancreatic islet induction protocols

With the help of scRNA-seq and snATAC-seq, we unraveled the differentiation trajectories and gene co-expression networks of current islet induction protocols. Inspired by our understanding to in vivo pancreatogenesis, we improved the current protocol by inducing human anterior lip endoderm at stage 2 and promoting ventral pancreas fate. This refined differentiation protocol simplifies the existing multistage processes and generates higher-quality sc-islets with larger beta cell proportion and enhanced function of glucose regulation, which are validated by scRNA-seq and snATAC-seq.