Benchmarking atlas-level data integration

Single-cell atlases often include samples that span locations, laboratories and conditions, leading to complex, nested batch effects in data. we benchmarked 68 method and preprocessing combinations on 85 batches of gene expression, chromatin accessibility and simulation data from 23 publications. We show that highly variable gene selection improves the performance of data integration methods, whereas scaling pushes methods to prioritize batch removal over conservation of biological variation. more

FACT promotes heterochromatin spreading

In this new study we pinpoint FACT function to the heterochromatin spreading process in fission yeast. FACT promotes spreading by repressing heterochromatic histone turnover, which is crucial for the H3K9me2 to me3 transition that enables spreading. Our study identifies FACT as a histone chaperone that promotes heterochromatin spreading and lends support to the model that regulated histone turnover controls the propagation of repressive methylation marks. more