Paired-Tag: Simultaneous Single-Cell Epigenomics and Transcriptomics

Paired-Tag is a groundbreaking multiomic technology that captures histone modifications and RNA expression from the same cell without computational integration. By directly linking chromatin state to transcriptional output on a cell-by-cell basis, Paired-Tag unlocks mechanistic insights into cellular identity, developmental trajectories, and disease states that separate assays cannot reveal.

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What Is Paired-Tag?

Paired-Tag is a single-cell multiomic library preparation method that simultaneously captures RNA expression and epigenetic marks—such as histone modifications, transcription factor binding, or chromatin-associated proteins—from the same individual nucleus. By integrating these two critical layers of gene regulation in one assay, Paired-Tag provides unprecedented resolution into how chromatin state drives cellular behavior.

Core Innovation

Unlike traditional multiome workflows that profile RNA and chromatin from different cells or require computational integration, Paired-Tag captures both modalities simultaneously from the identical nucleus. This eliminates batch effects, computational artifacts, and uncertainty—delivering direct, ground-truth relationships between chromatin accessibility/histone state and transcriptional output.

Paired-Tag workflow diagram showing simultaneous capture of histone modifications and RNA from single cells
Paired-Tag captures histone marks and transcripts from the same cell in a single workflow.
Multi-panel image showing RNA/DNA umi for multiple targets and IGV tracks for H3K27ac using Paired-Tag Paired-Tag enables simultaneous cellular profiling of transcription and chromatin remodelers, TFs, and histone modifications.

How Paired-Tag Works

  1. Sample Preparation

    Fresh or frozen tissue, organoids, PBMCs, or cell lines are processed into nuclei. Works efficiently on diverse sample types and tissues without requiring extensive optimization.

  2. Dual Capture

    Nuclei are simultaneously tagged with antibodies against histone modifications and barcoded oligonucleotides that capture RNA. Both capture events occur in the same nucleus without competition or interference.

  3. Single-Cell Barcoding

    Compatible with 10x Chromium Multiome - and soon other single-cell paltforms. Each nucleus is encapsulated with a unique barcode that identifies both the histone mark and RNA molecules from that cell.

  4. Sequencing & Analysis

    Dual FASTQ files (one for chromatin tags, one for RNA) are generated. Analysis produces linked cell-by-peak matrices and cell-by-gene matrices that can be directly correlated, revealing direct chromatin-transcript associations.

Multiplex Options

Figure describing the multiplex option of Paired-Tag and resulting H3K27ac tracks
Multiplex Paired-Tag enables pooling and overloading of 10X Multiome lanes, significantly reducing per-sample cost. Multiplexed tagging is compatible with nuclei even from the same sample.

Data Highlights

RNA-based UMAP of Paired-Tag PBMC data showing major cell types
Paired-Tag RNA modality enables integration of multiple targets and datasets for comprehensive profiling.
Paired-Tag IGV tracks displaying a donor-specific loss of H3K4me1 in MAIT cells.
Paired-Tag profiling of H3K4me1 enables identification of cell-type-specific loss of chromatin activation not detectable from bulk histone profiling.

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Strengths and Capabilities of Paired-Tag

1. Joint Single-Cell Profiling

Paired-Tag captures histone modifications such as H3K27ac, H3K4me1, H3K27me3, and other marks alongside full transcriptomes in the same nucleus. This eliminates the computational burden and uncertainty of integrating separate assays—you have ground-truth chromatin-to-transcript linkage.

  • Direct correlation without post-hoc integration algorithms
  • No batch effects between modalities
  • Reveals which genes are active when specific marks are present

2. Cell-Type Resolution and Rare Cell Detection

Paired-Tag discriminates diverse cell types and states in heterogeneous tissues by clustering on simultaneous epigenomic and transcriptomic signatures. RNA-based cell-type annotation combined with epigenetic characterization enables discovery of rare and transitional populations without FACS or enrichment.

  • RNA clustering identifies cell types; epigenetics characterizes regulatory states
  • No sorting bias; all cell types profiled equally
  • Reveal rare populations invisible in bulk workflows

3. High-Throughput and Deep Coverage

Paired-Tag generates tens of thousands of unique chromatin loci and thousands of RNA UMIs per nucleus. Recent droplet implementations scale to profile hundreds of thousands of cells in a single experiment, enabling comprehensive atlases of complex tissues.

  • 10K–20K cells per sample on standard platforms
  • 15K–25K cells/lane with multiplexing (high-throughput cohorts)
  • Deep per-cell coverage for robust peak/gene calling

4. Versatile Sample Compatibility

Works efficiently on fresh or frozen tissue, organoids, PBMCs, cell lines, and other sample types. This versatility makes Paired-Tag practical for translational studies, clinical cohorts, and archived sample analysis.

  • Fresh and frozen samples
  • FFPE-compatible protocols available
  • Minimal sample optimization required
IGV genome browser showing in-silico sorted Paired-Tag linking K4me1, K4me3, K27ac, and K27me3 peaks to the TSS of BCL11B.
Direct linkage between chromatin state and transcriptional activity in individual cells.
Paired-Tag H3K27ac signal at gene regulatory regions linked directly to transcript expression patterns
Paired-Tag reveals cell-type-specific enhancer and silencer landscapes from complex tissues.

Research Applications

Developmental Biology

Track chromatin remodeling and gene expression changes during cell-state transitions and differentiation pathways. Identify epigenetic drivers of developmental decisions.

  • Cell-fate specification mechanisms
  • Epigenetic priming during lineage commitment
  • Transcription factor activity linked to enhancer activation

Cancer Biology & Immunology

Link enhancer activation to tumor heterogeneity, immune evasion, and treatment resistance. Characterize T cell exhaustion, CAR-T functionality, and immune cell states.

  • Tumor-associated macrophage epigenetics
  • T cell exhaustion and recovery programs
  • Treatment response epigenetic signatures

Disease Mechanism & Biomarker Discovery

Combine transcriptomics and epigenetics for mechanistic insights into disease pathogenesis. Identify epigenetic dysregulation underlying disease states and candidate therapeutic targets.

  • Neurodegeneration and aging
  • Autoimmune dysregulation
  • Metabolic disease and diabetes

Perturbation Studies & Validation

Measure on-target chromatin effects and off-target transcriptional impacts of CRISPR, degraders, or compounds. Validate drug targets with dual-modality readouts.

  • CRISPR screen validation
  • Compound mechanism of action
  • Chromatin remodeler targeting

Environmental Toxicology & Exposure Science

Paired-Tag reveals how environmental exposures—such as air pollution, e-cigarette aerosols, or chemical stressors—alter epigenetic landscapes and disrupt gene regulation. By directly linking chromatin changes to transcriptomic dysregulation, it elucidates molecular pathways sensitive to environmental stressors and potential long-term health impacts.

  • Cell-type-specific epigenetic vulnerabilities
  • Gene regulatory network disruption
  • Recovery and adaptation mechanisms

Research Highlights

Pancreatic Islet Cell Heterogeneity in Diabetes

Figure from Wang et al., showing Paired-Tag UMAP embeddings in pancreatic islets.
Excerpt of Figure 2 from Wang, et al. displaying Paired-Tag data from pancreatic islet cells.

Paired-Tag profiling of pancreatic islets has revealed novel insights into β-cell heterogeneity and stress responses directly relevant to diabetes pathogenesis. The assay uncovered distinct β-cell subtypes derived from biochemically and epigenetically defined progenitors, demonstrating how histone modification patterns and epigenetic dosage shape functional specialization in insulin-secreting cells.

Key Findings:
  • Identified β-cell subtypes with distinct epigenetic and transcriptional signatures
  • Mapped epigenetic dysregulation underlying β-cell stress during autoimmune attack in Type 1 diabetes
  • Revealed regulatory networks far more detailed than bulk approaches
  • Advanced target identification for therapeutic intervention

Prenatal E-Cigarette Exposure and Brain Development

Figure from Chen et al., showing Paired-Tag UMAP embeddings in e-cigarette exposed rat cortex.
Excerpt of Figure 1 from Chen, et al. displaying Paired-Tag data from rat cortex.

A recent study applying Paired-Tag to the prenatal mouse brain exposed to e-cigarette aerosols delineated the epigenetic consequences of environmental exposure on neurodevelopment. The assay revealed altered histone modification landscapes at enhancer and promoter regions within excitatory neurons and glia, associated with disrupted gene expression programs critical for brain development.

Key Findings:
  • Mapped cell-type-specific epigenetic vulnerabilities to prenatal exposures
  • Linked chromatin changes directly to transcriptomic dysregulation
  • Identified molecular pathways mediating environmental toxin impact
  • Revealed mechanistic basis for potential long-term neurodevelopmental impairments

Why These Results Matter

These case studies exemplify the transformative power of Paired-Tag:

  • Direct mechanistic insights: By linking epigenetic marks to gene expression in the same cell, researchers discover regulatory relationships invisible in separate assays.
  • Disease-relevant discoveries: Cell-type and state-specific epigenetic dysregulation—the hallmark of disease—is captured with unprecedented detail.
  • Therapeutic targets: Integrated epigenetic-transcriptomic data accelerates identification of druggable pathways.
  • Precision medicine: Paired-Tag enables personalized profiling of patient samples for therapeutic response prediction.

Transform Your Epigenetic Research

Paired-Tag represents a paradigm shift in single-cell multi-omics. By directly linking chromatin state to transcriptional output from the same cell, Paired-Tag enables mechanistic discoveries that computational integration cannot achieve. Whether you're exploring fundamental biology or translating findings into precision medicine, Paired-Tag delivers the insights you need.

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