Identifying fate-determining transcription factors with single-cell omics.

Single-cell omics reveals key transcription factors that determine cell fate with diverse computational approaches.

• Why it matters: Understanding how transcription factors govern cell identity and transitions is crucial for advancing regenerative medicine and developmental biology, yet existing methods vary widely in data requirements and questions addressed.
• What they did: The authors review and categorize computational methods for identifying fate-determining transcription factors based on their focus on cell state identity or transitions, modeling as discrete or continuous, and acting individually or combinatorially, covering key features and applications.
• The result: This comprehensive overview guides researchers in selecting appropriate tools and highlights emerging trends toward programmable control of cell fate, enabling more precise manipulation of cellular identities.