Method for identifying aging cells using single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing data

A protocol is presented for classifying senescent cells using gene expression data from single-cell or single-nucleus RNA sequencing.

• Cellular senescence is marked by stable cell-cycle arrest and various molecular and metabolic changes.
• The protocol allows users to score gene expression activity from a specified set of senescence-related genes.
• Estimated proportions of senescent cells can be optimized for different cell types through enrichment testing.
• Differential expression analysis can identify transcriptional programs associated with cellular senescence.

Simplified