SeesawPred: A Web Application for Predicting Cell-fate Determinants in Cell Differentiation

Sci Rep. 2018 Sep 6;8(1):13355. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-31688-9.

Abstract

Cellular differentiation is a complex process where a less specialized cell evolves into a more specialized cell. Despite the increasing research effort, identification of cell-fate determinants (transcription factors (TFs) determining cell fates during differentiation) still remains a challenge, especially when closely related cell types from a common progenitor are considered. Here, we develop SeesawPred, a web application that, based on a gene regulatory network (GRN) model of cell differentiation, can computationally predict cell-fate determinants from transcriptomics data. Unlike previous approaches, it allows the user to upload gene expression data and does not rely on pre-compiled reference data sets, enabling its application to novel differentiation systems. SeesawPred correctly predicted known cell-fate determinants on various cell differentiation examples in both mouse and human, and also performed better compared to state-of-the-art methods. The application is freely available for academic, non-profit use at http://seesaw.lcsb.uni.lu.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Software*