cell fate decision, mathematical and computational models, multi-omics, clonal tracking, haematopoiesis, embryogenesis, Medicine (General), R5-920, Biology (General), QH301-705.5

Summary: The concept of cell fate relates to the future identity of a cell, and its daughters, which is obtained via cell differentiation and division. Understanding, predicting, and manipulating cell fate has been a long-sought goal of developmental and regenerative biology. Recent insights obtained from single-cell genomic and integrative lineage-tracing approaches have further aided to identify molecular features predictive of cell fate. In this perspective, we discuss these approaches with a focus on theoretical concepts and future directions of the field to dissect molecular mechanisms underlying cell fate.