"Rarity Has an Inherent Value" - Single Cell Omics and Rare Cell Detection
In biology, rare cell populations often play a pivotal role in both normal function and disease. "Rare" refers to an infrequent population of cells, metabolites, and biomolecules that, despite their low abundance, drive critical biological phenomena. These rare cells, including cancer stem cells, circulating tumor cells, antigen-specific T-cells, and stem cells, can profoundly influence cellular function, repair mechanisms, and disease progression. Studying these populations is crucial for understanding how diseases initiate and evolve.