Characterization of cells, cell types, and development, is a challenging problem. Traditionally, pathologists apply methods that rely on the a priori knowledge about morphological characteristics of cells. These methods can be controversial and may take a long time. Single-cell sequencing provides the ultimate precision in the un-biased de novo cellular characterization of tissues. For more information on applications of Illumina technology in the field of single-cell sequencing, visit http://www.illumina.com/techniques/sequencing/rna-sequencing/ultra-low-input-single-cell-rna-seq.html Products: Nextera® XT DNA Library Preparation Kit: http://www.illumina.com/products/nextera_xt_dna_library_prep_kit.html HiSeq: http://systems.illumina.com/systems/hiseq_2500_1500.ilmn Publication Links: PMID: 24531970 | Jaitin D.A., et al. (2014): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24531970 PMID: 24739965 | Treutlein, et al. (2014): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24739965 PMID: 25420068 | Usoskin, et al. (2015): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25420068 Publication Research Reviews: Single-cell research: http://www.illumina.com/content/dam/illumina-marketing/documents/products/research_reviews/single-cell-sequencing-research-review.pdf The Science Mondays (SciMon) series is brought to you by Illumina http://www.illumina.com/ Illumina hosts Irene Predazzi, PhD, Sr. Scientific Liaison of Scientific Affairs, and Jacques Retief, Associate Director of Scientific Affairs, deliver 3 minutes of scientific enlightenment on the latest discoveries.