<p>Not all cells will perform the same sequence of transcriptional changes. The paragraph you quote simply states that differentiation isn't a step change with all cells differentiating at the exact same moment. Rather, it's a more gradual change with cells each working on their own time scale.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-06T15:11:53.503Z
That is right, embryogenesis is a good example in this case. Changes occur in the fetus when cells receive a mix of signal internal cellular factors as well as extracellular factors. However, the differentiation does not happen at the same time because the signals first. When some cells start to differentiate, they induce differentiation to the neighboring cells. Thus, a gradual change of differentiation.
user324810
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-07T00:38:02.540Z
Thanks @Devon Ryan for your time and expertise. Can you kindly explain what is meant by "sequence of transcriptional changes"?
Deepak Tatyaji Ahire
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-07T05:36:38.150Z
A given order (sequence) of changes in gene expression.
Devon Ryan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-06T09:05:24.780Z
2021-09-06T09:05:24.780Z
Devon Ryan
<p>I read the following line in the research paper - <a href="http://cole-trapnell-lab.github.io/pdfs/papers/trapnell-cacchiarelli-monocle.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The dynamics and regulators of cell fate decisions are revealed by pseudotemporal ordering of single cells</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>During differentiation, for example, each cell makes independent fate decisions by integrating a wide array of signals from other cells and executing a complex choreography of gene-regulatory changes. Thus individual cells can execute
the same sequence of transcriptional changes over highly varying
time scales.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Can anyone explain in simple terms what is meant by <strong>&quot;same sequence of transcriptional changes&quot;</strong>?</p>
<p>How can it be the same sequence if during differentiation, different types of cells are formed?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-09-06T07:46:09.790Z
You are not mentioning, neither the paragraph, any specific time during development. The paragraph can be simply referring to stages in development when you already have groups of cells committing to the same transcriptional program (e.g. same part of an organ), as opposed to early stages where one single cell has to start a group of similar cells,
JRodrigoF
<gene><single-cell><phylogenetics><rna><transcriptome-regulation>
What is meant by transcriptional changes executed by the cell over a time period?
# What is meant by transcriptional changes executed by the cell over a time period?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-09-06)

I read the following line in the research paper - [The dynamics and regulators of cell fate decisions are revealed by pseudotemporal ordering of single cells](http://cole-trapnell-lab.github.io/pdfs/papers/trapnell-cacchiarelli-monocle.pdf):

> During differentiation, for example, each cell makes independent fate decisions by integrating a wide array of signals from other cells and executing a complex choreography of gene-regulatory changes. Thus individual cells can execute
> the same sequence of transcriptional changes over highly varying
> time scales.

Can anyone explain in simple terms what is meant by **"same sequence of transcriptional changes"**?

How can it be the same sequence if during differentiation, different types of cells are formed?

**Tags:** gene, single-cell, phylogenetics, rna, transcriptome-regulation
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You are not mentioning, neither the paragraph, any specific time during development. The paragraph can be simply referring to stages in development when you already have groups of cells committing to the same transcriptional program (e.g. same part of an organ), as opposed to early stages where one single cell has to start a group of similar cells,  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-09-06. Score: 1

Not all cells will perform the same sequence of transcriptional changes. The paragraph you quote simply states that differentiation isn't a step change with all cells differentiating at the exact same moment. Rather, it's a more gradual change with cells each working on their own time scale.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: That is right, embryogenesis is a good example in this case. Changes occur in the fetus when cells receive a mix of signal internal cellular factors as well as extracellular factors. However, the differentiation does not happen at the same time because the signals first. When some cells start to differentiate, they induce differentiation to the neighboring cells. Thus, a gradual change of differentiation.  
> **username_0**: Thanks @Devon Ryan for your time and expertise. Can you kindly explain what is meant by "sequence of transcriptional changes"?  
> **username_2**: A given order (sequence) of changes in gene expression.  

---

