Fig. 1

Multiomics analysis combines high-throughput sequencing techniques to elucidate novel features of lens differentiation. Workflow of the multiomics-based approach. Biological triplicate pools of 25 lenses from E13 embryonic chick were microdissected into undifferentiated lens epithelial cells and differentiated lens fiber cells. RNA isolated from samples was used for RNAseq to elucidate differentially expressed genes. Genomic DNA (gDNA) isolated from samples was used for whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) to elucidate differentially methylated genomic regions. ATACseq data from a previously published study on microdissected lenses from E13 embryonic chick [217] were used to identify changes in chromatin accessibility. Integrating these data reveal the range and spectrum of lens gene expression patterns characterized by specific methylation patterns and chromatin accessibility during lens cell differentiation. Transcription factor binding site (TFBS) and transcription factor (TF) motif analysis and gene ontology (GO) analysis was also performed