Standard single-cell RNA-seq analysis pipeline. Use for QC, normalization, dimensionality reduction (PCA/UMAP/t-SNE), clustering, differential expression, and visualization. Best for exploratory scRNA-seq analysis with established workflows. For deep learning models use scvi-tools; for data format questions use anndata.
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Standard single-cell RNA-seq analysis pipeline. Use for QC, normalization, dimensionality reduction (PCA/UMAP/t-SNE), clustering, differential expression, and visualization. Best for exploratory scRNA-seq analysis with established workflows. For deep learning models use scvi-tools; for data format questions use anndata.
Scanpy is a scalable Python toolkit for analyzing single-cell RNA-seq data, built on AnnData. Apply this skill for complete single-cell workflows including quality control, normalization, dimensionality reduction, clustering, marker gene identification, visualization, and trajectory analysis.
When to Use This Skill
This skill should be used when:
Analyzing single-cell RNA-seq data (.h5ad, 10X, CSV formats)
Performing quality control on scRNA-seq datasets
Creating UMAP, t-SNE, or PCA visualizations
Identifying cell clusters and finding marker genes
Annotating cell types based on gene expression
Conducting trajectory inference or pseudotime analysis
Generating publication-quality single-cell plots
Quick Start
Basic Import and Setup
import scanpy as sc
import pandas as pd
import numpy as np
# Configure settings
sc.settings.verbosity = 3
sc.settings.set_figure_params(dpi=80, facecolor='white')
sc.settings.figdir = './figures/'
Loading Data
# From 10X Genomics
adata = sc.read_10x_mtx('path/to/data/')
adata = sc.read_10x_h5('path/to/data.h5')
# From h5ad (AnnData format)
adata = sc.read_h5ad('path/to/data.h5ad')
# From CSV
adata = sc.read_csv('path/to/data.csv')
Understanding AnnData Structure
The AnnData object is the core data structure in scanpy:
# Save processed data
adata.write('results/processed_data.h5ad')
# Export metadata
adata.obs.to_csv('results/cell_metadata.csv')
adata.var.to_csv('results/gene_metadata.csv')
Consult this when creating publication-ready figures.
assets/analysis_template.py
Complete analysis template providing a full workflow from data loading through cell type annotation. Copy and customize this template for new analyses:
cp assets/analysis_template.py my_analysis.py
# Edit parameters and run
python my_analysis.py
The template includes all standard steps with configurable parameters and helpful comments.