Spatial transcriptomics provides a comprehensive roadmap of transcriptional activity within intact tissue sections. Depending on the approach, this method can detect transcriptional activity using hybridization techniques or RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology powered by next-generation sequencing (NGS) with high sensitivity. Regardless of the method, spatial transcriptomics allows you to accurately resolve mRNA expression at the cellular level in structurally preserved tissues.
Learn about high-resolution, high-throughput spatial transcriptomics of kidney tissues using the NanoString GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler and Illumina sequencing systems.
A key benefit of spatial transcriptomics is that it provides a topographical arrangement of gene expression patterns mapped onto tissue sections to link structure and activity. This capability allows researchers to articulate biological interactions at the cellular level to gain novel insights into complex tissues, such as tumor microenvironments.
With this method, you’ll be able to chart cellular activity in normal vs. diseased tissues, discover previously unknown interactions, create quantitative atlases of cell activity, and beyond. Illumina offers sequencing platforms and software analysis tools that integrate with partnered solutions to provide a seamless, end-to-end spatial transcriptomics solution with reliability, scalability, and sensitivity.
To spatially resolve mRNA expression in tissue sections, transcripts from sectioned frozen or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues are either captured on slides using spatially localized probes or are detected directly in specific regions of interest using photoactive in-situ hybridization probes. cDNA libraries are sequenced and analyzed to quantify expression levels. Depending on the method of choice, expression of 1,200–21,000 protein-coding genes can be quantitatively analyzed in a single readout and accurately mapped to provide transcriptional information on tissue sections.
Leverage Visium Spatial Gene Expression from 10x Genomics for transcriptional profiling of entire tissue sections.
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Spatial biology can incorporate other analytical methods such as epigenomic, genomic, and proteomic information at the cellular level while similarly providing contextual information within preserved tissues. These methods collectively fall under the term spatial multiomics and offer a multidimensional approach to comprehensively understand biological systems. For many spatial multiomic applications, Illumina offers NGS-powered technologies that can link structural, functional, and spatial insights to enable your next discoveries.
Read how investigators use spatial transcriptomics to create an atlas of developing immune systems in humans.
Read PaperLearn how researchers use spatial transcriptomics in tumors to identify differences in microenvironments, gene expression, and therapeutic responses.
Read PaperSee how scientists discovered the spatial layout of diverse cells in various tissues using spatial transcriptomics.
Read PaperSection and prepare fresh frozen or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues onto slides.
Image and construct libraries for sequencing steps.
Perform sequencing using Illumina instruments.
Visualize and map gene expression to tissue location.
Compare Illumina sequencing instruments by application, throughput, and other key specifications, and determine which platform is right for your needs.
Get high-quality results from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues using Illumina RNA-Seq solutions.
Combine the spatial analyses of RNA and protein using the Nanostring GeoMx DSP and Illumina sequencing to understand the heterogeneous pathology of human astrocytoma and glioblastoma samples.
Learn how NGS-based solutions and NanoString’s GeoMx assays deliver deep insights into tumors and microenvironments.
Watch how researchers link tissue morphology and biological activity to create a reference atlas for tumor pathology.
See how scientists are using 10x technologies, single-cell RNA-Seq, and Visium with Illumina sequencing to reveal the spatial resolution of the developing human fetal cortex.
Scientific experts highlight the historic journey of cancer research using solutions from NanoString and Illumina from a spatial biology perspective.
Learn about transcriptional changes in different regions of cardiac tissue during early-onset acute myocardial infarction.
See how Dr. Vivek Swarup’s application of spatial transcriptomics has led to advancements in understanding late-stage Alzheimer’s diease.
With over 75 breakthrough innovations, these sequencing systems offer dry instrumentation, easier run setup, and fast secondary analysis with DRAGEN software onboard. Experience our simplest workflows yet, and perform a broad range of emerging and mid-throughput sequencing applications.
Learn MoreRead how researchers used spatial insights to add another dimension to their single-cell transcriptomic data.
Read how the tumor microenvironment can provide essential clues about the behavior of diseased cells.
Read how a three-pronged analytical approach is helping researchers identify promising immune targets for cancer immunotherapies.
Learn how spatial multiomic profiling can provide unprecedented molecular information in cancer biopsy samples.
Read how spatial information is providing next-generation improvements in multiomic data for cancer research.
Want to learn how you can integrate multiple levels of data into your research? Find out how multiomics can provide a more comprehensive understanding of biological systems.
We offer technologies to go beyond traditional cell and molecular biology research techniques so you can harness the power of genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic data efficiently and accurately.
Single-cell RNA sequencing can provide solutions to unravel complex biological systems at high resolution with minimal sample input.
Learn how to analyze FFPE samples using a comprehensive range of Illumina FFPE sequencing and microarray solutions.
Your methods guide for NGS-based applications in cancer research, including spatial transcriptomics, is available now.
Download our eBook guide and learn how to enable higher discovery power through single-cell sequencing.
See how Illumina RNA-Seq solutions can empower transcriptomic and epigenetic methods to advance discoveries in biology.
See how a comprehensive view of gene expression and transcriptional activity (coding and non-coding) can help you get a deeper understanding of biology using NGS-based RNA-Seq.