
Spatialomics
A Collaborative Frontier
Spatialomics technology is an exciting new collaborative frontier between the University Imaging Centers and the University of Minnesota Genomics Center that will provide new avenues for researchers to increase their understanding of cells in their morphological context. The relationship between cells and their relative locations within a tissue sample can be critical to understanding disease pathology. Spatialomics allows scientists to measure all the gene activity in a tissue sample and map where the activity is occurring. Already this technology is leading to new discoveries that will prove instrumental in helping scientists gain a better understanding of biological processes and disease.
Getting Started
MIBI
Researchers interested in MIBI technology should submit a consultation request through the UIC Training and Services form.
GeoMx DSP & Visium
Contact the UMN Spatialomics team at spatialomics@umn.edu to schedule a consultation.
Spatial Technologies
Ionpath: Multiplexed Ion Beam Imaging (MIBI)
MIBI
The MIBIscope System is a revolutionary imaging platform, enabling comprehensive phenotypic profiling and spatial analysis of the tissue microenvironment. The MIBIscope allows researchers to visualize over 40 markers simultaneously with higher sensitivity, resolution, and throughput than existing methods.
NanoString: GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP)
GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP)
NanoString’s GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) combines standard immunofluorescence techniques with digital optical barcoding technology to perform highly multiplexed, spatially resolved profiling experiments. In a single reaction, the DSP technology performs whole slide imaging with up to four fluorescent stains to capture tissue morphology and select regions of interest for high plex profiling. The ability to perform tissue morphology guided profiling experiments increases the likelihood of capturing rare events often missed by typical grind and bind assays. The DSP chemistry enables spatially resolved high plex profiling of RNA and protein targets on just two serial sample sections. The ability to perform multianalyte analysis enables deep characterization of the sample.
The DSP combines the best of spatial and molecular profiling technologies by generating a whole tissue image at single cell resolution and digital profiling data for 10’s-1,000’s of RNA or Protein analytes for up to 4 tissue slides per day (including FFPE, see below). This unique combination of high-plex, high-throughput spatial profiling enables researchers to rapidly and quantitatively assess the biological implications of the heterogeneity within tissue samples.
GeoMx DSP Workflow
Any Target
Explore biology with more targets (>20,000) and more analytes (RNA & Protein) to get to your publishable discovery data faster.
Any Region
Experience automated or customized region of interest (ROI) selection based on the true biology of the sample. From tumor and microenvironment down to the single cell resolution, flexible selection allows you to get to answers faster.
Any Sample
Expand your research scope and/or collaborations to access more sample types. From FFPE and Fresh Frozen to the most challenging sample types, your research is not limited by type of sample leading to broader discovery and faster data.
Discover & Publish the Biology Faster
Integrated interactive analysis between tissue and expression resulting in truly spatial biological interpretation
Discover
- Distinguish statistical changes between groups (e.g. t-tests, linear mixed models) to determine if biologically significant or an outlier.
- Visualize large data matrices using clustering analyses to determine significant changes associated with specific tissue morphology or cell type
- Understand which genes and pathways are altered in spatially annotated datasets
Publish
- Integrated nCounter and NGS data QC provide seamless data quality assessment. Normalization by cell density (automated cell counting) or area based normalization.
- Perform pathway analyses to understand disease mechanisms of action and identify novel targets.
- Integrate custom biostatistics scripts for enhanced analysis
- Exportable publication quality images and figures
10X Genomics: Visium Spatial Gene Expression
Visium Spatial Gene Expression
Visium Spatial Gene Expression measures either the whole transcriptome or a defined set of transcripts in intact tissue sections and maps where gene activity is occurring. With whole transcriptome analysis envision the spatial organization of newly discovered cell types, states, and biomarkers. To validate your discoveries or hone in on all relevant genes and pathways, pair Visium with pre-designed oncology, immunology, or neuroscience targeted gene panels, or design your own custom panels. Visium can also be combined with immunofluorescence for simultaneous visualization of protein and gene expression.
