A Collaborative Frontier

University of Minnesota Spatialomic services are partnership between the University Imaging Centers (UIC), University of Minnesota Genomics Centers (UMGC), and the Clinical and Translational Science Institutes Biorepository and Laboratory Services (BLS). Together, we work in concert to 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, CosMx SMI, and Visium Technologies

Contact the UMN Spatialomics team at spatialomics@umn.edu to schedule a consultation.

Spatial Technologies

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Spatial Technologies

MIBIscope

MIBI

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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.

MIBI

 

MIBI Technology is based on secondary ion mass spectrometry or SIMS. With SIMS, a primary ion beam is rastered across the surface of a sample, liberating reporter ions that are then simultaneously recorded on a pixel-by-pixel basis by Time-of-Flight detection. An ion beam, unlike a laser, enables resolution to be tuned over a broad range—in the case of the MIBIScope, from a few hundred nanometers to 1 micron. Once liberated, the reporter ions, or “secondary ions,” travel uninterrupted at supersonic speed from the sample to the detector, leading to fast acquisition and extraordinary sensitivity.

CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager (SMI)

CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager (SMI)

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CosMx SMI (Spatial Molecular Imager) is a high-plex in situ analysis platform providing spatial multiomics with formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and fresh frozen (FF) tissue samples at cellular and subcellular resolution. CosMx SMI enables rapid quantification and visualization of up to 1,000 RNA and 64 validated protein analytes. It is the flexible, spatial single-cell imaging platform that will drive deeper insights for cell atlasing, tissue phenotyping, cell-cell interactions, cellular processes, and biomarker discovery.

Diagram showing how CosMx SMI for single-cell imaging delivers a comprehensive package from sample preparation to interactive data analysis.

GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP)

GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP)

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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. 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.

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Visium CytAssist

Visium CytAssist

Facilitate transfer of transcriptomic probes in FFPE or fresh frozen samples with Visium CytAssist. In the Visium CytAssist workflow, sectioning, tissue preparation, staining (H&E or IF), and imaging take place on a standard glass slide. After probe hybridization, two standard glass slides and a Visium slide with two Capture Areas are placed in the CytAssist instrument so that the tissue sections on the standard slides can be aligned on top of the Capture Areas. Within the instrument, a brightfield image is captured to provide spatial orientation for data analysis, followed by hybridization of transcriptomic probes to the Visium slide. The remaining steps, starting with probe extension, follow the standard Visium workflow outside of the instrument.

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.

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