HIGH-THROUGHPUT GENE EXPRESSION
TECHNOLOGY
Access a new generation of spatially-resolved Transcriptomics, through our combination of state-of-the-art sequencing technology and high resolution microscopy. All mRNAs with spatial resolution in a single experiment.
THE CONCEPT
See an introduction to why spatial resolution is essential and how it can help you.
THE PRODUCTS
See an overview over our process and the products that help you produce Spatial Transcriptomics data.
THE GLASS
Spatial Transcriptomics utilizes spotted arrays of specialized mRNA-capturing probes on the surface of glass slides.
Each spot contains capture probes with a spatial barcode unique to that spot. When tissue is attached to the slide, the capture probes bind RNA from the adjacent point in the tissue. A reverse transcription reaction, while the tissue is still in place, generates a cDNA library that incorporates the spatial barcodes and preserves spatial information.
Following library preparation, the captured mRNA is sequenced using standard Illumina Sequencing.
RNA CAPTURE
Each spot contains approximately 200 million capture probes.
The capture probes in an individual spot share a barcode unique to that spot.
The barcode is incorporated into the cDNA of all mRNAs captured by the spot.
This links all subsequent RNA-seq data back to a spot on the array, and a location in the tissue section.
MAP & VISUALIZE
RNA-seq data is “demultiplexed” such that all individual sequencing reads are assigned to their spot of origin.
This data is then aligned with a high-resolution microscope image of the tissue section.
It is now possible to visualize the expression of any mRNA, or combination of mRNAs, and perform complex bioinformatic analysis with a new spatial dimension.
YOU ASKED
What is the advantage of adding spatial resolution to RNA-Seq experiments?
Ever tried navigating through an unknown city without a map? This is what traditional RNA-Seq in tissues can look like today. For the first time Spatial Transcriptomics provides a map by combining histology and full mRNA analysis in an innovative way.
Do I need to invest in new equipment to perform Spatial Transcriptomics?
No, we have found that laboratories have all the major infrastructure required for Spatial Transcriptomics in place. For a comprehensive list of instruments and reagents needed for the protocol see RESOURCES.
What is the current resolution of your Library Preparation glass slides?
Our glass slides contain 1007 spots with a diameter of 100 μm and a center to center distance 200 μm. This gives a comprehensive overview of a tissue’s architecture while maintaining high sample throughput and limited sequencing costs.