Diamond Age is always on the look out for technologies that will enable new biological discoveries. Last year, we built upon our long experience with single cell RNA-Seq to expand into spatial transcriptomics. We have now helped several clients use spatial sequencing technologies to pursue their scientific and drug discovery goals. We’ve been impressed with what this technology can do, and its potential to answer new biological questions.
Spatial transcriptomics profiles RNA expression in hundreds of areas of tissue without dissociating cells. It provides a 2D map of expression overlaid on a tissue slide, allowing researchers to focus on RNA expression in specific areas of the tissue. With it, you can
- Capture transcriptomic data without the damage caused by tissue dissociation,
- Characterize tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumor-adjacent stroma,
- Observe zonal or localized expression of genes of interest,
- Determine if cell subtypes discovered in single-cell RNAseq are found in different tissue regions.
We expect spatial transcriptomics to contribute to great advances in biotechnology and drug discovery in 2023 as it has applications in gene therapy assessment and targeting, mechanisms of action elucidation, drug delivery, and more.
We would love to hear about your research! Get in touch with us to learn about how Diamond Age can support your work.