Advancing Spatial Biology Through Integrated Biomarker Strategies: Connecting Tissue Architecture with Circulating Signals

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Recent advances in spatial biology are redefining the understanding of tissue organization and cellular interactions in health and disease. High-plex spatial phenotyping technologies, developed by Akoya Biosciences and now part of Quanterix, enable comprehensive characterization of tissue architecture, cellular heterogeneity, and microenvironmental dynamics at single-cell resolution.

In this presentation, emphasis will be placed on the power of spatial biology to reveal biologically and clinically relevant patterns that are not accessible through bulk or dissociated analyses. These approaches allow precise mapping of protein expression within intact tissue, providing critical insights into cell–cell interactions, immune contexture, and disease-specific spatial signatures.

To complement these insights, ultra-sensitive protein detection using Simoa enables quantification of low-abundance biomarkers in plasma and serum, supporting minimally invasive approaches such as liquid biopsy. The integration of spatial tissue profiling with circulating biomarker analysis offers a unique opportunity to link systemic signals to their tissue origins and biological context.

This combined strategy enhances biomarker discovery and validation by bridging spatial and systemic biology, ultimately improving translational relevance and supporting the development of more precise and informative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches across fields including immuno-oncology, neurodegeneration, and inflammatory diseases.

Speakers

Alessio Colombo, PhD – Sr. Field Application Scientist (EMEA), Akoya Biosciences

Alessio is a life sciences specialist with a background in spatial biology and advanced tissue analysis. He holds a PhD in Pharmacology and has extensive experience in neurodegenerative diseases, with several years of work across academia and industry focused on translational research and biomarker development.

Currently at Quanterix, he works on integrating high-plex spatial proteomics technologies from Akoya Biosciences with ultra-sensitive biomarker detection using Simoa.

His work focuses on bridging spatial tissue insights with circulating biomarkers from liquid biopsy, enabling more comprehensive approaches to biomarker discovery and translational research. He collaborates closely with pharmaceutical companies, as well as academic and clinical partners, particularly in the fields of neurodegeneration and immuno-oncology, supporting the development of integrated strategies for precision medicine.

Dr Ahmad Al Khleifat MB BCh. MSc. PhD - Senior Research Fellow, King's College London

Ahmad is a MND Association Lady Edith Wolfson and ALS Association’s Milton Safenowitz Senior Fellow. He trained in medicine in Egypt and earned his MSc and PhD in Clinical Neuroscience from King’s College London. His research group focuses on using big data for precision medicine, optimising clinical trials, and enhancing drug discovery in neurodegenerative diseases.

Ahmad research interests include complex disease genetics and precision medicine, application of big data and AI in clinical trials and drug discovery, development of proteomic-based biomarkers for neurodegeneration, and structural variation analysis in genomics. He is currently chair of the Trans-Ancestral Genetics Working Group in Project MinE and lead of the Drug Discovery and Trials Optimisation Working Group in the DEMON network. He also co-founded the Alan Turing Institute Interest Group in Precision Dementia Medicine and the Alzheimer’s Association group on AI for Precision Dementia Medicine.

Registration

This event is open to all King’s staff and students; however, registration is required to attend. Please register using the link provided on this page to secure your place.

Analytical Bites

This event is part of Analytical Bites @ the Analytical Core Facilities, a platform for King’s analytical community designed to share knowledge and explore cutting-edge analytical topics & technology. We invite expert speakers from academia, core facilities, and industry with sessions that include seminars, interactive discussions, workshops and complimentary lunch.