What Is Spatial Transcriptomics?

Spatial transcriptomics reveals where genes are active within intact tissue-preserving the biological context that traditional RNA sequencing loses. By mapping gene expression directly to its physical location, this technology uncovers how cells are organised, how they interact, and how they function within their native environment.

Two Powerful Approaches

Spatial gene expression can be measured using:

• Sequencing-based methods - Capture whole-transcriptome at the single cell level , such as the 10x Chromium platform, or data by mapping mRNA within tissue sections and sequencing it ex vivo, such as the 10x Visium platform.
• Imaging-based methods - Visualise hundreds to thousands of RNA molecules directly in situ using advanced microscopy technology with the 10x Xenium platform.

Both approaches provide high-resolution insight into cellular behaviour while maintaining tissue architecture. By capturing gene activity at single-cell resolution within intact samples, spatial transcriptomics unlocks new understanding across biology- from mapping disease mechanisms to exploring healthy tissue function.