Spatial Biology

What Is Spatial Biology?

Spatial biology is the analysis of cells within their native tissue environments.

This can be a single RNA or protein visualized on the tissue or mapping of the subcellular coordinates of every RNA transcript and protein within the individual cells that make up the tissue.

Why Is Spatial Biology Important?

Understanding the programs that are operating in each cell and being able to compare that to neighboring cells has far reaching implications for health and disease. Knowing what defines a healthy cell and tracking changes in its transcriptome and proteome while it progresses to a diseased state is leading to the development of new clinical diagnostics and therapeutics.

The newest technologies are so specific and sensitive that every single mRNA or protein can be located inside its cell within its tissue. For example, the 10X Genomics Xenium can even distinguish between different splice variants of the same mRNA.

What Can You Do?

Systems Biology

Map cell-to-cell relationships in multiple dimensions.

Disease Research

Identify novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. Illuminate mechanisms of action or delivery efficiency.

Multiomics

Combine transcriptomics, proteomics, and spatial biology to generate a reference atlas for future research.

Our Platforms

Xenium Panels with a CSP

10x Genomics Xenium panels are predesigned, validated, and curated to identify and characterize cells from human or mouse samples. Off-the-shelf panels are ready to ship. You can add up to 100 custom targets to any panel with 10x Genomics’ expert guidance.

As a 10x Genomics Certified Service Provider, Psomagen labs have the training and experience to help you explore:

Expand Spatial with CosMx

Developed by NanoString Technologies, the CosMx Spatial Molecular Imager provides multiomic insights at cellular and subcellular resolution. With exploratory capabilities and RNA and protein panels, there's no limit to what you'll discover.

Start your spatial journey at Psomagen with any of these panels:

Choosing an Instrument

Imaging Platforms

	10x Genomics	NanoString Technologies
	Xenium	CosMx RNA	CosMx Protein
Resolution	Subcellular	Subcellular	Subcellular
Capture Area	10.45 x 22.5 mm	FOVs in 15 x 20 mm	FOVs in 15 x 20 mm
Slides per Run	2	2 or 4	4
Organism	Human (off the shelf) Mouse (off the shelf) Custom (any)	Human (off the shelf) Mouse (off the shelf) Custom (any)	Human (off the shelf) Mouse (off the shelf) Custom (any)
Tissue Type	FFPE FF	FFPE FF	FFPE FF
Slide	10x Genomics	Leica Bond Plus	Leica Bond Plus
Target	Gene Expression RNA	Gene Expression RNA	Protein Expression Protein
Off the Shelf Panels	5,000-plex RNA	100–6,000-plex RNA	64-plex protein
Custom Add-ons	Up to 100 RNA	7–200 RNA	Up to 8
Stand Alone Custom Panels	480–plex RNA	300-plex RNA	N/A

Transcriptomic Platforms

	10x Genomics		STOmics	Curio Trekker
	Visium HD	Visium CytAssist	Stereo-Seq	Slide-Seqv2
Resolution	2-8µm	55µm	0.5-2µm	10µm
Capture Area	6.5 x 6.5 mm	6.5 x 6.5 mm 11 x 11 mm	10 x 10 mm 20 x 20 mm 30 x 50 mm 60 x 60 mm 130 x 130 mm	3 x 3 mm 10 x 10 mm
Sections per Run	2	2	1	1
Organism	Human Mouse	Human Mouse	All	All
Tissue Type	FFPE	FFPE FF	FFPE FF	FF
Slide	Positively charged	Positively charged	STOmics provided	Curio provided
Capture Method	Probe-based	Probe-based	Oligo dT	Oligo dT
Sequencing Options	Illumina Element Ultima	Illumina Element Ultima	CGI	Illumina
Recommended Read Depth	275M	125M 350M	1.5B 3.0B	400M 2.0B
QC Requirements	RIN >7 DV200>30%	RIN>7 DV200>30%	Tapestation & PicoGreen	RIN>7

Spatial Biology Best Practices

Sample Types

A wide variety of sample types are suitable for spatial analysis. Whether starting from fresh frozen tissue in a tube or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections dried onto Xenium slides, high quality spatial data is achievable.

Data Delivery

Standard report includes H&E QC images, decoded data containing cell clusters, transcripts per cell, and differential gene expression.

We're Ready for Your Order!

Here's what to expect in your project's life cycle. If you have a question during sequencing, it's easy to get in touch!

01

Request a Consultation

Create an account through our client portal and get in touch with your local field team to start designing a project.

We’ll help drive your research forward with the right tools for your research needs.

02

Place an Order

After finalizing the scope of work, the official quote will be issued for signing. Then, your sales representative will send specific shipping instructions.

Once all the samples and necessary documents are ready, we can start your project. Need more analysis? Reach out to our bioinformatics experts to dig deeper.

03

QC and Data Delivery

All Psomagen sequencing projects come with a built-in QC step to ensure you get the information you need. An account manager will update you on your project's progress in a timely manner.

You can also see some project information and securely view all valid reports on the client portal site.

New to Spatial Biology?

Experimental design in a new area like spatial biology can be challenging. Take advantage of expert resources to plan for success.

Consortia including the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP) and the Human Cell Atlas (HCA)
Nature's series on HuBMAP's production of reference maps
Xenium best practices

Why Our Clients Choose Psomagen

Superior Data Quality

Exceeds manufacturer benchmarks

Fast Turnaround

Starting at one week for sequencing projects

US-Based Processing

Sequencing and customer support in Rockville, MD

Ph.D. Level Support

Expert assistance every step of the way, with real-time project updates through our online system

Automated Workflows

Increase scalability and improve reproducibility

CLIA-Certified, CAP-Accredited Labs

Clinical research options available (inquire for more information)

Complete Sequencing Solutions

From extraction to data analysis, with many sample types accepted

Third Generation Sequencing Is Here!

See how the newest technologies are providing deeper insights in omics research.

Long-Read Sequencing

Experience long reads and exceptional accuracy with the PacBio Revio. HiFi sequencing provides all the information you need about a genome — with just one run and no additional treatments.

Single-Cell Sequencing

Advance your gene expression research in suspensions, biological fluids, tissues, or cell populations.

Omics Research // Single-Cell/Spatial Omics