Spatial Transcriptomics: Emerging Technologies in Tissue Gene Expression Profiling.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Spatial transcriptomics offers high-resolution gene expression mapping in intact cells and tissues.
• It provides spatial context to bulk sequencing data, enhancing biological insights.
• The field has seen significant expansion and impact across various research areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status and recent advances in spatial transcriptomics technologies.
• To analyze the molecular foundations, strengths, limitations, and applications of key techniques.
• To discuss future directions and promote wider adoption of spatial transcriptomics.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of technologies including microdissection, in situ sequencing, single-molecule FISH, and spatial capturing.
• Analysis of methods for region of interest selection and single-cell/nuclei dissociation.
• Contextualization of detection efficiency, tissue compatibility, and data analysis.

Main Results:

• Spatial transcriptomics enables transcriptomic-wide analysis and single-cell resolution.
• Diverse technological approaches are available, each with unique strengths and limitations.
• The technology is applicable to tissue architecture, developmental biology, cancer, and neurodegenerative/infectious diseases.

Conclusions:

• Continued development is crucial for the widespread adoption of spatial transcriptomics.
• The technology holds significant potential for future research and applications.
• Spatial transcriptomics is a transformative tool for understanding biological systems in their native context.