autoFISH: a modular toolbox for sequential single-molecule RNA FISH experiments

Understanding the role of gene expression in cellular function and tissue organization requires spatial and quantitative detection of individual RNA molecules. Yet, the widespread adoption of automated single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) has been limited by the cost of equipment and the complexity of experimental procedures. We present autoFISH, an affordable, user-friendly platform that removes these barriers through open-source hardware components, accessible control software, and integrated analysis tools. The system demonstrates broad applicability by enabling both conventional and signal-amplified smFISH protocols and incorporates an optimized tissue-clearing method that preserves nuclear structures. Testing across multiple cell types and tissue preparations validates the system's reliability and reproducibility, offering a practical solution for scaling spatial transcriptomics research and advancing discoveries in cellular and developmental biology, while significantly reducing costs and the technical expertise required.