In January 2023, a review by Professor Tao Cheng from Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College was published in the international academic journal ——Blood Science . The title of the study is "Spatially resolved transcriptomics: advances and applications". This review summarizes the interplay between technological innovation and biological discovery continues to push the boundaries of what was previously imaginable, translating our approach to complex biological systems and disease pathology.Spatially resolved transcriptomics stands at the forefront of molecular biology and bioinformatics, merging the precision of genetic expression analysis with the complexity of spatial patterning. This confluence has been pivotal in dissecting the intricate tapestry of cellular and tissue architecture in health and disease.
Beyond smFISH (Single Molecule Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) and seqFISH (Sequential Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) , emerging techniques like hybridization chain reaction (HCR) FISH are enhancing multiplexing capabilities and sensitivity, enabling the visualization of a broader array of RNA molecules within their native tissue contexts. Advancements in microfluidics and nanotechnology have led to the development of more sophisticated sequencing-based approaches. Techniques such as microfluidic single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) offer unprecedented throughput and sensitivity, facilitating the analysis of thousands of single cells in situ, providing a comprehensive view of cellular heterogeneity.
Spatially resolved transcriptomics is revolutionizing our understanding of the spatial dimension of gene expression, offering a window into the complexity of biological systems. As we continue to push the frontiers of this technology, its integration with other omics technologies and computational tools will undoubtedly lead to groundbreaking discoveries in biology and medicine, offering new avenues for the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of human diseases.
Reference：1. Duan, H; Cheng, T; Cheng, Hui. Spatially resolved transcriptomics: advances and applications. Blood Science. 5(1):1-14, January 2023.
