GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) is an advanced technology enabling scientists to explore tissues at a highly detailed level. This platform offers a powerful way to understand biological processes by precisely examining molecules in their natural tissue environment. It provides insights into how cells and molecules interact, contributing to a deeper understanding of various biological phenomena. The technology provides spatially resolved molecular data to help unravel complex biological questions.
Understanding Spatial Biology
Biological processes within tissues are not uniform; cells and molecules operate in specific locations, forming complex microenvironments. Understanding this spatial context is crucial. Knowing where particular molecules are located and their proximity to other molecules or cell types provides a more complete picture than simply measuring their overall presence. For instance, a tumor’s behavior can be heavily influenced by the specific cells and molecules immediately surrounding it.
Traditional methods often disrupt tissue architecture, losing valuable information about the precise arrangement and interactions of molecules. Analyzing whole tissue homogenates, for example, averages out molecular signals, obscuring localized variations that might be driving disease or normal function. Preserving and analyzing the spatial organization of biological components allows researchers to uncover biological mechanisms and decipher complex biological systems, from disease progression to developmental pathways.
How GeoMx DSP Operates
The GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) employs a precise workflow to gather molecular information from tissue sections. Tissue samples, often formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) or fresh-frozen, are stained with probes. These probes consist of antibodies or in situ hybridization (ISH) probes, each linked to a unique, UV-cleavable oligonucleotide barcode. Fluorescently labeled morphology markers are also applied to visualize the tissue structure.
After staining, the tissue slide is imaged, allowing researchers to identify and select specific regions of interest (ROIs) for analysis. These ROIs can be as small as 10 microns, enabling the profiling of distinct tissue compartments or even individual cell types. UV light is then precisely directed to selected ROIs, which releases the oligonucleotide barcodes from the probes. These released barcodes are collected and quantified using either an nCounter Analysis System or next-generation sequencing (NGS).
What GeoMx DSP Reveals
GeoMx DSP provides detailed, spatially resolved profiles of RNA and protein expression within tissue samples. The output includes “maps” that show where specific genes or proteins are active across different regions of the tissue. This allows researchers to visualize the abundance of hundreds to thousands of target molecules in their original spatial context. For example, it can reveal variations in gene expression between different cell populations within a tumor or specific areas of brain tissue.
The technology can profile a wide range of molecules, including up to 96 proteins or thousands of RNA targets in a single experiment. This high-plex capability, combined with spatial resolution, offers insights that traditional bulk sequencing or immunohistochemistry might miss. Researchers can observe how the expression of particular molecules changes across different tissue compartments or how different cell types interact based on their molecular profiles. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of cellular functions and disease mechanisms in their native environment.
Impact on Scientific Discovery
The spatially resolved molecular data from GeoMx DSP has a significant impact across various fields of scientific discovery. In cancer research, it helps scientists understand the tumor microenvironment, identifying specific cell populations and molecular pathways that contribute to tumor growth and progression. This understanding can guide the development of targeted therapies by revealing how cancer cells interact with their surroundings.
In neuroscience, GeoMx DSP contributes to mapping molecular changes in specific brain regions associated with neurological disorders, potentially uncovering new biomarkers or therapeutic targets. For immunology, it aids in dissecting the complex cellular interactions within immune responses in various tissues, such as autoimmune diseases or infections. GeoMx DSP accelerates the understanding of complex diseases and biological processes, enabling new avenues for research and discovery across diverse biological disciplines.