Enabling Targeted Spatial Omics for Research and Diagnostics

Spatially resolved omic technologies enable mapping the spatial organization of tissues at the molecular level and are thus fundamental to understand how complex multicellular organisms work and how they are disrupted by diseases such as cancer.

We recently proposed to establish a Targeted Spatial Omics (TSO) platform at SciLifeLab Solna with the goal of facilitating the use of in situ sequencing (ISS), single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) and multiplexed immunofluorescence (CODEX) TSO technologies by a broad community of users in Sweden and internationally.

To this end, here we plan to: 1) establish standard operating procedures and develop open-source image and spatial analysis tools specifically tailored for TSO techniques (Y1-2); 2) create and validate genome-wide repositories and targeted panels of ISS/smFISH/CODEX probes against clinically useful biomarkers and highly prevalent diseases (Y1-2); 3) work with our clinical and industrial partners to integrate TSO technologies in the frame of clinical trials and drug development pipelines (Y3-4); 4) popularize TSO technologies by establishing an international TSO Working Group and organizing conferences, workshops and courses (Y1-4).

Altogether, these efforts will establish a strategic national infrastructure that will accelerate the use of TSO technologies in academia, biotech/pharma and healthcare, and contribute to strengthen Sweden’s leading-edge position in the global life science sector.