The University of Georgia School of Medicine’s proposed Institute for Multidisciplinary Translational Medicine is now offering spatial biology and integrated genomics shared resources. Researchers from across the country can now schedule time to use the cutting-edge equipment in the lab of Dr. Yana Zavros, GRA Eminent Scholar in Molecular Medicine and director of the School of Medicine Research Center. The School of Medicine is the only higher education institution in Georgia and one of the few in the country with access to this specialized equipment.
Scheduling for services can be completed by emailing Zavros at [email protected] or Abby Branch at [email protected].
Shared resources available for use are as follows:
RareCyte Orion™
RareCyte’s Orion™ is an imaging platform that streamlines translational discovery by bypassing the standard limitations of fluorescence imaging. With up to 20 fluorescence channels at their disposal, researchers can profile complex tissue samples based on protein expression with one round of staining followed by one automated scan. This allows researchers to visually distinguish different cell types within a tissue sample, creating a color-coded image of how cells are organized. Pairing the high-plex capabilities of Orion™ with its efficient workflow allows for high-throughput analysis of large-cohort studies, which expedites the discovery of prognostic markers and therapeutic targets that can be translated to the clinic. Researchers can perform in-depth spatial analysis and obtain quantitative results from the metadata acquired with each high-resolution image, and with Glencoe’s OMERO plus™, a cloud-based image database, researchers can access and analyze this data from anywhere. All in all, RareCyte’s Orion™ is a novel platform in translational research and a pivotal tool for maximizing clinically impactful discovery.
NanoString CosMx®
Similar to how protein expression can be used to image tissues, so too can mRNA expression, and the CosMx® Spatial Molecular Imager (SMI) from NanoString does both at a remarkably advanced level. CosMx® pairs RNA probes, which bind to complementary, pre-determined RNA targets, and fluorescence barcoding to detect up to 18,000 different mRNA transcripts over the entire tissue. Compared to other imaging platforms, CosMx® is highly sensitive, detecting transcripts with relatively low expression at a subcellular resolution. Using the specific XY coordinates of active genes within the tissue, researchers can study the organization of specific cell populations and define individual cell types, cell states, and cell-cell interactions in the context of their location. Additionally, the CosMx® workflow maintains tissue integrity and has multiomic capabilities, so samples can be further analyzed for the expression of up to 64 different proteins. Performing such high-resolution analysis is critical when investigating processes such as disease progression, and imaging with CosMx® adds another level of biological accuracy by providing spatial context.
NanoString GeoMx®
The Nanostring GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiler is another highly insightful platform that enables researchers to analyze gene and protein activity across biologically relevant regions of tissue. GeoMx® allows users to select distinct compartments within tissue samples based on cell type, geometric boundaries, or contour plots and then analyze these regions with notably high sensitivity, detecting up to 1200 proteins and 18,000 mRNA transcripts. This platform is unique in that it can accommodate large-cohort studies due to its high-throughput workflow while optimizing reproducibility with its flexible profiling capabilities. Taking advantage of this reproducibility, researchers can analyze homologous regions across multiple samples to elucidate meaningful expression patterns within specific tissue types. These factors work in concert to make GeoMx® an exceptionally versatile tool for driving translational research and facilitating clinical discovery.
Parhelia Spatial Station™
The emergence of high-plex spatial multiomics has been instrumental in the field of translational research, but with its inherently complex workflows, variability in sample preparation is highly likely, risking the loss of precious samples. The Parhelia Spatial Station™ addresses these concerns and allows standardization of sample prep with fully automated protocols. Users can choose from many verified assays or create their own with Parhelia’s protocol builder software. Workflows built with the Parhelia Spatial Station™ are highly customizable and cover a range of steps, including but not limited to heating and cooling, mixing, aliquoting, and incubating. While this instrument is fully automated, it also features quality control measures to protect samples and ensure accurate reagent handling. Overall, the Parhelia Spatial Station™ enables more consistent, reliable sample preparation, helping researchers protect precious samples and trust the results they yield.
Indica Labs HALO® Image Analysis Platform
HALO® Image Analysis Platform from Indica Labs will also be available to investigators for quantitative image analysis. This platform offers a variety of user-friendly built-in analysis modules for measuring how cell populations are organized and interact, making it a great choice for researchers with a limited spatial analysis background. Notably, with the HALO® Spatial Analysis Module, researchers can investigate cell proximity and relative spatial distribution across the entire tissue. Users can also tailor HALO® to their specific research needs, as it is compatible with a range of imaging platforms and secondary image management systems. In combination with platforms such as CosMx® SMI and Orion™, HALO® has proven to be an invaluable resource, advancing translational research by streamlining spatial analysis.