Technologies Overview

Spatialomics is transforming research at the UMN by integrating advanced technologies in genomics, proteomics, and imaging. This new frontier allows researchers to maintain tissue spatial context while exploring gene activity and protein interactions at both tissue and individual cell levels. Such technological capabilities offer unprecedented insights into cellular interactions, disease mechanisms, and developmental processes, which traditional bulk genomics and proteomics methods may miss.

The UMN Spatialomics Initiative grew out of a collaboration between the UMN Genomics Center (UMGC) and the University Imaging Center (UIC) that began in 2019, just as commercial spatialomics technologies were hitting the market. As early adopters of the NanoString GeoMx platform, UMN positioned itself at the forefront of this transformative field. 

Today, UMN offers a comprehensive array of advanced spatialomics tools, divided between the UMGC and UIC based on their primary focus as either imaging or genomic-based platforms, as outlined in the table below. 

The primary point of contact for a particular spatialomics technology is outlined in the table's bottom row. Researchers new to spatialomics or researchers interested in switching to a new technology will begin by filling out a Project Intake Form to tell us about your experimental goals, and the appropriate core will reach out to set up a consultation.