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Visium CytAssist Sequencing

The Visium platform from 10x Genomics combines histology, protein detection, and spatially resolved whole transcriptome gene expression profiling to localize and quantify gene expression in the tissue context. Visium CytAssist assay offers Visium Spatial Gene Expression for FFPE, which is compatible with human and mouse formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections. This assay utilizes RNA-templated ligation (RTL) of pairs of gene target probes for highly specific and sensitive detection of the whole transcriptome.

Image of a Visium CytAssist slide showing 5,000 barcoded spots used for spatial gene expression analysis across tissue sections.

Image of a Visium CytAssist slide featuring 14,000 barcoded spots used for high-resolution spatial gene expression profiling across tissue samples.

Highlights

  • The Visium CytAssist enables users to start with tissue on standard glass slides, allowing input tissue to be prepared, stained, and imaged using standard histology workflows
  • Pre-screen tissue sections and then use the instrument for precise manual alignment of tissue section to Visium Capture Areas making the most of your spatial discovery studies
  • Compatible with H&E or immunofluorescently stained FFPE tissue sections, the CytAssist instrument allows you to use pre-sectioned and pre-stained tissues with 6.5 x 6.5 mm or 11 x 11 mm Visium Capture Area slides

Sample submission requirements

  • We only accept the slides after staining and imaging
  • The sample must locate inside the green frame of the example slides as in the figure below
  • We highly recommend to check the sample RIN if it is possible
  • The samples with DV200>30% are recommended for the assay
  • Please contact the core via email at [email protected] or call 713-500-7933 for more information.

UTHealth Houston B.R.A.I.N.S. HumanBiorepository and Histopathology Core or Research Histology Core Laboratory (RHCL) can help with the sample slide preparation.

Photograph showing multiple tissue samples prepared on Visium CytAssist slides for spatial gene expression analysis.

Service workflow

Workflow diagram for Visium CytAssist spatial gene expression service, showing steps from tissue preparation and staining to imaging, barcoding, and sequencing.

Data analysis with Cell Ranger

Space Ranger's pipelines analyze sequencing data produced from Visium Spatial Gene Expression for Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) and Fresh Frozen (FF) tissue samples. The CytAssist instrument aids in the transfer of analytes from the FFPE tissue section on a standard glass slides to the CytAssist Spatial Gene Expression Slide. The workflow diagram shows all the required inputs and the corresponding spaceranger flags for analyzing CytAssist enabled FFPE tissue samples:

Diagram illustrating data analysis workflow for Visium CytAssist, including spatial mapping of gene expression, clustering, and visualization of tissue-specific patterns.

Useful documents