For years, a significant challenge in biology has been the loss of location information when tissues are processed for analysis. We at STOmics see spatial omics solutions as the necessary answer to this problem. These are integrated platforms designed to analyze molecules like RNA and proteins directly within their original tissue context. This approach preserves the architectural blueprint of life, allowing researchers to see not just what biomolecules are present, but precisely where they are located and how they interact. A complete spatial biology workflow integrates specialized tools into a seamless process. Here, we will explain how these integrated spatial omics solutions function from start to finish.

The Foundation: Integrated Kits and Hardware

A functional spatial biology workflow begins with reliable, standardized physical tools. Isolated instruments or incompatible reagents can create bottlenecks and variability. Effective spatial omics solutions therefore combine optimized kits for sample preparation and library construction with dedicated hardware for imaging and processing. At STOmics, our solution provides this integrated foundation. Our kits and hardware, such as the Go Optical imager, are designed to work in concert. This synergy supports the initial critical steps of sample preparation, staining, imaging, and the in situ capture of mRNA, setting a stable stage for accurate data generation and moving the workflow efficiently toward sequencing.

From Tissue to Code: The Sequencing Bridge

The core analytical power of any spatial omics solutions platform is unlocked at this stage. Following cDNA synthesis from the captured mRNA, the process moves into library preparation and sequencing. This phase transforms the spatial molecular information from the tissue section into digital sequencing data. The technology driving this conversion is paramount. Our approach utilizes Stereo-seq, a method that enables high-plex capturing of the whole transcriptome across a centimeter-sized field of view. This capability ensures that the vast complexity of a tissue sample is translated into a comprehensive digital dataset, preserving the spatial coordinates for each data point. This step is what turns a tissue image into a richly layered, analyzable spatial map.

Completing the Cycle: Data Interpretation and Insight

The final, crucial component of modern spatial omics solutions is the software that makes the complex data accessible and biologically meaningful. Raw sequencing output, while information-rich, requires specialized processing, visualization, and analysis. A complete spatial biology workflow must therefore include robust bioinformatics. Our software solutions, like SAW and StereoMap, are built for this purpose. They manage the tasks of data analysis and visualization, allowing researchers to reconstruct spatial maps, identify gene expression patterns in specific tissue niches, and uncover cellular interactions. This transforms raw data into visual, actionable biological insight, completing the journey from tissue to discovery.

The integration of these components—kits, hardware, sequencing technology, and software—defines a contemporary spatial biology workflow. It is this end-to-end coordination that enables a true "tissue-to-data" experience, providing a powerful lens to study health and disease in their natural tissue context. By offering a coordinated suite of these tools, we aim to provide researchers with a robust pathway to discovery. STOmics is focused on supporting the scientific community with these integrated spatial omics solutions.