Building subcellular spatial maps with Xenium In Situ

The Xenium platform achieves highly specific and sensitive detection of RNA targets using a probe-based strategy. The probes are designed using a proprietary 10x Genomics algorithm that ensures no probe crosstalk.

Sample processing starts with sectioning tissues onto a Xenium slide. Sections are then treated to access the RNA for labeling with circularizable DNA probes. Ligation of the probes then generates a circular DNA probe which is enzymatically amplified and bound with fluorescent oligos, creating a bright, easy-to-image signal that has a high signal-to-noise ratio. Up to two slides are then placed in the Xenium Analyzer where the samples undergo successive rounds of fluorescent probe hybridization, imaging, and removal. An optical signature specific to each gene is generated, enabling identification of the target gene. Finally, a spatial map of the transcripts is built across the entire tissue section.