Spatial Genomics Popularity Contest

After a number of good suggestions, my list of spatial genomics platforms has grown to 18 (with four in the necropolis, mostly due to 10X Genomics acquisitions). [Edit: the list has now grown to 21 platforms.] There were a number of additional spatial protein platform suggestions, but many of these “high multiplexing” systems topped out at 4 or 7 proteins at a time. My arbitrary cutoff was double digit multiplexing that used some method apart from different dyes for each antibody. Regardless, most of the focus and excitement centers around platforms that can detect many RNAs (sometimes with proteins thrown in for good measure) at subcellular resolution. 

Since spatial genomics seemed to be the main focus of AGBT this year, I asked Twitter which platform they were most excited about. Since Twitter limits polls to four questions, I had to split the platforms across two polls. Despite the awkward setup, there was enough participation to get a reasonable snapshot. 

I split 10X Genomics and NanoString across the two polls as I guessed these would be the two most popular companies. Surprisingly, Vizgen handily beat NanoString for second place. Perhaps NanoString performed (relatively) poorly because of the high instrument cost, especially compared with 10X Genomics. 

[Edit: The graph is now updated to reflect the final results of the poll. 10X Genomics and Vizgen ended up in a dead heat!]

The good news, especially for the newer players, is that it still seems like early days. Platforms are in the process of migrating from multicellular to subcellular resolution and from lower to higher multiplex levels, so there’s still plenty of time to lead the field. Or get acquired by 10X Genomics.