Whole-embryo spatial transcriptomics at subcellular resolution from gastrulation to organogenesis

Back to news list

Source: Science Magazine

Original: https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.adt3439?af=R...

Published: 2026-03-12T07:00:00Z

Researchers have developed the weMERFISH platform for spatial transcriptomics of the entire zebrafish embryo at subcellular resolution.[1] Using it, they quantified the expression of 495 genes in whole embryos from gastrulation to organogenesis.[1] Integration with single-cell multiomics data produced an atlas with the expression of 25,872 genes and the accessibility of 294,954 chromatic regions, available online through the MERFISHEYES interface.[1] The temporal expression of genes coincides with cell maturation and morphogenetic movements.[1] Diverse expression patterns correspond to composites of tissue-specific accessible elements.[1] Changes in gene expression create sharp boundaries during gastrulation.[1] This method provides a comprehensive spatial atlas of gene expression and chromatic accessibility in the embryo.[1]