In this final installment, we’ll cover more tech announcements, our favorite talks, and a wrap-up of the event.
Tech Announcements
Vizgen
Vizgen introduced updates to their MERFISH chemistry and product roadmap. In particular, they enhanced the MERSCOPE 1000-plex gene panel's sensitivity for degraded RNA samples. Additionally, Vizgen and Scale Biosciences formed a strategic partnership to combine their single-cell and spatial technologies to advance research in areas like neuroscience and cancer biology.
Scale Biosciences
Along with their partnerships with Vizgen, BioLegend, and SPT Labtech, Scale Biosciences announced a two-plate workflow for large-scale single-cell sequencing. This workflow allows up to 2 million cells per experiment, with initial use in protein profiling and plans for high-throughput RNA sequencing.
10X Genomics
Straddling single-cell sequencing and spatial analysis, 10x Genomics presented upcoming advancements to all their technologies during a sponsored lunch event. Starting with Xenium, users can expect enhanced cell segmentation abilities. Xenium will also receive in-line multiplex protein detection panels, as well as 5,000-plex gene expression panels. For the Visium platforms, higher-resolution versions will begin shipping this quarter. These newer versions enhance resolution from 55 µm to 2x2 µm squares. The group also launched a major update to their single-cell technology called GEM-X. Slides from their presentation showed these developments include improved microfluidic chips and optimized reagents for improved performance, sensitivity, and cost-efficiency in single-cell research.
Volta Labs
Volta Labs released their Callisto instrument which performs DNA extraction and library prep for both long- and short-read applications. Callisto employs electrowetting technology for automation and requires minimal human intervention. This technology is seen as an advancement in handling high-molecular-weight (HMW) DNA and simplifying complex library preparation processes.
Amazing Talks and Posters
Ghost wolves: Reviving an endangered canid species –Bridgett vonHoldt, Princeton University
The remaining population of red wolves is limited and mostly found in captivity. Upon receiving a photograph of an animal resembling a red wolf, vonHoldt and her team embarked on a search around the Galveston area. They were in pursuit of "ghost wolves"—coyotes carrying the genetic diversity of red wolves, which had been lost in the inbred captive population.
High Accuracy Fusion Transcript Detection from Long-Read Isoform Sequencing using CTAT-LR-Fusion – Brian Haas, Broad Institute, Methods Development Laboratory
Hass described his workflow and the power of CTAT-LR-Fusion, a tool that detects fusion transcripts in long-read data from PacBio and Oxford Nanopore, with optional Illumina data for further analysis.
Next gen proteomics combined with genomics identifies potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer – Cynthia Lawley, Olink
After analyzing data from the UK Biobank, Lawley highlighted insights into breast cancer from large population datasets that couldn’t have been inferred from genomic data alone.
High accuracy somatic variant calling on Ultima Genomics facilitates detailed phylogenetic reconstruction across 303 metastatic tumor samples – Julian Hess, Broad Institute
Hess’s phylogenetic analysis highlighted the power of low-cost and accurate sequencing from Ultima’s instruments.
BioDiversity and Informatics for Genomics Scholars (BioDIGS) – Michael Schatz, Johns Hopkins
Schatz presented his exciting work on the BioDIGS project, which analyzes soil and microbial populations, while also enhancing STEM education and research access for underrepresented students.
Inclusive living subcellular sequencing spotlights physical physiological and human pathological features in osteoimmune diversity – Hiroyuki Okada, University of Tokyo
Okada described the iSCseq technology developed for live cell analysis reveals subcellular transcriptomic diversity. This technology offers new insights into bone resorption and potential therapeutic targets by integrating with scRNA-seq data.
Sequencing of museum biospecimens for the discovery and genomics characterization of orthohantaviruses – Darrell Dinwiddie, University of New Mexico
During his presentation, Dinwiddie described the extensive specimen collections at the Museum of Southwestern Biology and his detailed work that led to the identification of several new hantaviruses.
Cellular-resolution multiplexed CNV-FISH reveals spatial copy number heterogeneity of colorectal cancer – Mei Suen Kong, A*STAR
Kong introduced a novel spatial omics technique called multiplexed-CNV FISH, designed to identify CNVs within tumors with exceptional precision. This approach has uncovered hidden variations, shedding light on the complexities of cancer development.
The Wrap-Up
Thank you to all of the amazing scientists we met last week at AGBT! We can’t wait to see you next year in Marco Island. Since we couldn’t cover it all, we'd love to hear about your highlights and what you think we missed. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Tech Announcements
Vizgen
Vizgen introduced updates to their MERFISH chemistry and product roadmap. In particular, they enhanced the MERSCOPE 1000-plex gene panel's sensitivity for degraded RNA samples. Additionally, Vizgen and Scale Biosciences formed a strategic partnership to combine their single-cell and spatial technologies to advance research in areas like neuroscience and cancer biology.
Scale Biosciences
Along with their partnerships with Vizgen, BioLegend, and SPT Labtech, Scale Biosciences announced a two-plate workflow for large-scale single-cell sequencing. This workflow allows up to 2 million cells per experiment, with initial use in protein profiling and plans for high-throughput RNA sequencing.
10X Genomics
Straddling single-cell sequencing and spatial analysis, 10x Genomics presented upcoming advancements to all their technologies during a sponsored lunch event. Starting with Xenium, users can expect enhanced cell segmentation abilities. Xenium will also receive in-line multiplex protein detection panels, as well as 5,000-plex gene expression panels. For the Visium platforms, higher-resolution versions will begin shipping this quarter. These newer versions enhance resolution from 55 µm to 2x2 µm squares. The group also launched a major update to their single-cell technology called GEM-X. Slides from their presentation showed these developments include improved microfluidic chips and optimized reagents for improved performance, sensitivity, and cost-efficiency in single-cell research.
Volta Labs
Volta Labs released their Callisto instrument which performs DNA extraction and library prep for both long- and short-read applications. Callisto employs electrowetting technology for automation and requires minimal human intervention. This technology is seen as an advancement in handling high-molecular-weight (HMW) DNA and simplifying complex library preparation processes.
Amazing Talks and Posters
Ghost wolves: Reviving an endangered canid species –Bridgett vonHoldt, Princeton University
The remaining population of red wolves is limited and mostly found in captivity. Upon receiving a photograph of an animal resembling a red wolf, vonHoldt and her team embarked on a search around the Galveston area. They were in pursuit of "ghost wolves"—coyotes carrying the genetic diversity of red wolves, which had been lost in the inbred captive population.
High Accuracy Fusion Transcript Detection from Long-Read Isoform Sequencing using CTAT-LR-Fusion – Brian Haas, Broad Institute, Methods Development Laboratory
Hass described his workflow and the power of CTAT-LR-Fusion, a tool that detects fusion transcripts in long-read data from PacBio and Oxford Nanopore, with optional Illumina data for further analysis.
Next gen proteomics combined with genomics identifies potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer – Cynthia Lawley, Olink
After analyzing data from the UK Biobank, Lawley highlighted insights into breast cancer from large population datasets that couldn’t have been inferred from genomic data alone.
High accuracy somatic variant calling on Ultima Genomics facilitates detailed phylogenetic reconstruction across 303 metastatic tumor samples – Julian Hess, Broad Institute
Hess’s phylogenetic analysis highlighted the power of low-cost and accurate sequencing from Ultima’s instruments.
BioDiversity and Informatics for Genomics Scholars (BioDIGS) – Michael Schatz, Johns Hopkins
Schatz presented his exciting work on the BioDIGS project, which analyzes soil and microbial populations, while also enhancing STEM education and research access for underrepresented students.
Inclusive living subcellular sequencing spotlights physical physiological and human pathological features in osteoimmune diversity – Hiroyuki Okada, University of Tokyo
Okada described the iSCseq technology developed for live cell analysis reveals subcellular transcriptomic diversity. This technology offers new insights into bone resorption and potential therapeutic targets by integrating with scRNA-seq data.
Sequencing of museum biospecimens for the discovery and genomics characterization of orthohantaviruses – Darrell Dinwiddie, University of New Mexico
During his presentation, Dinwiddie described the extensive specimen collections at the Museum of Southwestern Biology and his detailed work that led to the identification of several new hantaviruses.
Cellular-resolution multiplexed CNV-FISH reveals spatial copy number heterogeneity of colorectal cancer – Mei Suen Kong, A*STAR
Kong introduced a novel spatial omics technique called multiplexed-CNV FISH, designed to identify CNVs within tumors with exceptional precision. This approach has uncovered hidden variations, shedding light on the complexities of cancer development.
The Wrap-Up
- Ultima officially launched their UG 100 which produces high-quality genomes for $100.
- Element Bio presented plans for AVITI24, a device that can analyze morphology, RNA, proteins, and DNA.
- Singular launched the G4X Spatial Sequencer for throughput in situ RNA sequencing and multiplex protein imaging.
- Complete Genomics revealed their new DNBSEQ-G800 which can perform SE 600bp reads.
- N6 Tec showed how PCR can be improved with their iconPCR instrument.
- NanoString highlighted their CosMx Human 6K Discovery Panel.
- 10X Genomics enhanced cell segmentation and plexity with Xenium. Visium gets major upgrades to resolution and there’s a new and improved single-cell technology, GEM-X.
- So many amazing applications and developments of technologies in all of the presentations and posters… it’s a shame they aren’t all available online.
Thank you to all of the amazing scientists we met last week at AGBT! We can’t wait to see you next year in Marco Island. Since we couldn’t cover it all, we'd love to hear about your highlights and what you think we missed. Share your thoughts in the comments below!