Spatial omics is a field that allows scientists to study biological samples at a single-cell level. These techniques, which combine genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics information, enable researchers to see how genes, RNA, and proteins are arranged within a tissue. This field is still new but can potentially revolutionize our understanding of biology and disease. Since spatial omics rely on analyzing biological samples, optics and photonics play a crucial role in this field. Various optical microscopy techniques, such as fluorescence microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), are used to study biomolecule distribution within tissues. These techniques provide valuable information about the structure and function of cells and tissues, which can help researchers understand how diseases develop and how they can be treated.
Here are some of the key benefits of using spatial omics:
It enables researchers to study biological processes at the single-cell level, providing a more detailed understanding of how cells function within tissues.
It allows researchers to identify rare cell populations important for disease development.
It can be used to develop new diagnostic tools and therapies.
Overall, spatial omics is a rapidly growing field with the potential to transform our understanding of biology and disease. Optics and photonics play a critical role in this field by providing the tools necessary to analyze biological samples at a high resolution.
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