A new collaboration between Earlham Institute and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH) will drive forward patient-focused research in Norwich, by enabling scientists to work with local histology and spatial transcriptomics expertise.
Spatial transcriptomics is a cutting-edge technology that shows scientists where genes are active within a tissue sample, providing a detailed picture of what is happening at a cellular level. It’s become particularly useful in clinical research studies of cancer, neurology, and rare diseases, and is an important tool for research at Earlham Institute.
The method requires very thin sections of tissue for spatial analysis (approximately one tenth of a human hair). To cut tissue this thin, it requires specialist experience, and the tissue must either be frozen or preserved. Human samples are commonly preserved, for long term storage, using a method called formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE). FFPE allows researchers to use precious archived samples, instead of obtaining fresh tissue.
This partnership will build on the sectioning expertise and methods developed at The Cotman Centre at NNUH for histopathology, adapting and translating them for use in spatial experiments at Earlham Institute.
Daniella Shipley, Research Assistant at Earlham Institute said: “Tissue sectioning is a very difficult technique, but is crucially important to ensure the highest-quality data is generated for spatial transcriptomics. We work with many different tissue types, and we’re pleased to be partnering with the outstanding histology expertise at The Cotman Centre, here in Norwich.”
Eleanor Gilham, Specialist Biomedical Scientist at NNUH, said: “I am delighted to be part of this exciting collaboration between NNUH and the Norwich Research Park. Being able to utilise my current skills in histology alongside the cutting-edge technology provided by the Earlham Institute is a fantastic opportunity and a valuable option for researchers.”
Daniella Shipley, Research Assistant at Earlham Institute
Rebekah Girling Clinical Services Research Lead said: “This is an exciting collaboration I have had the pleasure to work on, and an important step for the Norwich Research Park as we seek to collaborate for clinical research with our local partners such as Earlham Institute, and support the work of the Norfolk and Waveney region.”
This collaboration also builds on the existing relationship between the Earlham Institute and the Norwich Research Park Biorepository. The Biorepository is an invaluable resource for clinical research, storing and managing human tissue samples, provided by consenting patients, for studies into the causes and treatments of diseases.
Recent research between the Earlham Institute, NNUH, and the NRP Biorepository has seen scientists explore rare forms of disease including Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), benefitting from early-stage samples from patients being treated at the NNUH.
The Biorepository, within the Research Park, is where applications can be made for archival FFPE blocks, to use in research projects such as with the Spatial Transcriptomics platforms at Earlham Institute, or other studies involving tissue samples.
Anyone interested in working with the spatial transcriptomics team at Earlham Institute can find out more and contact the team directly via the Earlham Institute website.
Spatial transcriptomics is transforming our understanding of cellular biology and tissue organisation. Unlike conventional approaches that dissociate tissues into individual cells, potentially losing important spatial context, spatial transcriptomics enables gene expression to be studied while preserving the tissue architecture.
By measuring gene expression in situ and mapping it to its location within a tissue, researchers can characterise patterns of gene activity, investigate the distribution of cell types and states, and identify relationships between cells and their environments. This can help generate insights about cellular interactions and reveal how local tissue organisation influences biological processes and disease.
Spatial transcriptomics is advancing research across developmental biology, cancer, immunology and neuroscience, offering new opportunities to investigate disease mechanisms, understand tissue heterogeneity, and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
The Earlham Institute harnesses data-driven biology to accelerate solutions for health, biodiversity and food security. The Institute combines world-class technology and interdisciplinary expertise across genomics, engineering biology and data science to deliver scientific breakthroughs with economic and social impact.
Based at Norwich Research Park, Earlham Institute is one of eight institutes strategically funded by BBSRC.
