The future of biomedical research? Illumina’s spatial transcriptomics could unlock unprecedented discoveries

Illumina, Inc. has introduced an innovative spatial transcriptomics technology, designed to significantly enhance the mapping of complex tissues and cellular interactions. The new technology, compatible with Illumina sequencing platforms, delivers unbiased whole-transcriptome profiling at a previously unattainable scale, providing cellular-resolution insights that could revolutionize spatial research.

Set for commercial release in 2026, Illumina spatial technology is expected to unlock new applications in disease research, neurobiology, immuno-oncology, and drug discovery. Early data will be presented at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) General Meeting, where researchers will showcase how this technology has enabled new findings in pulmonary fibrosis, prostate cancer, and large-scale 3D tissue reconstruction.

The company has also announced a strategic collaboration with the Broad Institute on a Spatial Flagship Project, leveraging Illumina’s spatial sequencing technology to generate high-resolution datasets that will drive innovation in spatial biology research.

What Makes Illumina’s Spatial Transcriptomics Technology a Breakthrough?

Illumina’s latest innovation represents a major leap forward in spatial transcriptomics research, allowing scientists to analyze millions of cells within a single experiment. The new system boasts a capture area nine times larger than existing technologies and offers a fourfold increase in resolution, ensuring greater sensitivity and precision.

According to Dr. Steve Barnard, Chief Technology Officer at Illumina, the spatial transcriptomics technology opens new avenues for cellular function research, enhancing scientists’ ability to map tissue architecture and uncover critical disease mechanisms. He noted that Illumina spatial technology is designed as a complete end-to-end solution, delivering cost-effective spatial sequencing while significantly reducing barriers to large-scale studies.

This enhanced resolution enables researchers to identify rare cell populations more effectively, improving statistical power and yielding more confident findings. By providing a scalable, multimodal platform, Illumina aims to make spatial sequencing technology accessible to a broader scientific community.

How Will the Broad Institute’s Spatial Flagship Project Leverage Illumina’s Technology?

Illumina’s collaboration with the Broad Institute marks a significant milestone in spatial transcriptomics research. The Spatial Flagship Project, conducted at the Broad Institute’s Spatial Technology Platform (STP), aims to explore the full potential of Illumina’s spatial sequencing technology by generating large-scale, high-resolution datasets.

By leveraging Illumina spatial technology, the project will collect data from hundreds of research samples, enhancing understanding in fields such as tumor microenvironments, disease progression, and neurological disorders. The initiative also aims to offer early access to Illumina’s platform to external research groups through the Broad Institute’s STP pipeline, fostering wider adoption and accelerating discovery in spatial transcriptomics research.

The Broad Institute’s use of Illumina’s spatial sequencing technology will allow researchers to analyze tissue structures at an unprecedented level of detail, providing deeper insights into disease pathways and cellular interactions.

What Role Does Illumina Connected Multiomics Play in Spatial Research?

Complementing the launch of its spatial transcriptomics technology, Illumina has introduced Illumina Connected Multiomics (ICM), a next-generation multimodal analysis platform. Designed to enhance spatial sequencing technology, ICM simplifies the visualization and analysis of complex biological datasets.

The platform seamlessly integrates genomic, proteomic, epigenetic, and spatial transcriptomics data, enabling researchers to extract meaningful insights from large-scale studies. By providing intuitive visualization tools, ICM helps scientists analyze intricate biological interactions, improving their ability to uncover novel disease mechanisms.

According to Rami Mehio, Head of Global Software and Informatics at Illumina, the Illumina Connected Multiomics platform ensures a smooth workflow from sample processing to data interpretation. By eliminating technical barriers, ICM empowers scientists to derive high-resolution spatial transcriptomics insights more efficiently.

What Real-World Breakthroughs Are Being Achieved With Illumina’s Spatial Technology?

During the AGBT conference, leading researchers will present findings that underscore the real-world impact of spatial transcriptomics technology.

Nicholas Banovich, Associate Director at TGen, will showcase how spatial sequencing technology has enabled high-resolution transcriptomic analysis in pulmonary fibrosis research. His team’s findings have identified molecular dysregulation associated with epithelial cell remodeling, offering potential therapeutic targets for slowing disease progression.

Michal Lipinski of the Broad Institute has utilized Illumina’s spatial technology for 3D tissue reconstruction of mouse brains. His research demonstrates that large-scale, high-resolution spatial experiments can be conducted efficiently on a single slide, setting a new standard in spatial transcriptomics research.

Jasmine Plummer, Director of the Center for Spatial Omics at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, will discuss how Illumina’s spatial sequencing technology has revealed previously undetected biomarkers in prostate cancer research. Her findings suggest that this approach could enhance cancer diagnostics and treatment development.

Darren Segale, Senior Director of Scientific Research at Illumina, will present insights from a high-resolution spatial transcriptomic map of the pregnant mouse brain, revealing region-specific gene expression patterns linked to maternal behavior.

These groundbreaking studies highlight how Illumina spatial technology is pushing the boundaries of spatial transcriptomics research, offering unparalleled precision in mapping biological processes.

How Will Illumina’s Spatial Technology Shape the Future of Biomedical Research?

With its spatial transcriptomics technology, Illumina is poised to transform spatial research. By offering a highly scalable, cost-effective spatial sequencing platform, the company is making advanced spatial research more accessible to scientists worldwide.

The commercial availability of Illumina spatial technology in 2026 is expected to drive major advancements in genomics, precision medicine, and disease research. By enabling high-resolution, multimodal spatial transcriptomics, Illumina is setting the stage for new breakthroughs in cellular mapping, biomarker discovery, and next-generation therapeutics.

As research institutions and biotech companies continue to adopt Illumina spatial sequencing technology, the industry is likely to witness rapid progress in understanding complex tissue architectures, tumor biology, and neurological disorders. With its unparalleled sensitivity, scale, and affordability, Illumina’s new platform is positioned to become a cornerstone of biomedical innovation.