Expanded Seq-Scope Method Boosts Gene-Mapping Resolution

New Seq-Scope-X technique allows researchers to explore gene activity within cells in unprecedented detail.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:05pm

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A highly abstract, geometric painting in soft, earthy tones of green, blue, and brown, depicting a complex, interconnected network of cellular structures and waveforms, representing the detailed gene expression patterns visualized by the Seq-Scope-X technology.The Seq-Scope-X technology unlocks a microscopic universe of gene activity, revealing the intricate dance of molecules within cells.Ann Arbor Today

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed an enhanced version of their groundbreaking Seq-Scope gene-mapping technology, called Seq-Scope-X. This new method overcomes previous limitations by expanding tissue samples, enabling scientists to pinpoint the precise location of expressed mRNA molecules within intact cells with even greater resolution than before.

Why it matters

The ability to visualize gene activity at the cellular level opens up new avenues for scientific discovery, allowing researchers to better understand the complex molecular processes that underpin biological functions and disease. Seq-Scope-X represents a significant advancement in spatial transcriptomics, providing an unprecedented window into the inner workings of cells and tissues.

The details

The key innovation behind Seq-Scope-X is an expansion technique that increases the size of tissue samples, overcoming the physical barrier that had previously limited the resolution of the original Seq-Scope method. This was conceived by graduate student Angelo Anacleto, in collaboration with Dr. Hee-Sun Han. The expanded tissue samples can then be analyzed using the Seq-Scope sequencing platform, developed by a team led by Dr. Jun Hee Lee, a Professor of Molecular & Integrative Physiology. The enhanced resolution of Seq-Scope-X allows researchers to differentiate between mRNAs transcribed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of individual cells, thanks to computational methods developed by Dr. Hyun Min Kang.

  • The original Seq-Scope technology was developed in 2021.
  • The Seq-Scope-X method was described in a paper published in Nature Communications in 2026.

The players

Jun Hee Lee

A Professor of Molecular & Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan, and the leader of the team that developed the Seq-Scope technology.

Angelo Anacleto

A graduate student at the University of Michigan who collaborated with Dr. Hee-Sun Han to develop the tissue expansion technique used in Seq-Scope-X.

Hee-Sun Han

A researcher at the University of Michigan who collaborated with graduate student Angelo Anacleto on the tissue expansion technique for Seq-Scope-X.

Hyun Min Kang

A researcher at the University of Michigan who developed the computational methods used to differentiate between mRNAs transcribed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of individual cells in the Seq-Scope-X system.

Nature Communications

The scientific journal that published the paper describing the Seq-Scope-X method.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted to showcase the power of our Seq-Scope methodology, and we were thrilled to discover that it accurately captures the transcriptome from the expanded tissue.”

— Jun Hee Lee, Professor of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan

“Seq-Scope-X opens up a whole new world of possibilities. We can now make discoveries that were previously out of reach. The technology is evolving rapidly, with resolution improving at an incredible rate. We're proud to be at the forefront of this exciting field.”

— Jun Hee Lee, Professor of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue refining and expanding the capabilities of the Seq-Scope-X technology, with the goal of enabling even more detailed and comprehensive gene-mapping within tissues.

The takeaway

The Seq-Scope-X method represents a significant advancement in spatial transcriptomics, providing researchers with an unprecedented level of detail and insight into the complex gene expression patterns within cells and tissues. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of biological processes and drive new discoveries in fields ranging from developmental biology to disease research.