Well-ST-seq: cost-effective and cellular level spatial transcriptomics with high RNA capture efficiency

Spatial transcriptomic technologies are promising tools to reveal fine anatomical profiles of tissues. In the case of methodologies utilizing barcoded probe arrays, achieving a balance among probe barcoding complexity, cost, gene capture sensitivity, and spatial resolution is crucial for accelerating the spreading speed of spatial transcriptomic in basic science and clinical work. Here, we developed spatially cellular-level RNA-capture probe arrays using miniaturized microfluidic and microarray technologies. By leveraging the predetermined and cost-effective probe fixation characteristics of this methodology, we significantly reduced the consumable cost of the probe array to $0.31/mm2 and fabrication time to approximately 2 hours. Furthermore, the modification of the RNA-capture probe on sequencing slides by microfluidic chip does not rely on large imaging or printing instruments. Notably, the efficiency of the transcript captured by the probe array is even comparable to conventional single-cell RNA sequencing. Based on this technology, the stacked three-dimensional transcriptome atlas and the spatial cell heterogeneity of mouse brains were successfully visualized. Taken together, we present an experimental and analytical framework for the spatial investigation of mouse brain structures and cell phenotypes. Applying new approach – Well-ST-seq for spatial transcriptomes sequencing to mouse tissues in different resolution (10 μm, 20 μm and 30μm).