Panelists:
Christina Chang, PhD
Director of Assay and Applications, Spatial Genomics, Takara Bio USA
Panelist
Christina Chang, PhD
Chang leads assay and applications development at Takara Bio, driving the commercialization of novel spatial genomics products. She has extensive experience in single-cell multiomics technologies and has contributed to numerous inventions and commercial launches of single-cell and spatial genomics research products. Chang received her PhD in immunology from the University of California, San Diego.
Linda Orzolek
Vice President of Operations and Corporate Strategy, OMAPiX
Panelist
Linda Orzolek
Linda Orzolek earned her bachelor’s from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA and her master’s in biotechnology at Johns Hopkins University. She started her career in molecular biology research as an ORISE intern for the DoD, where she utilized the, then, newly released Affymetrix microarrays to understand transcriptomics changes in response to chemical weapons exposure. She transitioned to a role at the Johns Hopkins Transcriptomics core and in 2020, she took over as director of the Core and helped introduce single cell and spatial transcriptomics to the JHU campus. Orzolek has consistently prioritized education, leading to the development and instruction of a graduate-level course on the practical applications of single-cell sequencing, as well as the establishment and implementation of the annual Single Cell Symposium at Johns Hopkins. She transitioned over to the commercial side in 2024 and joined OMAPiX, a concierge CRO in Frederick, MD, in October 2024 to build their service lab, bringing her knowledge and experience from the Core to the larger research community.
Xuhuai Ji, MD, PhD
Senior Staff Scientist and Genomics Director, Stanford University School of Medicine
Panelist
Xuhuai Ji, MD, PhD
An accomplished scientist and medical professional with over 35 years of global experience spanning clinical practice and advanced biomedical research, Ji is a central figure at the Human Immune Monitoring Center (HIMC). He has co-authored numerous high-impact studies in prestigious journals including Nature, Nature Immunology, Science, Science Translational Medicine, PNAS, and Hepatology. His recent work focuses on genomics and immunology, particularly on spatial single-cell multiomics and multiome studies.
- Time:
Single-cell technologies increased bulk omics data resolution by enabling molecular profiling of individual cells when they first emerged. Spatial genomics built on that foundation by adding critical information about tissue architecture and cellular context to provide a more complete picture of cells, their environments, and interactions. Each technological advance has introduced new sample prep, workflow, and computational considerations that increase the risks of variability and bias.
In this GEN Learning Lab, our expert panelists Linda Orzolek, MS, MB, Xuhuai Ji, MD, PhD, and Christina Chang, PhD, will discuss the current landscape of imaging- and next-generation sequencing-based approaches for spatial genomics. By comparing the two modalities, they will explore how NGS-driven tools address analytical and operative challenges faced by imaging methods, including cell segmentation versus deconvolution strategies, tissue preparation trade-offs, and large-scale data interpretation. The discussion will also highlight spatial workflows that combine transcriptomics with chromatin accessibility, genomic variation, immune profiling, and protein analysis. Lastly, they will share case studies that demonstrate how spatial genomics spans biological discovery through translational research. Key takeaways include:
- How imaging- and NGS-based spatial technologies compare in terms of their respective strengths, limitations, and workflow considerations.
- How spatial multiomics enhances discovery in oncology, neuroscience, developmental biology, and immunology
- Future directions for the field including the integration of artificial intelligence, the development of spatial reference datasets, and workflows for translational and clinical applications
A live Q&A session will follow the presentations, offering you a chance to pose questions to our expert panelists.
Produced with support from:
The post From Single-Cell to Spatial Multiomics: Expanding Biological Context in Genomic Research appeared first on GEN – Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News.
