# Digital Spatial Profiler

> **NIH NIH S10** · ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE CORP · 2021 · $295,000

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Funds are requested for a NanoString GeoMxTM Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP). This instrument is a multiplexed
imaging device that facilitates spatial gene expression analysis. This instrument will provide unique value added
to investigators at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the surrounding area in Western New
York. The DSP instrument couples technologies that give spatial information in formalin fixed tissue with
downstream molecular analysis. Traditional technologies such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) or
immunofluorescence (IF) provide spatial information but are limited by fluorophores. In contrast, single cell
sequencing provides deep information on single cells, but spatial information is lost. The DSP can accurately
and sensitively detect up to 1800 RNA molecules and 96 proteins, with spatial resolution using a combination of
RNA probes and antibodies. This form of data is particularly relevant in the context of cancer research (e.g.
tumor heterogeneity, tumor microenvironment), as well as other biological disciplines (e.g. developmental
biology, neuroscience). While there are tools for spatial analyses and genomics at Roswell Park, there is no
comparable technology to the DSP in a 200-mile radius. The instrument will be placed in the Center for
Personalized Medicine (CPM), which is focused on advanced tissue analysis and juxtaposed with the Genomics
Shared Resource (GSR) of Roswell Park which is focused on molecular analyses. This structure provides the
unique combination of pathological and genomic expertise to appropriately leverage the DSP instrument. There
are 8 major users of the instrument that combined will use ~80% of the instrument capacity. Remaining
instrument capacity will be made available to internal or external researchers through our on-line scheduling and
booking system. The CPM/GSR directors will generate a business plan, with a multidisciplinary advisory board
responsible for instrument oversight, while the institution will support the instrument through service contracts,
personnel, and marketing/promoting. This new instrument will provide more unique data that will enable funded
researchers to best advance their programs for maximum impact.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10176722
- **Project number:** 1S10OD030410-01
- **Recipient organization:** ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE CORP
- **Principal Investigator:** Agnieszka Witkiewicz
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $295,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10176722

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10176722, Digital Spatial Profiler (1S10OD030410-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10176722. Licensed CC0.

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