# Single Cell Spatial Transcriptomics Shared Instrument at the BCM Core Facility

> **NIH NIH S10** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2022 · $304,000

## Abstract

Abstract
Single-cell omics is a rapidly growing new field that provides many advantages over traditional ‘bulk’ tissue
profiling methods, such as the ability to resolve intratissue heterogeneity in cell types, profile disease
microenvironments, and study rare subpopulations. However, one of the major drawbacks of current single-cell
transcriptome technologies is that they require the isolation of single cells, resulting in the loss of spatial
information. To address this issue, spatial single-cell transcriptomics technologies have been recently
developed, which will enable many new research opportunities. The requested instrument, the MERSCOPE
from Vizgen, is currently the only commercial platform for the recently developed multiplexed error-robust
fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH) technology that allows in situ transcriptome profiling at single cell
resolution. By utilizing error-robust and error-correcting encoding schemes, MERFISH enables massively
multiplexed single-molecule RNA imaging with high sensitivity and accuracy. The shared MERSCOPE
instrument will be placed at and administrated by the established BCM Single Cell Genomics Core (SCGC) to
ensure smooth operation and easy access. We have identified 16 research groups at BCM as users.
Together, these groups have 41 active research projects funded by the NIH and will use 90% of the capacity of
the instrument. The research focuses of these projects are highly diverse, and they are funded by fifteen
institutes at the NIH, including the NICHD, NIAMS, NIDC, NCATS, NIDDK, NEI, NCI, NIA, NIGMS, NHLBI,
NHGRI, NINDS, NIAID, NIEHS, and NIMDH. As the participating PIs are all engaged in both basic and clinical
research, we believe the introduction of this new instrument will have direct, broad, and immediate impact on
many medically relevant fields.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10414324
- **Project number:** 1S10OD032189-01
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** RUI CHEN
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $304,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10414324

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10414324, Single Cell Spatial Transcriptomics Shared Instrument at the BCM Core Facility (1S10OD032189-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10414324. Licensed CC0.

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