Project description
Low-cost, high-resolution spatial transcriptomics
Spatial transcriptomics allows scientists to analyse gene expression in tissue with remarkable precision, revealing how genes are distributed across different regions. However, the technology remains expensive and inaccessible, limiting its use primarily to low-throughput research. Current methods involve complex and costly processes, such as printing unique address IDs on surfaces or using microscopy for sequencing, both of which increase costs and time. As a result, broader applications in diagnostics and high-throughput analysis remain out of reach. In this context, the ERC-funded MESH CHIP project aims to introduce a low-cost, high-resolution platform. Specifically, it uses self-assembly and computational reconstruction, cutting costs and improving performance. Overall, it enables higher throughput and opens new possibilities in tissue analysis.
Objective
We propose a technology platform for low cost, high resolution spatial transcriptomics surfaces. Spatial transcriptomics is a high cost research methodology for resolving the spatial variation of genes in a tissue by capturing mRNA transcripts on a surface containing molecular address markers. To produce these surfaces, current methods rely on either printing technology with explicit assignment of unique address ID's to spatial locations or else random scattering of molecular ID's that are then sequenced in situ using microscopy. Both of these fabrication methods are prohibitively expensive and time consuming, such that spatial transcriptomic technology is still limited to a narrow selection of low throughput research applications. Our proposed technology, the MESH CHIP represents a radically different approach to producing these surfaces. Rather than print surfaces or build sequence-address maps with in situ microscopy, our technology works by self-assembly and deduction from sequencing data alone. This means that no prior information about the identity or location of address markers on the surface is needed prior to mRNA capture and sequencing. Instead, this information is reconstructed computationally using graph theory in a post hoc fashion. By moving this information roadblock in the fabrication process to the increasingly cheap sequencing and computing stage, we greatly improve the cost performance of this technology. MESH CHIP technology would represent a qualitatively lower cost product with greater performance than the state of the art, unlocking new use cases like diagnostics and high throughput tissue processing.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
100 44 STOCKHOLM
Sweden
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.