An online workshop was held via Zoom, bringing together experts from three leading institutions (National Institute of Biology (NIB), Stockholm University (SU) and VU University Medical Center (VUmc).

The workshop focused on two cutting-edge spatial omics technologies: in situ sequencing (ISS) and imaging mass cytometry (IMC). ISS enables spatially resolved transcriptomic profiling within tissue sections, preserving cellular context and revealing gene expression patterns at high resolution. IMC complements this by providing multiplexed protein detection through metal-tagged antibodies and mass spectrometry, allowing simultaneous visualization of dozens of biomarkers in intact tissue architecture.

Together, these approaches offer powerful insights into cellular heterogeneity, tissue organization, and disease microenvironments. The session introduced ISS and IMC principles, highlighted applications in brain cancer, and provided practical guidance on experimental design, data analysis, and integration of spatial transcriptomic and proteomic datasets. Participants gained a deeper understanding of how these technologies can advance biomedical research and translational studies in cancer biology.