MERSCOPE Spatial Transcriptomics

Merscope

Explore new dimensions with MERSCOPE™, the first high multiplexing, high resolution in situ platform to combine single-cell and spatial genomics analysis powered by MERFISH technology.

CUSTOM GENE PANEL DESIGN
SAMPLE PREPARATION
FLUORESCENCE IMAGING
DATA VISUALIZATION

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The MERSCOPE™ Platform

Position yourself at the forefront of scientific discovery with the MERSCOPE™ Platform, the industry’s first high plex, in situ single-cell spatial genomics solution. MERSCOPE uses MERFISH technology to directly map and quantify the spatial distribution of hundreds to tens of thousands of RNA species in individual cells, without the need for downstream sequencing.

A Complete Spatial Genomics Solution

We integrated MERFISH technology with high resolution imaging, fluidics, image processing, and automation to deliver a complete end-to-end spatial genomics solution. The MERSCOPE Platform comes with everything your lab needs to get running. We built our expertise into every component of the system so you can easily obtain and analyze high quality MERFISH measurements.

The MERSCOPE Platform is comprised of:

MERSCOPE Instrument & Analysis Computer
Intuitive Software
MERSCOPE Reagents & Consumables

LEARN MORE ABOUT MERFISH TECHNOLOGY

MERSCOPE Flow Chamber (top) and MERSCOPE Imaging Cartridge (bottom). Both components get inserted into the MERSCOPE Imaging box for each MERFISH experiment.

Profile Large Tissue with Subcellular Resolution

Through combinatorial labeling, sequential imaging, and error-robust barcoding, MERFISH technology provides the highest detection efficiency and resolution available for spatially profiling the transcriptome, from whole tissue section to single-cell and finally sub-cellular imaging across the whole tissue. We are proud to offer a Data Release Program to provide researchers with public access to MERSCOPE-generated data.

spatially resolved transcriptome of a mouse brain slice generated by MERSCOPE. Whole tissue resolution (left). Single-Cell view (center). Sub-celluar resolution at (right).

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MERSCOPE Instrument

MERSCOPE uses MERFISH technology to directly map and quantify the spatial distribution of hundreds to tens of thousands of RNA species in individual cells, without the need for downstream sequencing. The instrument is comprised of an imaging box and a processing computer.

High Sensitivity

Detect low expressing genes that can be missed using other technologies.

High Spatial Resolution

Localize RNA transcripts at a subcellular level with ≤100 nm resolution.

Multiplexing Power

High multiplexing with custom gene panel design. Current chemistry up to 500 genes.

Versatility

Measure your specified genes on many sample or tissue types.

Ease of Use

Intuitive automation and complete reagent packs allow for a walk-away system.

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Vizgen Gene Panel Design Portal

The Vizgen Gene Panel Portal is a user-friendly web-based application for building custom gene panels to run on the MERSCOPE™ Platform. With the Portal you can customize your gene panels with real-time feedback about which genes are most suitable for a MERFISH measurement. The Portal guides you through each step, making the entire process simple and easy.

From the Portal you can:

Build custom MERFISH gene panels
Request quotes for gene panels, reagents, and consumables
Download a panel’s Codebook
Access previously designed panels and quotes

The MERSCOPE Workflow

MERSCOPE™ Vizualizer Software

The MERSCOPE™ Vizualizer software enables users to interact, analyze, and interpret even the most complex datasets generated by a MERFISH experiment. Our intuitive software seamlessly combines spatial context at the single-cell level to assist researchers with gaining valuable biological insights. With the tool, you can easily visualize MERFISH data including:

Imaged cells
Detected transcripts
Heat map- 2D cells-genes table
Scatterplot-displays dimensionality reduced cells and cell clusters
Generate high-resolution images

laptop open with MERSCOPE Vizualizer Software displaying spatial location of the detected RNA transcripts from the MERFISH Mouse Brain Receptor Map dataset.

MERSCOPE Reagents & Consumables

Vizgen manufactures a variety of reagents and consumables needed to run MERFISH measurements with the MERSCOPE™ Platform:

Product	Description
MERSCOPE Slides	Sample slides for MERSCOPE instrument that are functionalized for tissue samples to enable Vizgen sample preparation protocols.
MERSCOPE Gene Panels	Custom gene panels comprised of encoding probes targeting. Currently available in three sizes; up 140 genes, up to 300 genes and up to 500 genes.
MERSCOPE Gene Imaging Kits	Imaging reagent kits containing the reagents and cartridge for running a measurement on the MERSCOPE platform. Currently available in three sizes; up 140 genes, up to 300 genes and up to 500 genes.
MERSCOPE Cell Boundary Staining Kit	Kit containing a 3-protein staining reagent for cell segmentation in dense tissues. Compatible with Human and Mouse samples.
MERSCOPE Sample Prep Kit	Kit containing sample preparation reagents for 20 samples. Compatible with fixed, fresh frozen tissue and cultured cells.
MERSCOPE Sample Verification Kit	Kit containing smFISH probes and imaging reagents to do a single imaging run. Currently available for human and mouse.
MERSCOPE Protein Stain Kits	MERSCOPE Anti-Mouse Protein Stain Kit, MERSCOPE Anti-Rabbit Protein Stain Kit, MERSCOPE Anti-Goat Protein Stain Kit, MERSCOPE Anti-Rat Protein Stain Kit, MERSCOPE Anti-Human Protein Stain Kit, and MERSCOPE Anti-Chicken Protein Stain Kit.
MERSCOPE Protein Stain Verification Kits	MERSCOPE Protein Verification Kit (Mouse, Rabbit, Goat) and MERSCOPE Protein Verification Kit (Rat, Human, Chicken).
MERSCOPE FFPE Slide Box	FFPE specific slides for MERSCOPE experiments.
MERSCOPE FFPE Sample Prep Kit	FFPE specific kit containing sample preparation reagents for 10 samples.

MERSCOPE Frequently Asked Questions

Neuroscience, Human Brain Atlas, Cancer Research, Infectious Disease, Developmental Biology, Drug Development, Cell & Gene Therapy and more. There is important information encoded on spatial locations within cells as much as there is spatial information between cells; with MERSCOPE we can investigate individual cells and see how different transcripts are expressed to learn about development and disease.
No, MERFISH is not a sequencing technology and does not require any downstream sequencing. The chemistry is based on single molecule FISH which has been established as the gold standard for quantifying gene expression. For single molecule FISH, multiple fluorescently labelled probes are designed to bind to the desired RNA target with high specificity. By directly counting the number of RNA targets that fluoresce, we achieve incredibly high detection efficiency for determining RNA expression. This is true quantitation of RNA, even for low expressing genes which have been very challenging to detect by traditional technologies such as single cell sequencing.
The sample preparation workflow for MERSCOPE is similar to the sample preparation workflow for standard tissue pathology procedures. To prepare a sample with the MERSCOPE workflow the sample is sliced, loaded onto a MERSCOPE slide, stained with the custom gene panel, embedded into a polyacrylamide to digest away the proteins to reduce the auto fluorescent background, and finally the sample is imaged.

Still have questions? Contact us.

Popular MERSCOPE™ Resources

User Guides

MERSCOPE Photobleacher User Guide

This guide outlines the instructions for use for the MERSCOPE Photobleacher. The MERSCOPE Photobleacher is used to remove autofluorescent background from tissue samples before performing MERFISH measurments on the MERSCOPETM Platform.

User Guides

MERSCOPE Platform Grant Application Resource

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If you are interested in using MERSCOPE for your research, contact us today.

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