Spatial biology first entered the omics scene about a decade ago. Since then, the technology has generated significant buzz both inside and outside of the lab—beyond its contributions to science. The industry that surrounds spatial technologies has been full of litigious drama, with courtroom battles that have called into question the role of patent IP in the scientific enterprise.
Perhaps the legal contention has added to spatial biology’s mystique. (Would companies fight so hard over technologies that are not truly “game-changing”?) Regardless, many consider spatial worth the hype (and the legal bills). The ability to uncover new biology by applying spatial information is redefining how questions are asked in biology.
But this article is not about the…