Company showcases G4X platform capabilities and announces SPOT-Met colorectal cancer initiative.
Singular Genomics demonstrated new spatial sequencing capabilities, including Direct-Seq technology that enables in situ sequencing of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, and a 1,300-gene plex capability on its G4X platform. The capabilities were showcased at Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) 2026 earlier this year.
The San Diego-based company also highlighted SPOT-Met, described as potentially the world’s largest in situ multiomic initiative in colorectal cancer, which will analyze 1,000 colorectal tumors along with matched metastatic and adjacent normal tissues using the G4X platform.
“The field has validated the promise of spatial. The priority now is translation at scale to enable clinically useful data utilizing premier AI models,” says Josh Stahl, chief executive officer at Singular Genomics, in a release. “G4X delivers the throughput and repeatable performance needed for large, clinically anchored cohorts, and we are excited to highlight SPOT-Met as a flagship application.”
Direct-Seq Technology Advances Spatial Analysis
Direct-Seq represents an advancement from detecting known sequences to in situ sequencing of unknown or variable regions within intact cells in FFPE tissue. The technology supports applications including immune repertoire sequencing and somatic mutation profiling inside cells.
“Understanding early cancer formation requires the ability to map somatic mutations within their native tissue context,” says Allan Balmain, PhD, distinguished professor of cancer genetics at the University of California, San Francisco, in a release. “In situ sequencing technologies like the G4X provide a powerful new approach to investigate clonal architecture, early tumor development, and spatial patterns of mutation, opening important opportunities across cancer biology and translational research.”
The company expects Direct-Seq Early Access in the second half of 2026, enabling select partners to begin evaluating workflows and applications.
Large-Scale Colorectal Cancer Initiative
SPOT-Met will leverage spatial multiomics profiling to link spatial readouts to clinical and molecular annotation, advancing understanding of metastatic behavior, organotropism, and therapy response in colorectal cancer.
“Population-scale spatial has arrived and is on center-stage at AGBT 2026,” says Christopher Mason, PhD, professor of physiology and biophysics at Weill Cornell Medicine, in a release.
The initiative is being conducted by researchers Chris Mason and Jiwoon Park from Weill Cornell Medicine.
Platform Validation Data
Singular highlighted validation data from the recently launched G4X platform following external early access programs at leading institutions and 25 technology access cohorts. The validation included single-cell spatial analysis of approximately 4 billion single cells across nearly 20,000 FFPE samples.
“With Direct-Seq, G4X advances from detecting known sequences to in situ sequencing of unknown or variable regions within intact cells in FFPE tissue,” says Daan Witters, PhD, senior vice president of research and development at Singular Genomics, in a release. “These advancements support applications such as immune repertoire sequencing and somatic mutation profiling inside cells, adding a new molecular layer that enables integrated spatial analysis of genotype, phenotype, and microenvironment within intact tissue.”
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