Abstract: Provided herein is a system comprising: a) spatial sampler system configured to collect and transmit one or a plurality of cells or nuclei from a tissue specimen, the system comprising: i) a lower carrier having an array of conduits passing therethrough, each conduit comprising an opening on a first side and communicating with an opening on a second side, wherein the opening on the second side either (1) terminates in a capillary or (2) opens onto a well of a multiwell plate; ii) positioned, above the lower carrier, a perforated specimen holder configured to support a frozen tissue specimen, wherein the specimen holder comprises a plurality of perforations having a size sufficient to permit the passage of single cells or nuclei; and iii) positioned, above the specimen holder, a multifunctional head comprising an upper array of upper conduits, optionally, each aligned with a conduit opening of the lower carrier.

Abstract: A system, methods, and apparatus are described to collect and prepare single cells and groups of cells from microsamples of specimens and encode spatial information of the physical position of the cells in the specimen. In some embodiment, beads or surfaces with oligonucleotides containing spatial barcodes are used to analyze DNA or RNA. The spatial barcodes allow the position of the cell to be defined and the nucleic acid sequencing information, such as target sequencing, whole genome, gene expression, used to analyze the cells in a microsample for cell type, expression pattern, DNA sequence, and other information, in the context of the cell's physical position in the specimen. In other embodiment, markers such as isotopes are added to a microsample to encode spatial position with mass spectoscopy or other analysis. The spatial encoded information is then readout by analysis such as DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, fluorescence, or other methods.

Abstract: A system, methods, and apparatus are described to collect and prepare single cells and groups of cells from microsamples of specimens and encode spatial information of the physical position of the cells in the specimen. In some embodiment, beads or surfaces with oligonucleotides containing spatial barcodes are used to analyze DNA or RNA. The spatial barcodes allow the position of the cell to be defined and the nucleic acid sequencing information, such as target sequencing, whole genome, gene expression, used to analyze the cells in a microsample for cell type, expression pattern, DNA sequence, and other information, in the context of the cell's physical position in the specimen. In other embodiment, markers such as isotopes are added to a microsample to encode spatial position with mass spectoscopy or other analysis. The spatial encoded information is then readout by analysis such as DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, fluorescence, or other methods.

Abstract: Modular fluidic microchips, systems integrating such microchips, and associated preparative and analytical methods are presented.