Takara Bio USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Takara Bio Inc., has announced major updates to its spatial biology product line, introducing a new class of spatial technology designed to make single-cell spatial analysis more accessible, versatile, and integrative. Central to these updates is the expansion of the Trekker™ Single-Cell Spatial Mapping Kits to support formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples, one of the most widely used archival tissue types in research and clinical studies.
This innovation enables researchers to extend high-resolution spatial profiling to a broader spectrum of samples, including precious archival tissues, without requiring specialized instrumentation. The Trekker kits have also been enhanced for compatibility with multiple research workflows and third-party instruments, including 10x Genomics, BD Biosciences, Parse Biosciences, and Illumina single-cell library preparation platforms.
Advancing Platform-Agnostic Spatial Biology
Takara Bio USA is advancing a platform-agnostic approach in spatial biology, enabling true single-cell spatial resolution while integrating multiomic analyses. The enhanced Trekker kits support combined applications such as epigenetic and RNA-seq profiling, immune cell characterization, and broader multiomic readouts, providing deeper biological insights across a range of tissue types. Researchers can now incorporate spatial information into existing single-cell workflows without disrupting standard sequencing protocols.
“Takara Bio is providing researchers with a new way to approach spatial biology—faster, easier, more cost-effective, and with richer multiomic insights,” said Andrew Farmer, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Takara Bio USA. “Building on our track record as the first company to commercialize single-cell DNA and RNA sequencing, expanding into spatial biology is a natural progression. As the only company offering tools for spatial, single-cell, and bulk sequencing, Takara Bio is uniquely positioned to deliver a powerful combination at scale. These advances establish us as both an emerging leader in spatial biology and a long-trusted global provider of life science technologies.”
Trekker Technology: Instrument-Free Spatial Mapping
The Trekker kits represent a new class of spatial technology by combining the benefits of high-resolution single-cell analysis with spatial context, all without the need for specialized instrumentation. This instrument-free design allows researchers to overlay gene and protein expression maps onto tissue architecture, transforming conventional single-cell sequencing data into spatially resolved insights.
The kits are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing laboratory workflows, providing:
- Enhanced compatibility with FFPE and fresh samples.
- Multi-platform flexibility, supporting third-party library prep systems.
- Expanded multiomic capabilities, combining transcriptomics, epigenomics, and immune profiling.
“Single-cell, spatial omics is redefining how we study tissue biology,” said Nachiket Kashikar, PhD, Co-founder of OMAPiX. “Takara Bio’s platform-agnostic approach opens new possibilities and enables researchers to ask deeper scientific questions, without the need for specialized instruments or additional capital investment. By lowering barriers to entry, this technology has the potential to transform foundational research outcomes.”
To complement the experimental platform, Takara Bio USA has also introduced an enhanced, end-to-end bioinformatics software solution, alongside dedicated technical support from Field Application Scientists and Technical Support Scientists. These services help researchers optimize downstream analysis, integrate multiomic datasets, and leverage open-source software tools for more robust data interpretation.
Expanding Applications and Research Integration
Takara Bio USA’s spatial portfolio now accommodates a wide range of research applications, including:
- High-resolution mapping of tissue heterogeneity.
- Profiling of immune cell interactions within tissue microenvironments.
- Linking epigenetic modifications to gene expression at the spatial level.
- Facilitating discovery research in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and developmental biology.
By offering end-to-end spatial biology solutions, Takara Bio USA empowers researchers to combine spatial and molecular insights in a unified workflow, accelerating discovery and improving reproducibility.
Investing in the Future of Spatial Biology
Takara Bio USA is investing heavily in research and development to support its spatial biology expansion. The company has integrated its Palo Alto spatial team into its San Jose facilities, consolidating expertise and resources to enhance innovation. In addition, all manufacturing of Trekker and Seeker spatial biology solutions has been centralized in Takara Bio USA’s facilities, enabling scalable production and meeting growing global demand.
“As we celebrate Takara Bio USA’s 20th anniversary, we mark an important milestone in our history as a trusted partner to researchers worldwide,” said Carol Lou, President & CEO of Takara Bio USA. “Our innovation in spatial technology builds on two decades of delivering leading life science tools—spanning next-generation sequencing, PCR, gene expression, gene editing, and single-cell analysis. With our new class of spatial technology complementing our single-cell platforms, and continued investment to make spatial biology accessible to more labs, Takara Bio USA is positioned at the forefront of revolutionizing single-cell spatial biology for de novo discovery.”
A Platform for Multiomic Discovery
By providing integrated spatial and multiomic solutions, Takara Bio USA enables researchers to:
- Visualize cellular heterogeneity within tissue architecture.
- Combine transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic data at single-cell resolution.
- Integrate spatial biology into existing single-cell workflows without the need for additional instrumentation.
- Accelerate translational research and discovery in diverse biomedical fields.
The company’s platform-agnostic strategy ensures broad applicability across academic, pharmaceutical, and clinical research settings, empowering scientists to pursue deeper insights into complex biological systems.
Conclusion
With the launch of FFPE-compatible Trekker kits, expanded multiomic capabilities, and enhanced bioinformatics support, Takara Bio USA is redefining accessibility and flexibility in spatial biology. By lowering barriers to entry and integrating seamlessly with existing workflows, Takara Bio enables researchers worldwide to generate high-resolution, spatially informed single-cell data, accelerating discovery and expanding the frontiers of biomedical research.
