Single-cell spatial mapping reveals reproducible cell type organization and spatially dependent gene expression in gastruloids.

Single-cell spatial mapping of 26 gastruloids reveals consistent cell type organization and spatially dependent gene expression patterns, with notable meso-scale variability.

• Why it matters: Understanding the detailed spatial gene expression and cell organization in gastruloids is crucial for modeling mammalian gastrulation and developmental processes, yet such information has been limited.
• What they did: The study employed spatially resolved single-cell transcriptomics to analyze 26 gastruloids, developing the L-score to quantify spatial gene expression and identify novel cell states and subclusters.
• The result: Findings demonstrate conserved tissue-scale organization, spatially coordinated differentiation, and tissue-specific gene profiles, advancing the use of gastruloids as models and providing new analytical tools.