The paper introduces SpaceBar, a novel biotechnology that integrates cellular clone tracing with high-resolution spatial transcriptomics. By using a library of 96 synthetic barcodes to uniquely label cells, researchers can simultaneously monitor ancestral lineages and gene activity within their physical tissue environments. The study demonstrates the tool's effectiveness in both melanoma cultures and mouse xenografts, revealing how cellular functions are shaped by either internal heritage or external surroundings. A key finding highlights that while most gene expression is dictated by spatial location, certain markers like SFRP1 exhibit strong clonal inheritance. Ultimately, SpaceBar provides a sophisticated framework for distinguishing between heritable traits and environmental influences in complex biological systems.

References:

• Kinsler G, Fagan C, Li H, et al. SpaceBar enables single-cell-resolution clone tracing with imaging-based spatial transcriptomics[J]. Nature Methods, 2025: 1-6.