NicheTrans: spatial-aware cross-omics translation

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Abstract
While spatial multiomics offers insights into complex biological systems, its widespread adoption is hindered by technical challenges, specialized requirements and limited accessibility. Here we present NicheTrans, a spatially aware cross-omics translation method and a flexible Transformer-based multimodal framework. Unlike existing single-cell translation methods, NicheTrans incorporates both cellular microenvironment information and multimodal data. We validated the advantage of NicheTrans across diverse biological cases. Through NicheTrans, we uncovered spatial multiomics domains that were not detectable through single-omics analysis alone. Model interpretation revealed key molecular relationships, including gene programs associated with dopamine metabolism and amyloid β-associated cell states. In addition, using translated protein markers as spatial landmarks, we quantified the spatial organization of key glial cell subtypes in the Alzheimer’s disease brain. NicheTrans represents a powerful tool for generating comprehensive spatial multiomics insights from more accessible single-omics measurements, making multiomics analysis more feasible for the broader research community.

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