The Spatial Transcriptomics Plot element

A Spatial Transcriptomics Plot (Image spatial_transcriptomics_16_n_p) represents each barcode as one point, with its position determined by the spatial position within the tissue, optionally overlayed on an image of the corresponding tissue (figure 11.1). The spatial position of each barcode can be seen in the table (Image table_16_n_p) view.

Image spatial_plot
Figure 11.1: A Spatial Transcriptomics Plot of the GSM7962129 data from the Gene Expression Omnibus repository. Top: Default view. Bottom: The image is fit to the tissue, and brightness, contrast and transparency are adjusted. The barcodes are colored using the expression of KRT10.

Using a Spatial Transcriptomics Plot, various aspects of the data can be visualized, cells can be manually annotated and various tools can be started using the information selected in the plot, see Single cell low-dimensional plots functionality for details.

When Overlay on image is checked, the tissue image, if available, is shown and the barcodes are displayed on top of it. If the image contains the fiducial markers, Fit to tissue can be used to clip the image to only show the tissue where barcodes have been detected. Using the sliders, the brightness and contrast of the image, as well as the transparency of the points, can be controlled.

Linking to a Dimensionality Reduction Plot

A Spatial Transcriptomics Plot can be linked to a Dimensionality Reduction Plot, such that the options and selections are mirrored in both plots. For example:

The barcodes in the Dimensionality Reduction Plot and those in the Spatial Transcriptomics Plot need to have the same sample name. Ideally, it should be ensured that these share the sample name as a first step when importing the Spatial Transcriptomics Plot element (see Import Spatial Transcriptomics). If this has not been done, the sample name can be updated using the Update Single Cell Sample Name tool (see Update Single Cell Sample Name).

To link the plots (figure 11.2):

Image spatial_sync_with_side_panels
Figure 11.2: A Dimensionality Reduction Plot can be associated to a Spatial Transcriptomics Plot. Top left: Initial view. Top right: A plot has been dragged into the Side Panel and is now associated. Bottom left: An associated plot can be opened from the menu in the top right corner of the Side Panel group. Bottom right: The link is active.

On subsequent uses of the Spatial Transcriptomics Plot, the Dimensionality Reduction Plot can be opened from the Side Panel (figure 11.2).

An active link is indicated by a checkmark (Image green_checkmark_16_h_p) in the Side Panel (figure 11.2). When there is an active link, most of the Side Panel groups for the Spatial Transcriptomics Plot are disabled and the coloring is based on the options chosen in the Dimensionality Reduction Plot (figure 11.3).

Image spatial_dr_side_by_side
Figure 11.3: The source of colors in the Spatial Transcriptomics Plot is controlled from the Side Panel of the Dimensionality Reduction Plot. Lasso selections in either plot is reflected in both plots.

When the active link is disabled by unchecking Link to plot, the Side Panel groups for the Spatial Transcriptomics Plot are enabled again and the coloring is reverted to the state before the link was activated.

The link to the Dimensionality Reduction Plot can be manually refreshed by using the (Image refresh_16_n_p) button or toggling Link to plot. This needs to be done in a number of situations: