Nikon's Spatial Omics Analysis Software Technology to be Utilized in Joint Research on Breast Cancer Metastasis Led by the University of Tokyo
Contributing to Cancer Research with Technology that Visualizes Multi-layered Omics Information on Microscopic Images
March 4, 2026
TOKYO - Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce that its software technology, developed to visualize multiple layers of spatial omics information*1 on microscopic images, was used in joint research led by Professor Yutaka Suzuki's group at the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, the University of Tokyo. Nikon also participated in this research. This software technology supports the analysis and investigation of breast cancer metastasis.
This software technology enables researchers to visualize and analyze multiple types of omics information, such as DNA methylation*2 and gene and protein expression, along with the spatial information of biological samples (locations and morphological characteristics within the sample). This allows researchers to study the causes and mechanisms of complex diseases, such as cancer, considering that many factors are involved in multiple stages and the disease can develop and spread heterogeneously.
- *1Omics information refers to biomolecular data such as genome (genes), transcriptome (RNA), proteome (proteins), and metabolome (metabolites). The process of measuring and interpreting these biomolecular data in conjunction with the spatial characteristics of biological specimens, including their positional context and morphological features within the tissue, is called "spatial omics analysis."
- *2DNA methylation is a chemical modification that involves the addition of a methyl group (-CH3) to the 5th carbon atom of a cytosine base in DNA. This is a form of gene expression regulation through epigenetic modification.
In this joint research, the software technology was used to superimpose gene expression levels and DNA methylation rates of regions with varying degrees of cancer malignancy onto a microscopic image of a sample, facilitating comparisons between the regions. This revealed several genes whose expression levels vary significantly in association with the malignancy of breast cancer, suggesting that some gene expression levels are regulated by DNA methylation.
Nikon will continue to contribute to improving the quality of life by providing technologies and solutions that help elucidate the causes and mechanisms of diseases, such as cancer, and other life phenomena, and ultimately support the development of new treatments and drugs by academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
The information is current as of the date of publication. It is subject to change without notice.