AtlasXomics Monthly Highlights
Spatial Insights in Alzheimer’s & Prostate Cancer | July 2025
Check out these recent studies that illuminate the epigenetic landscape of disease in tissue context. Together they spotlight cell-state change, lineage reprogramming, and chromatin-driven regulation that shape progression and therapy response—why spatial epigenomics matters
Spatial proteomics redefines human microglia in Alzheimer’s
Spatial brain maps uncover Alzheimer’s-linked microglial states clustered around plaques. The shift from homeostatic to inflammatory phenotypes signals epigenetically primed reprogramming—prime ground for chromatin-accessibility exploration.
NKX2-1 drives neuroendocrine reprogramming of prostate cancer
A lineage-defining transcription-factor network reshapes 3-D chromatin to push prostate tumors from luminal toward neuroendocrine identity. Blocking key co-activators stalls this epigenetic switch and opens a path to halt therapy resistance.
Chromatin-defined microglia states track amyloid plaques
Single-cell chromatin and transcript maps trace microglia migrating into plaque-associated states. Local pathology is tied to epigenetic activation programs that govern immune remodeling in neurodegeneration.
Epigenetic markers predict endocrine resistance in mCRPC
Regulatory enhancer signatures forecast which metastatic tumors will evade androgen blockade. Pinpointing chromatin regulators reveals routes to re-sensitize resistant disease—proof of epigenomic biomarkers’ clinical power.
Epigenetic heterogeneity underlies subtypes of advanced prostate cancer
Advanced tumors split into discrete cell-state programs defined by their chromatin landscapes, not anatomic site. Patient-specific epigenomes illuminate aggressive subtypes and pave the way for precision, epigenetically guided therapy.
Spatial profiling of chromatin accessibility in FFPE tissues
A new spatial readout of chromatin accessibility turns billions of archived FFPE blocks into epigenomic treasure troves. Researchers can now retrospectively map cell-state and regulatory changes across disease stages and treatments.