HONG KONG, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, spatial omics has become a powerful tool, enabling researchers to see not only what molecules are present in a tissue, but also where they are located and how they are organised across cells, tissue structures and local microenvironments. This spatial context has significantly deepened our understanding of cancer, neurobiology and immunology. Yet as the field keeps advancing, an important question remains: How many of these powerful technologies are truly ready for routine clinical use?
The most informative technologies are often also the most demanding, requiring expensive instruments, reliance on sequencing, complicated tissue preparation, lengthy workflows and substantial computational resources. While these requirements are manageable in well-resourced research settings, they can become major obstacles in real-world pathology laboratories, where time-sensitive biopsies, clinical practicality and broad patient access are critical considerations.
To address this challenge, a research team led by Professor Shi Peng from the Department of Biomedical Engineering in College of Biomedicine at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) has presented Spectrum-FISH, a sequencing-free and amplification-free approach for the spatial analysis of tissue. The method is based on a "touch-and-go" molecular fishing strategy that uses vertically aligned nanoprobes. Unlike existing spatial omics technologies, which typically require extensive tissue pre-treatment, Spectrum-FISH can be applied directly to freshly prepared tissue samples. Spatial information is preserved through a simple yet effective registration strategy, allowing researchers to map molecular signals back to tissue structures and individual cells.
Using a series of experiments involving developing mouse neural tube and olfactory bulb and fresh human colorectal biopsy specimens, the research team investigated whether spatial profiling could be made more accessible by reducing dependence on sequencing, minimising tissue processing and lowering assay costs, while maintaining biologically informative resolution. Spectrum-FISH's compatibility with fresh tissues and sequencing-free design offer advantages in affordability and scalability. Its coordinate-preserving sampling strategy also points to new possibilities for spatial analysis in live or minimally processed tissues. Moreover, its ability to profile messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA methylation provides a potential pathway towards spatial multi-omics that are less dependent on large-scale sequencing infrastructure.
The findings were published recently in Nature Biomedical Engineering in a paper entitled "Sequencing-free spatial profiling of post-transcriptional regulation in fresh tissues using nanoneedle arrays". The study aligns closely with the themes discussed in a recent comment article, "Clinical translation of spatial omics", co-authored by Professor Shi and published in Nature Reviews Bioengineering. Together, the two publications underscore the growing momentum towards the clinical translation of spatial omics.
"This project reminded us that innovation in biomedicine is about more than enabling measurements; it must also ensure they are practical and accessible," said Professor Shi. "By simplifying workflows and reducing costs while preserving spatial insight, we hope Spectrum-FISH demonstrates how spatial omics technologies can move closer to routine clinical application. Ultimately, we believe the future of spatial omics will be defined not only by how deeply we can map tissues, but also by how effectively we can translate those maps into meaningful clinical action."
In addition, a related US patent filed by Professor Shi—System and Method for Tissue-Wide Single Cell Post-Transcriptional Profiling of Multiple Molecular Targets—was recently granted, further highlighting the strong translational potential and promising future in precision medicine.
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CityUHK researchers advance spatial omics to routine clinical use
Collaborations at CENTRESTAGE 2026 and Mid-Autumn K-Festival Week Highlight Integration of Technology, Fashion and Food
News Summary
- LG Electronics Hong Kong presented its home appliances at two major Korean cultural events this September.
- LG partnered with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) at CENTRESTAGE to showcase how the LG Styler supports garment care in Korean fashion exhibits.
- During Mid-Autumn K-Festival Week, organized by the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, LG presented a "Housewarming by LG" K-Lifestyle experience zone featuring the LG Styler, InstaView™ refrigerator and multifunctional microwave steam oven.
- The events demonstrated how LG's technologies can support convenient garment care and optimal food preservation in the daily lives of Hong Kong consumers.
HONG KONG, Sept. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) Hong Kong highlighted its latest smart home technologies through two cultural collaborations in Hong Kong this September. Through its participation in CENTRESTAGE 2026 and Mid-Autumn K-Festival Week, LG demonstrated how its technologies – from garment-care and kitchen appliances to smart home solutions – can bring the creativity of Korean fashion and food culture to Hong Kong consumers, supporting more convenient everyday living.
Supporting K-Fashion Through Innovative Garment Care
At CENTRESTAGE 2026, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from Sept. 2-5, LG collaborated with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) to support the Korea Pavilion. At the exhibition, the LG Styler provided a convenient garment-care solution for the fashion pieces on display, helping refresh and prepare them throughout the exhibition while reducing the need for frequent ironing that may place stress on delicate fabrics.
During the event, LG engaged with Korean fashion designer Antonio Shin, whose latest collection features delicate materials such as premium rayon and natural fibers. Shin emphasized that garment care is an integral part of extending the design vision and preserving a fabric's unique character. He highlighted how the LG Styler's steam technology helps refresh garments and maintain the original texture, drape and silhouette of delicate pieces, demonstrating how technology can complement a designer's craftsmanship.
Creating a K-Lifestyle Experience at Mid-Autumn K-Festival Week
LG extended its efforts to share K-Lifestyle experiences at Mid-Autumn K-Festival Week from Sept. 21-27 at Central Market. The event, co-presented by the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (KoCham HK) and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation, invited visitors to explore Korean culture through food, workshops and experiences.
LG hosted a dedicated "Housewarming by LG" K-Lifestyle experience zone to showcase a range of products, including the LG Styler and InstaView™ refrigerator. The interactive layout allowed visitors to experience firsthand how these appliances deliver comfort and convenience in a modern, welcoming home environment.
Showcasing K-Food and Ingredient Care
During a live cooking demonstration on Sept. 26, acclaimed Korean chef Park Joon-woo presented his interpretation of contemporary Korean cuisine using the LG 349L InstaView™ Bottom Freezer Refrigerator and the new LG 32L Multifunctional Microwave Steam Oven. Featuring Korean dishes such as Hanwoo beef with a galbijjim sauce and grilled Korean pork belly, Chef Park combined refined techniques and bold flavors to spotlight Korean culinary tradition and modern creativity.
During the demonstration, Chef Park highlighted the LG InstaView™ refrigerator's Knock Twice feature, which illuminates the glass panel to let users see inside without opening the door. This helps to reduce cold-air loss and keep meal preparation more organized.
Chef Park also shared his culinary philosophy and discussed how careful organization and storage are equally important as quality ingredients. He noted that consistent temperature control is especially critical for preserving premium ingredients like Hanwoo beef and Handon pork. Supported by LG's LinearCooling™ and DoorCooling⁺™ technologies, the refrigerator minimizes temperature fluctuations and circulates cool air evenly, helping ingredients maintain their freshness and flavor and giving home cooks greater confidence to elevate everyday dining.
Connecting Culture Through Technology
Through these collaborations, LG continues to create new connections between Korean creativity and Hong Kong consumers. Looking ahead, LG remains committed to integrating technology into everyday life, introducing more consumers to the convenience, style and sophistication of K-Lifestyle and the company's Life's Good brand vision.
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer electronics with a presence in almost every country and an international workforce of more than 74,000. LG's four Companies – Home Appliance Solution, Media Entertainment Solution, Vehicle Solution and Eco Solution – combined for global revenue of over KRW 88 trillion in 2024. LG is a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial products ranging from TVs, home appliances, air solutions, monitors, automotive components and solutions, and its premium LG SIGNATURE and intelligent LG ThinQ brands are familiar names world over. Visit www.LGnewsroom.com for the latest news.
About LG Electronics Home Appliance Solution Company
The LG Home Appliance Solution Company (HS) is a global leader in home appliances and AI home solutions. By leveraging industry-leading core technologies, the HS Company is committed to enhancing consumers' quality of life and promoting sustainability. The company develops thoughtfully designed kitchen and living appliance solutions and has recently integrated LG's Robot Business Division to incorporate advanced robot technologies into its home solutions. Together, these products offer enhanced convenience, exceptional performance, efficient operation and sustainable lifestyle solutions. For more news on LG, visit www.LG.com/global/newsroom/.
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LG BRINGS K-LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCES TO HONG KONG THROUGH CULTURAL COLLABORATIONS
LG BRINGS K-LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCES TO HONG KONG THROUGH CULTURAL COLLABORATIONS
LG BRINGS K-LIFESTYLE EXPERIENCES TO HONG KONG THROUGH CULTURAL COLLABORATIONS
