Prof. CAO Gang from Shenzhen Institute of Technology visited IHB on Nov. 19, 2025. (Credit: IHB)

Prof. CAO Gang from Shenzhen Institute of Technology visited the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on November 19, 2025, delivering a thought-provoking academic lecture titled "Beyond the Hype: A Critical Look at the Dazzling Single-cell Spatial Omics" as part of the IHB's 2025 Innovation Lecture Series (Session 8).

Professor Cao provided a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge methodologies in single-cell sequencing, analyzing the distinct technical strengths of both single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. He shared valuable insights into enhancing the resolution of integrated single-cell spatial omics for in situ sequencing, discussing approaches such as machine learning-based imputation and the strategic selection of Smart Panels during sequencing.

The presentation also covered the newly developed Multi-omics in situ Pairing Sequencing (Mip-Seq) technology, elucidating the technical principles behind integrating omics data with imaging techniques, including calcium imaging and Raman spectroscopy.

Furthermore, Prof. Cao discussed the application principles of combining FISH technology with AI and flow cytometry to leverage data generated from single-cell spatial omics for remote diagnostic purposes. Following the presentation, he engaged in a vibrant question-and-answer session with faculty and students, exploring technical challenges in applying spatial multi-omics to IHB's research on fish and algae. Topics included the application of multiplex FISH and the potential for integrating in situ metabolomics with spatial transcriptomics.

Prof. Cao holds a Ph.D. from the NCMLS Center in the Netherlands and completed postdoctoral research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Currently a professor and doctoral supervisor at Shenzhen Institute of Technology, his long-term research focuses on developing emerging single-cell spatial multi-omics technologies and their applications in neurobiology and precision diagnostics. His distinguished accolades include the National Teaching Award (Second Prize), the Chinese Medical Science and Technology Award (Second Prize), and the designation of his courses as National Top-Tier MOOCs and National First-Class Undergraduate Courses. In recent years, as a corresponding author, he has published numerous papers in leading international journals such as Nature Genetics, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Neuron, Nature Communications, Science Advances, Nucleic Acids Research, and Genome Biology. He holds 12 authorized patents, several of which have been successfully commercialized, and has obtained multiple medical device certifications.