Spain has installed its first 3D spatial transcriptomics platform at CNAG in Barcelona. This breakthrough allows researchers to study gene activity in real tissue environments. The first project targets colorectal cancer, aiming for more precise diagnostics and therapies.
Spain has introduced its first 3D spatial transcriptomics platform at the Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG) in Barcelona. Developed by Pyxa (Stellaromics), this system is one of only three in Europe and is already being used to study colorectal cancer, a common and aggressive tumor. The technology arrived on September 15, 2026, and, according to the Spanish news agency EFE, puts Spain among a small group of European centers with this capability.
This platform preserves the three-dimensional structure of tissue samples, letting scientists see gene activity in its actual location within organs. For the first time, researchers can map how the position of each cell in a tumor or healthy tissue affects its behavior and role in disease. The system can analyze tissue slices up to 20 times thicker than before, which helps in understanding how cancer spreads and how healthy cells interact with their surroundings. EFE notes that this is especially useful for studying tumor structure and the nearby microenvironment.
The investment in the Pyxa platform at CNAG was approximately 500,000 euros, funded through the EU's Next Generation program and Spain's Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.
The first focus is colorectal cancer, but the technology has broader uses. By keeping the original structure of tissues, it allows detailed studies of gene activation, RNA production, and protein translation in their natural context. Scientists can now create precise maps of ribosomes and follow how genetic instructions become proteins, a process central to health and disease. EFE reports that the first project is already underway and targets colorectal cancer, described as one of the most frequent and aggressive tumor types.
Dr. Anna Pascual Reguant, who leads the Spatial Genomics team at CNAG, compares the new approach to putting on '3D glasses' to watch tumors develop. The platform is not limited to cancer research; it is expected to speed up studies of immune disorders and chronic inflammatory diseases by revealing cell mechanisms that were hidden in two-dimensional analyses. According to EFE, CNAG points out the technology's potential for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, since 3D analysis lets researchers observe cell interactions within the tissue's original structure.
This investment—nearly 500,000 euros, funded by the European Union's Next Generation program under the Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia—gives Spanish hospitals and research centers access to a tool that can help identify new biomarkers, improve patient classification, and support the development of more effective, personalized therapies.
Stellaromics has confirmed that the Pyxa platform is being adopted not only in Spain but also at leading research institutions across the US and Europe, indicating a broader international rollout rather than a single local installation.
For Spain, this technology is more than just an equipment upgrade. It shows a commitment to advanced research and a willingness to compete with top European centers. As results from the colorectal cancer project appear, the main question will be how quickly these findings lead to better diagnostics and treatments. CNAG's move sets a new standard for biomedical research in Spain, with the goal of taking a leading role in medical innovation.
