Mapping the transcriptome: Realizing the full potential of spatial data analysis

RNA sequencing in situ allows for whole-transcriptome characterization at high resolution, while retaining spatial information. These data present an analytical challenge for bioinformatics—how to leverage spatial information effectively? Properties of data with a spatial dimension require special handling, which necessitate a different set of statistical and inferential considerations when compared to non-spatial data. The geographical sciences primarily use spatial data and have developed methods to analye them. Here we discuss the challenges associated with spatial analysis and examine how we can take advantage of practice from the geographical sciences to realize the full potential of spatial information in transcriptomic datasets.