How AI-powered spatial biology and digital pathology redefine study precision
Michael Richardson explains how Inotiv is unlocking new insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic effectiveness using spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and AI-powered image analytics.
23 Mar 2026
Michael Richardson, DVM, MBA, DACVP, Director, Discovery & Digital Pathology, Inotiv
As spatial biology continues to redefine the boundaries of biomedical research, Inotiv is integrating these high-resolution mapping technologies to help researchers capture the critical tissue context often lost in traditional analysis. By preserving tissue architecture, these technologies enable high-resolution mapping of molecules and cells in-situ, providing critical context that is lost when tissue is disaggregated.
Leveraging spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and AI-powered image analytics, we provide scientists and clinicians with unprecedented insight into disease mechanisms and therapeutic effectiveness. This integrated digital pathology ecosystem allows us to advance discovery and translational research while establishing a new standard of objectivity, precision, and collaboration in tissue-based pathology services.
The spatial biology revolution
Spatial transcriptomics, an innovation now available through Inotiv's expanding line of services, enables the detection and localization of gene expression patterns at single-cell or near single-cell resolution across intact tissue sections. When combined with other spatially resolved omics data (proteomics, transcriptomics) and morphological analysis, this allows for multiplexed insight into the mechanisms driving disease phenotypes, therapeutic response, and tissue regeneration.
These integrative capabilities are especially potent in arthritides, neuroscience, immunology, cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and other rapidly advancing fields, supporting:
- Biomarker discovery: Identifying specific molecular signatures within the tissue microenvironment.
- Pathway analysis: Mapping biological circuits in their functional spatial context.
- Precision medicine strategies: Tailoring treatments to patient- and tissue-specific characteristics.
Bringing objectivity to histopathology
Traditional histopathological assessment has long relied on manual interpretation, an approach susceptible to field-of-view bias and subjectivity. Inotiv’s solution is an integrated digital pathology ecosystem that harnesses AI algorithms alongside expert pathologist oversight.
Technical Spotlight: Impact on Research Precision
| Capability | Impact on Research |
|---|---|
| Object-Based Recognition | Accurate quantification of immune cell infiltration, protein expression, and biomarkers (fibrosis, apoptosis, etc.). |
| Spatial Pattern Mapping | Accurate quantification of immune cell infiltration, protein expression, and biomarkers (fibrosis, apoptosis, etc.). |
| Automated ROI Analysis | High-throughput, precise evaluation of distinct regions-of-interest for reproducible pipelines. |
Integrative pathology expertise
Our team of board-certified veterinary pathologists brings specialized experience across toxicologic, molecular, and diagnostic pathology. By uniting classic histopathology with innovative digital and spatial tools, we bridge the gap between discovery and actionable clinical insight.
We promote active collaboration between informatics, molecular biology, and pathology specialties—a necessity for unlocking the full promise of personalized and precision medicine. Together, we advance the boundaries of disease understanding and therapeutic development with every slide.
Ready to transition from subjective scoring to objective data? Contact Inotiv today to learn how our integrated toxicology and pathology network can accelerate your next drug discovery milestone.