中国物理B ›› 2025, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (8): 88703-088703.doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/ade427

所属专题: SPECIAL TOPIC — A celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the Birth of Bolin Hao

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Analysis of spatiotemporal dynamic patterns of gene expression during mouse embryonic development based on Moran's I and spatial transcriptomics

Qi-Chao Li(李啟超)1,2,†, Hai Lin(林海)2,†, Peng Wang(王鹏)1,2, Qiutong Dong(董秋彤)1,2, Kun Wang(王坤)1,2, Jian-Wei Shuai(帅建伟)2,‡, and Fang-Fu Ye(叶方富)1,2,,§   

  1. 1 Postgraduate Training Base Alliance, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China;
    2 Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, China
  • 收稿日期:2025-05-04 修回日期:2025-06-04 接受日期:2025-06-13 出版日期:2025-07-17 发布日期:2025-07-17
  • 通讯作者: Jian-Wei Shuai, Fang-Fu Ye E-mail:jianweishuai@xmu.edu.cn;fye@iphy.ac.cn
  • 基金资助:
    Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 12090052, U24A2014, and 12325405).

Analysis of spatiotemporal dynamic patterns of gene expression during mouse embryonic development based on Moran's I and spatial transcriptomics

Qi-Chao Li(李啟超)1,2,†, Hai Lin(林海)2,†, Peng Wang(王鹏)1,2, Qiutong Dong(董秋彤)1,2, Kun Wang(王坤)1,2, Jian-Wei Shuai(帅建伟)2,‡, and Fang-Fu Ye(叶方富)1,2,,§   

  1. 1 Postgraduate Training Base Alliance, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China;
    2 Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou 325001, China
  • Received:2025-05-04 Revised:2025-06-04 Accepted:2025-06-13 Online:2025-07-17 Published:2025-07-17
  • Contact: Jian-Wei Shuai, Fang-Fu Ye E-mail:jianweishuai@xmu.edu.cn;fye@iphy.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 12090052, U24A2014, and 12325405).

摘要: Spatial transcriptomics technology provides novel insights into the spatial organization of gene expression during embryonic development. In this study, we propose a method that integrates analysis across both temporal and spatial dimensions to investigate spatial transcriptomics data from mouse embryos at different developmental stages. We quantified the spatial expression pattern of each gene at various stages by calculating its Moran's I. Furthermore, by employing time-series clustering to identify dynamic co-expression modules, we identified several developmentally stage-specific regulatory gene modules. A key finding was the presence of distinct, stage-specific gene network modules across different developmental periods: Early modules focused on morphogenesis, mid-stage on organ development, and late-stage on neural and tissue maturation. Functional enrichment analysis further confirmed the core biological functions of each module. The dynamic, spatially-resolved gene expression model constructed in this study not only provides new biological insights into the programmed spatiotemporal reorganization of gene regulatory networks during embryonic development but also presents an effective approach for analyzing complex spatiotemporal omics data. This work provides a new perspective for understanding developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and related fields.

关键词: Moran's I, spatial transcriptomics, embryonic development, spatiotemporal dynamics, gene regulatory network

Abstract: Spatial transcriptomics technology provides novel insights into the spatial organization of gene expression during embryonic development. In this study, we propose a method that integrates analysis across both temporal and spatial dimensions to investigate spatial transcriptomics data from mouse embryos at different developmental stages. We quantified the spatial expression pattern of each gene at various stages by calculating its Moran's I. Furthermore, by employing time-series clustering to identify dynamic co-expression modules, we identified several developmentally stage-specific regulatory gene modules. A key finding was the presence of distinct, stage-specific gene network modules across different developmental periods: Early modules focused on morphogenesis, mid-stage on organ development, and late-stage on neural and tissue maturation. Functional enrichment analysis further confirmed the core biological functions of each module. The dynamic, spatially-resolved gene expression model constructed in this study not only provides new biological insights into the programmed spatiotemporal reorganization of gene regulatory networks during embryonic development but also presents an effective approach for analyzing complex spatiotemporal omics data. This work provides a new perspective for understanding developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and related fields.

Key words: Moran's I, spatial transcriptomics, embryonic development, spatiotemporal dynamics, gene regulatory network

中图分类号:  (Biological information)

  • 87.10.Vg
87.85.mg (Genomics) 05.45.Tp (Time series analysis)