Understanding how genes behave within the structure of tissues is key to unlocking new biological insights. Current tools for spatial transcriptomics often look at either the genes or the tissue images—but not both together effectively. stImage is a new open-source R package that brings gene expression, histology images, and cell locations into one powerful framework. Using deep learning, stImage extracts detailed features from tissue images and offers 54 ways to integrate them with genetic data. This helps researchers find the best strategy for analyzing complex tissue samples and gain a clearer view of how cells work together. By improving how we visualize and interpret tissue biology, stImage paves the way for more precise discoveries in health and disease.
