The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience (IBB) at Georgia Tech has launched the Spatial Omics and Data Analytics (SODA) Center, a new interdisciplinary research hub advancing the next frontier of biomedical discovery. 

The center is co-directed by Ahmet Coskun, Bernie-Marcus Early-Career Professor and Associate Professor in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Xiuwei Zhang, J.Z. Liang Early Career Associate Professor in the School of Computational Science and Engineering. 

The rapidly growing field of spatial omics is a way to study lipids, genes, proteins, and other biological molecules while keeping track of where they are in tissue. This can allow researchers to determine how cells interact with their native environment, providing potentially critical information for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.  

The SODA Center envisions a future where spatial omics is used to help researchers understand biological function through their precise spatial and temporal relationships within tissues and organs, rather than solely through molecular components. By integrating expertise in biomedical engineering and computational science, the center seeks to transform raw spatial omics data into predictive models of health and disease. 

Through the development of next-generation analytical methods, computational tools, and open-source resources, SODA aims to empower researchers to map the cellular and molecular architecture of life with unprecedented resolution and translational impact. The center’s broader goal is to establish Georgia Tech as a global leader in spatial omics research. 

To build community and foster collaboration, the center is launching the SODA Synergy Seminar Series, beginning May 15 from 12–1 p.m. in the Krone Engineered Biosystems Building, CHOA Seminar Room. This series will bring together researchers across disciplines to share emerging discoveries and accelerate innovation in spatial omics and data analytics. 

The SODA Center represents a major step forward in uniting data science and bioengineering to unlock new insights into complex biological systems.