# Inferring histology-associated gene expression gradients in spatial transcriptomic studies

*PRI Rank #8 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/molecular-biology-techniques-and-applications/2026/rank-8*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #8 |
| 18m citations | 59 |
| Journal | Nature Communications |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41467-024-50904-x |
| Corresponding authors | Jan Kueckelhaus, Dieter Henrik Heiland |
| Institution | Freiburg University, Germany |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/molecular-biology-techniques-and-applications/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1038/s41467-024-50904-x](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-50904-x)

## Topics

Spatial Gradient Screening · Spatial transcriptomics · histology-associated gene expression patterns · cluster-free detection · Cell type deconvolution · injured mouse cortex · TCR-seq · brain tumors · Differential gene expression analysis · spatial architecture of transcriptomes · SPATA2 · supervised detection · Tissue morphology · expression gradients · signature genes

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/molecular-biology-techniques-and-applications/2026. Accessed 2026-07-24.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```