STAT+: Human Cell Atlas leader’s tie to 10x Genomics raises conflict-of-interest questions

STAT PlusIn the Lab Human Cell Atlas leader’s tie to 10x Genomics raises conflict-of-interest questions Project plans to deliver a first draft of all the cell types in the body by year’s end Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Megan MolteniJune 16, 2026 Science Writer Megan Molteni[email protected]Megan covers the intersection of science and society. How is biomedical research funded? Who benefits? And how do new technologies reflect and shape our values? You can reach Megan on Signal at mmolteni.13. A decade since its founding, the International Human Cell Atlas Consortium is hosting a high-profile meeting in Boston this week, with panels featuring more than two dozen prominent academics and biotech industry leaders, including Genentech’s Aviv Regev, David Altshuler of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Eric Lander from the Broad Institute. The event, which is expected to draw hundreds of scientists from across the globe, comes at an inflection point in the HCA’s ambitious aim to build a comprehensive reference map of all the different types of cells that make up a human body. Later this year, the HCA expects to deliver a first draft — the completion of single-cell atlases across all of the major organs and tissues — that promise to boost researchers’ understanding of how the body works. So far the HCA has focused on building a reference of healthy cells and the genes they express. In its next phase, it plans to tackle disease, and that means amassing knowledge about where particular cells are located, who their neighbors are, and who they’re communicating with — a rapidly emerging field known as spatial biology.Advertisement It’s embarking on this expansion when the field is awash in new technology options from companies like Vizgen, Bruker, Illumina, Takara Bio, Bio-Techne, and 10x Genomics, a Bay Area company whose single-cell RNA sequencing technology was the workhorse of the HCA’s first phase. Scientists who want to join this effort will be faced with decisions about which commercially available solutions to use. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In genetics, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Megan Molteni Science Writer Megan covers the intersection of science and society. How is biomedical research funded? Who benefits? And how do new technologies reflect and shape our values? You can reach Megan on Signal at mmolteni.13. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended First Opinion June 16, 2026 Congress must reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act First Opinion June 16, 2026 I’m an Alzheimer’s specialist. I still missed it in my own father Advertisement Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA approves Colorado’s plan to import cheaper drugs from Canada Politics June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump’s obesity drug plan creates a temporary Medicare program that may be hard to end Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: A key European clinical trial registry lacks complete and timely results, an analysis finds Subscriber Picks