The new technique, called Pathology-oriented multiPlexing or PathoPlex, can look under a microscope at over 100 different proteins in the same small piece of tissue—instead of just 1-2 at a time, as is done now.

The technology, which has just been published in the journal Nature, combines advanced image processing with machine learning to map complex disease processes in detail.

“PathoPlex provides unique opportunities to explore the complex nature of human disease, which could have a direct impact on patient care,” explains Professor Victor Puelles from the Department of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University.