Scientists at the University of Chicago have developed a revolutionary imaging technology called volumetric DNA microscopy. This technology can draw a 3D map of life from the inside out, and scientists can construct complex 3D maps of genetic material by labeling and tracking the interactions between molecules, providing unprecedented views of the organism's interior. The relevant research results were published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Biotechnology. Although traditional gene sequencing methods can reveal rich genetic information in a sample, they cannot display the specific location of a particular gene sequence in the sample or its relationship with surrounding genes and molecules. To compensate for this deficiency, newly developed technology can capture the identity of genetic material while recording its location information. This method is achieved by adding short DNA sequence tags, i.e. unique molecular identifiers UMI, to individual DNA or RNA molecules, and then tracking the interactions between these tags. This interaction helps create a molecular network that reflects the spatial arrangement of genes, thereby generating a three-dimensional image. When using a volumetric DNA microscope, UMI attaches to DNA and RNA molecules inside the cell and begins to replicate. This process will generate a unique event identifier UEI. Each UEI is unique and helps determine the specific location of each gene molecule. Due to frequent interactions between adjacent UMIs, a significant amount of UEI is generated, which provides the necessary information for the computational model to reconstruct the original position and create a spatial map of gene expression. Unlike traditional microscopes that rely on light or lenses, volumetric DNA microscopes rely on calculating the interactions between molecules to create images. This method is likened to using mobile phone data to determine the location of people in a city, just as knowing a phone number can help locate an individual, analyzing interactions between molecules can also infer their location within the body. This technology does not rely on prior knowledge, making it suitable for exploring gene expression in unknown contexts. In tumor research, it can be used to map the interaction between the tumor microenvironment and the immune system, which is of great significance for the development of more accurate cancer immunotherapy or customized personalized vaccines. (New Society)