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Xenium Panel Designer Workflow Guide

Xenium Panel Designer Workflow Guide

The following sections walk you through the design process using the Xenium Panel Designer (XPD) on the 10x Genomics Cloud (available globally). The design tool enables two types of workflow: standard and advanced.



First-time users of the 10x Cloud will be asked to create a new account. If you already have a 10x Cloud account, you do not need to create a new one. To get started, click "Start a New Panel Request".

At any point during the design process, you can save ("Finish later") and resume work on the panel design later. We provide examples of common design workflows here.

Open the Xenium Panel Designer app

Custom panel design options are enabled in the Xenium Panel Designer. Depending on the design type listed below, please follow the steps for either the automated standard workflow or the advanced workflow during which a 10x bioinformatician will help you finalize the design request.

The table below summarizes the custom panel design options by Xenium In Situ Gene Expression assay chemistry.

Panel typesXenium v1Xenium Prime 5K
Add on to pre-designed panel (up to 100 genes) Standard workflow Standard workflow
Standalone custom (human/mouse reference; up to 480 genes) Standard workflow
Species standalone (non-human/mouse reference; up to 480 genes) Advanced workflow
Include advanced custom targets in design Advanced workflow Advanced workflow
  • "Xenium v1" refers to experiments customizing v1 panels and following either the Xenium In Situ Gene Expression - Probe Hybridization, Ligation & Amplification User Guide (CG000582) or the Xenium In Situ Gene Expression with Cell Segmentation Staining User Guide (CG000749).
  • "Xenium Prime 5K" refers to experiments customizing Xenium Prime 5K panels and following the Xenium Prime In Situ Gene Expression with optional Cell Segmentation Staining User Guide (CG000760).

This workflow is automated so you can finalize designs on your own in the Xenium Panel Designer if you are requesting an add-on custom gene panel that complements a 10x pre-designed panel or a standalone custom gene panel for:

  • Human or mouse
  • Standard genes (defined as genes in the human GRCh38 or mouse GRCm38 transcriptome references)

Follow the design tool steps to add sample and input information. Click on the links to learn more about each step in the Xenium Panel Designer.


App stepDetails
Add Sample InfoAdd sample information. For this workflow, be sure to check "Standard genes (e.g. genes in the GRCh38 or mm10 transcriptome)" for the target type.
Select Panel TypeSelect either the pre-designed panel you wish to build upon with add-on custom genes or standalone custom panel. Next, select the number of custom genes you would like to include in the custom panel.
Provide ReferenceLearn about single cell reference input options and formats here.
Provide GenesLearn about gene list options and format here.
Review RecommendationsOnce the input steps are completed, review recommendations from the panel design summary provided by the design tool for your panel design. Modify or proceed with the design.
Review and FinishWhen you are satisfied with the results, finalize the design. Contact your sales representative with the design ID to request a quote to start the panel ordering process.

This workflow enables you to submit a request for species standalone or advanced custom panel designs. Our 10x Support teams will work with you to review and finalize the panel design; you will not be able to finalize these panel design types within the Xenium Panel Designer on your own.

Start by contacting your sales representative to order an Advanced Panel upgrade and generate a unique design ID to track your panel through the design process. If you do not know your sales representative, please contact [email protected]. Advanced Panel upgrade parts are listed on the part number pages (v1, Xenium Prime 5K)

These design requests may include:

  • Non-human / non-mouse species (including multi-species samples)
  • Advanced custom targets

Follow the design tool steps to add sample and input information. Click on the links to learn more about each step.


The selections in Add Sample Info ensure that your panel design request is directed to our 10x support team. Please do not use the Standard workflow for advanced custom submissions.

App stepDetails
Add Sample InfoAdd sample information. Enter your design ID and select the "Other (including multi-species samples)" (for Xenium v1 panels only) and/or any of the "Advanced targets" options that apply to your request.
Select Panel TypeSelect either the pre-designed panel you wish to build upon with add-on custom genes or standalone custom panel. Next, select the number of custom genes you would like to include in the custom panel.
Provide ReferenceLearn about single cell reference input options and formats here.
Provide GenesLearn about gene list options and format here.
Provide SequencesProvide RNA-binding domain information. This step is optional and only applies to Xenium v1 species standalone custom or advanced custom panel designs.
Review and FinishAfter you submit the request in the design tool, our support team will be notified. For advanced custom designs, provide advanced custom sequence information to your 10x bioinformatics representative.

Next, 10x bioinformaticians will share and discuss the panel design summary results with you to fine-tune custom designs before they are finalized. A few rounds of review and discussion are typically required to finalize a high quality panel.

When you are satisfied with the results, 10x support will finalize the design. You will be able to go to the Xenium Panel Designer tool entry associated with your request to view the final design and download output files.

Xenium Panel Designer leverages NUPACK in the panel design process, which was developed in part with funding from NSF and NIH.