2024-01-10 07:58:11
After research that took 6 years and examined more than 32 million cells, scientists were able to achieve an amazing achievement by creating the first comprehensive cellular map of the mammalian brain. This work was detailed in 10 research papers published in the scientific journal Nature, where a group of researchers revealed a comprehensive atlas that precisely identifies the location and type of every cell in the brain of an adult mouse. By taking advantage of advanced techniques that characterize individual cells, the research team was able to identify 5,300 cell types.
Obtaining a comprehensive, detailed list of all the components of the brain and its constituent cells will contribute to accelerating the discovery of all the brain’s vital functions and how it develops and grows, according to what was indicated by Dr. Hong Kui Zeng, Executive Vice President and Director of the Allen Institute for Brain Sciences. This historic achievement serves as a reference genome map for studying gene function, and the cellular map will open wide doors for neuroscientists in both understanding, diagnosing and treating diseases.
And it connects the study Between genetics and brain geography by combining single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. The researchers revealed the amazing complexity and great diversity of the brain, and highlighted the profound relationship between a cell’s genetic identity and its location in the brain.
An image from the Allen Institute showing a classification of different cells in the mouse brain and the contribution of their genetic characteristics to their classification and distribution
The study indicates that there is a distinct cellular organization between the lower (ventral) and upper (dorsal) parts of the brain, such that the older lower part is characterized by a mosaic of interconnected cells, while the newer upper part contains fewer but very different cell types. Zeng suggests that this distinction might be key to deciphering how different brain regions evolve to perform unique tasks.
Scientific research confirms several points, including the role of transcription factors and the role of proteins in regulating gene activity, as they are a symbol that determines the identity of the cell. There was also the discovery of the diversity of signaling molecules that facilitate communication between cells, allowing complex interactions between different cell types.
The map serves as a model and reference for drawing similar maps of the brains of other living creatures, including humans. It also provides a comprehensive guide to monitoring specific types of cells, which contributes significantly to reducing the incidence of some genetic diseases and treating them more accurately and efficiently.
The research team also co-led a study to map the neurons that connect the brain to the spinal cord, providing insight into movement and sensory perception. The map helps reveal how spinal cord injuries and stroke change nerve cells, contributing to the development of crucial treatments in the near future.
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