Molecular atlas of the adult mouse brain

• Brain maps are essential for integrating information and interpreting the structure-function relationship of circuits and behavior. We aimed to generate a systematic classification of the adult mouse brain organization based on unbiased extraction of spatially-defining features. Applying whole-brain spatial transcriptomics, we captured the gene expression signatures to define the spatial organization of molecularly discrete subregions. We found that the molecular code contained sufficiently detailed information to directly deduce the complex spatial organization of the brain. This unsupervised molecular classification revealed new area- and layer-specific subregions, for example in isocortex and hippocampus, and a new division of striatum. The whole-brain molecular atlas further supports the identification of the spatial origin of single neurons using their gene expression profile, and forms the foundation to define a minimal gene set - a brain palette – that is sufficient to spatially annotate the adult brain. In summary, we have established a new molecular atlas to formally define the identity of brain regions, and a molecular code for mapping and targeting of discrete neuroanatomical domains.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Industriell bioteknik -- Medicinsk bioteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Industrial Biotechnology -- Medical Biotechnology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

spatial transcriptomics

neuroscience

brain

mouse

3D

atlas

transcriptomics

single cell RNA-seq

Bioteknologi

Biotechnology

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)