Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet have produced an atlas detailing the early genetic development of the brain from weeks 6 to 13 of embryonic growth. This groundbreaking work provides a comprehensive overview of gene regulation across various brain regions, surpassing previous studies that primarily focused on the cortex.
The atlas is anticipated to facilitate the understanding of developmental abnormalities leading to pediatric brain tumors and may contribute to the development of targeted therapies. Furthermore, this study is part of the broader “Human Developmental Cell Atlas” initiative, which seeks to map the genetic development of different organs.
Key Highlights:
Thorough Brain Mapping: The atlas offers a detailed mapping of gene expression and cellular development in the brain during early embryonic stages.
Potential Clinical Implications: Insights gained from this atlas are being utilized to investigate and comprehend the origins of brain cancer in children, potentially paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches.
Collaborative Research Endeavor: This research forms part of a larger collaborative effort, funded by prominent organizations, aimed at creating comprehensive cellular atlases for multiple organs, thereby enhancing our understanding of human development and diseases.
(Source: Karolinska Institute)
In a publication in the journal Nature, scientists from the Karolinska Institutet present an atlas detailing the early stages of brain development.
The atlas holds promise for identifying the underlying causes of brain tumors in children and exploring new treatment avenues.
An international team of researchers led by the Karolinska Institutet has mapped the early genetic development of the brain, culminating in an atlas covering embryonic development from weeks 6 to 13.
“This represents the first extensive study of brain development with a focus on gene regulation. Previous studies have predominantly concentrated on the cortex. Our research offers a systematic mapping of the entire brain, allowing for comparisons across all regions,” explains Sten Linnarsson, Professor of Molecular Systems Biology at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Karolinska Institutet and leader of the study.
During the initial stages of embryonic brain development, the brain begins as a tube-like structure, with the tube’s walls destined to form the brain, while the fluid-filled center becomes the brain’s ventricles.
Between weeks 6 and 13 of pregnancy, there is a rapid specialization of cells within the tube’s walls, driven by a complex cascade of molecular signals. These signals induce the differentiation of cells into distinct types, each secreting additional signals to orchestrate subsequent stages of development.
“Our research delves into this intricate process of brain formation, tracking the activation of genes from DNA to RNA to proteins at each stage,” adds Sten Linnarsson.
The study employed a method capable of measuring both active DNA regions and formed RNA strands in individual cells. By integrating these data, the researchers constructed a comprehensive map of brain development.
This research forms part of the larger Swedish initiative “Human Developmental Cell Atlas,” where multiple research groups investigate the genetic development of various organs, including the brain, heart, and lungs. Utilizing these atlases, researchers aim to unravel the mechanisms underlying diseases.
“We are currently investigating the onset of brain cancer in children. Although rare, pediatric brain cancer is among the leading causes of death in children. By studying tumors that emerge during embryonic brain development and leveraging the atlas, we seek to decipher the aberrant developmental processes driving tumor formation and growth,” elaborates Sten Linnarsson.
Funding: The study received funding from the Erling-Persson Family Foundation, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, and EC Horizon 2020. Sten Linnarsson serves as a scientific advisor to Moleculent, Combigene, and the Oslo University Center of Excellence in Immunotherapy. He and first author Camiel Mannens are also shareholders in EEL Transcriptomics AB, which holds the intellectual property rights to EEL-FISH.
