Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Transcriptome-scale spatial gene expression in the human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Kristen R. Maynard, Leonardo Collado‐Torres, Lukas M. Weber, Cedric R. Uytingco, Brianna K. Barry, Stephen R. Williams, Joseph Catallini, Matthew N. Tran, Zachary Besich, Madhavi Tippani, Jennifer Chew, Yifeng Yin, Joel E. Kleinman, Thomas M. Hyde, Nikhil Rao, Stephanie C. Hicks, Keri Martinowich, Andrew E. Jaffe

Nature Neuroscience · 2021

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Summary

This 2021 Nature Neuroscience study presents a high-resolution spatial transcriptomics resource characterising gene expression patterns across the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the human brain. The authors mapped transcriptome-scale expression at single-cell or near-single-cell resolution whilst preserving spatial information, revealing cell-type-specific and laminar-specific transcriptional organisation. As suggested by the study design, this work establishes a foundational reference dataset for understanding the molecular architecture of a key human brain region implicated in higher cognition.

UK applicability

This is a fundamental neuroscience resource rather than applied agricultural or nutritional research, and does not directly address UK farming systems or food-related health outcomes. However, the methodological advances in spatial transcriptomics may inform future research on how dietary factors affect brain cell-type-specific gene expression.

Key measures

Spatial gene expression profiles, cell-type clustering, layer-specific transcriptional signatures in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Outcomes reported

The study mapped transcriptome-scale spatial gene expression patterns across the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex using high-resolution spatial transcriptomics. The work characterised cell-type-specific and layer-specific gene expression signatures in this brain region.

Theme
General food systems / other
Subject
Other / interdisciplinary
Study type
Research
Study design
Observational study with spatial transcriptomics methodology
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United States
System type
Laboratory / in vitro
DOI
10.1038/s41593-020-00787-0
Catalogue ID
SNmohdwgm4-1faepg

Topic tags

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