A Chinese-led international research team has unveiled groundbreaking advancements in brain mapping, publishing 10 landmark studies in prestigious journals including Cell and Neuron. The work represents a major leap in understanding neural networks across species, from reptiles to primates, using cutting-edge AI and spatial transcriptomics.
The mesoscale brain atlases developed by the team enable single-cell resolution mapping of neural connections, offering unprecedented insights into perception, memory, and decision-making mechanisms. "Our primate brain analyses reveal complexities far beyond rodent models," said Muming Poo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' CEBSIT, emphasizing the significance for studying brain disorders.
Key technological innovations include submicron-resolution imaging of neuronal connections and high-throughput 3D axon reconstructions – achievements Sun Yangang of CEBSIT attributes to China's growing leadership in neurotechnologies. The research involved over 300 scientists from 15 institutions across China, France, Sweden, and the UK.
With datasets equivalent to 50 million smartphone photos in volume, the project highlights both the challenges and potential of global scientific collaboration. Researchers emphasize these atlases could accelerate medical breakthroughs while deepening our understanding of brain evolution across species.
