February 19, 2025

Revolutionary Technique Enables Identification of Rare Brain Cell Types

A breakthrough technique has been developed by researchers at Rockefeller University, enabling the identification of rare cell types in the brain for the first time. This innovative method, known as EasySci, is a low-cost, high-throughput approach that involves scanning an entire mouse brain and capturing 1.5 million cells. By utilizing single-cell sequencing, EasySci can reveal the identity of every cell entered into the system, providing insights into cell populations and dynamics specific to different ages and diseases like Alzheimer’s. The technique also significantly reduces costs and time, making it more accessible for researchers.

Traditionally, studying rare cell types in the brain has been challenging due to the complex nature of the organ. Most analyses rely on small sections from select areas of the brain, resulting in limited understanding of its molecular totality. However, recent advances in single-cell sequencing have made it possible to explore cell dynamics and find rare cells. While scanning an entire human brain using single-cell sequencing is still not feasible, the mouse brain serves as a suitable model for testing the potential of this technology.

The research team used a method called combinatorial indexing to reveal more about these rare brain cells and their dynamics. By attaching ID tags to different molecules, each molecule had a unique barcode, allowing the researchers to identify and tally the number of different cell types. The study involved analyzing various types of brains, including young, adult, and aged mouse brains, as well as mouse brains with neural degeneration resembling Alzheimer’s disease. Samples from human brains, both normal and with Alzheimer’s disease, were also studied.

Through the scanning of over 1.5 million cells, the researchers identified 31 cell types and 359 subtypes in the mouse brain. Interestingly, nearly one-third of these subtypes had never been reported before. The team discovered variations in cell types, even within the same region of the brain. For example, star-shaped astrocyte cells in one brain region were found to be different from astrocytes in another area. The most common cells identified were cerebellum granule neurons, while the rarest were inferior olivary nucleus neurons.

In addition to identifying rare cell types, the study also shed light on changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers observed the loss of a rare subtype of choroid plexus epithelial cells, which are key components of the blood-brain barrier. These cells secrete cerebrospinal fluid and are associated with genes that protect against neurodegeneration and Tau proteins. The study also documented changes in 20 cell subtypes, some of which had not been observed in specific brain regions before.

The EasySci technique has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of brain-related diseases and aging processes. Unlike conventional techniques, EasySci can identify thousands of molecular biomarkers of disease inside each cell, providing a more comprehensive view of cellular changes. In future studies, the research team plans to scan mixed tissues and multiple brains from diverse patients in a single experiment. Furthermore, they aim to improve EasySci’s throughput power to scan tens of millions of cells at once.

Although this breakthrough holds tremendous promise, there are still challenges to overcome, especially when applying the technique to the human brain. The human brain is estimated to have around 170 billion cells, requiring the development of new techniques to handle such complexity. However, the researchers are optimistic that continued advancements in EasySci will enable critical insights into cellular changes associated with aging and Alzheimer’s disease. The potential for this technique to revolutionize brain analysis and disease intervention is vast, opening up new avenues of research and treatment options.

*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it

Money Singh
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Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. 

Money Singh

Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. 

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