Mapping the Diversity of Cells in the Mouse Brain: Insights from Single-cell Analysis

Researchers have conducted a single-cell analysis of chromatin accessibility in the adult mouse brain, aiming to understand the cellular and molecular composition of the mammalian brain. By using the single-nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin followed by sequencing (snATAC-seq), they profiled chromatin accessibility at the single-cell resolution across the entire adult mouse brain. The study identified 1,482 brain cell types and annotated 1 million cis-regulatory elements (cCREs) responsible for gene expression patterns in each cell type. The findings provide insights into gene regulation and function in different brain cell types, advancing our understanding of brain development and neurological disorders.