Comparing early brain cell types that shape the cortex across species
Comparative Genomics of Precursor Diversity and Function
This project compares early brain cells from mice, monkeys, chimps, and humans to learn how human neocortex growth and special features develop.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11302963 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work looks at the different kinds of precursor cells that build the brain’s outer layer (the neocortex) using existing tissue samples from mice, macaques, chimpanzees, and humans. Researchers will use single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing and new molecular labeling tools to read gene activity and link it to cell behavior. A special focus is on basal radial glial cells, a precursor type thought to help primate brain expansion, and the team will compare groups of these cells across species. Results aim to map which genes and cell behaviors are unique or shared, to explain how brains grow differently in different species.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll people; it uses archived brain tissue from humans and other species rather than recruiting patients.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate treatments for a brain disorder are unlikely to gain direct or immediate benefit from this basic research project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of how the human brain develops and point to mechanisms relevant to developmental brain disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Related single-cell and comparative genomic studies have successfully mapped many brain cell types, but applying these tools across species with a focus on basal radial glia is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haydar, Tarik F — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Haydar, Tarik F
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.