Comprehensive single-cell atlas of the developing mouse brain
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-11385416 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large multi-year project at Harvard to map every cell type and lineage in the developing mouse brain using advanced single-cell and spatial technologies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $6,255,654 |
| NIH project number | 5U01MH130962-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385416 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable for direct patient participation since this is a mouse brain development atlas; results may benefit researchers studying human brain development and disease.
✕Less likely to help
There are no direct patient participation or immediate clinical benefits from participating in this specific project.
What this research studies
This project will create a detailed, cell-by-cell map of how the mouse brain develops from embryonic stages through early postnatal life, linking cell types to their adult counterparts. Researchers will integrate multiple cutting-edge techniques to profile gene activity and chromatin accessibility, and to place cells in their precise spatial context. The work aims to enhance our understanding of brain development and provide a valuable reference for studies of human brain growth and disease. While the study uses mouse tissue, its findings could inform how human brain cells develop and organize over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: It could accelerate understanding of brain development and improve classification of brain cell types, which may inform future studies on neurodevelopmental disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other comprehensive brain atlases have successfully mapped cell types and lineages, supporting the feasibility of this approach in developing tissue.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arlotta, Paola — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Arlotta, Paola
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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.