How genes shape connections between the brain's cortex and thalamus
Official title: Revealing the transcriptional basis of corticothalamic projections using in situ sequence-based neuroanatomy
Funded at Allen Institute · NIH-11226580 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project maps which genes are linked to long-distance connections between brain regions in adults to improve understanding of how the adult brain is wired.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Allen Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | November 15, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $632,308 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133181-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11226580 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults (21+) willing to contribute brain tissue or other biological samples for research on cortical wiring.
✕Less likely to help
People looking for a direct clinical treatment or immediate personal health benefit should not expect to receive one from this basic research project.
What this research studies
If you choose to contribute samples, researchers will use new sequencing methods that read RNA inside brain tissue to see which genes are active in individual neurons. They will tag or "barcode" neurons so they can also trace where each neuron sends long-range connections across the cortex and to the thalamus. By reading hundreds of genes and mapping projections within the same cells, the team aims to link gene activity to wiring patterns across adult cortical areas. This detailed map could help scientists understand the cellular building blocks of brain circuits relevant to neurological conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal gene-to-connection relationships that guide future research into diagnosis or treatments for brain disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Related mapping studies in animal models have successfully linked gene expression to projection patterns, but applying high-throughput in situ sequencing across large adult cortical areas is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Allen Institute
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Xiaoyin — Allen Institute
- Study coordinator: Chen, Xiaoyin
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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.