Developing human brain atlas released after broad international collaboration.

Researchers compiled data from nearly 200 studies and more than 30 million cells to build an open-access, high-resolution atlas of the developing human neocortex.

Johns Hopkins researchers and an international team have compiled a high-resolution atlas of the developing human neocortex. They combined data from nearly 200 published studies and more than 30 million individual cells. The work includes comparable mammal and mouse models and is published in Nature and Nature Neuroscience. The datasets and tools are available through an open-access web portal and were supported in part by federal and international research grants. Key facts: - The project aggregated data from nearly 200 studies and over 30 million cells to map development of the human neocortex. - Separate mammal and mouse atlases were produced to compare gene expression programs across species. - The results are published in Nature and Nature Neuroscience and provided via an open-access web portal. - The portal allows users without coding expertise to explore gene expression patterns, gene modules, and to contribute data. - Funding sources cited include NIH grants, the NIDCD/NIH Intramural Research Program, a PTE federal award, international awards, and a Johns Hopkins University Discovery Award. Summary: The atlas provides a detailed cellular map intended to help researchers study gene programs and developmental stages linked to conditions such as autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease. The work highlights extended timelines of human neuronal maturation compared with other species and offers tools to examine conserved and human-specific features. Authors report that the resource is meant to support further research and to encourage additional academic and industry partners to expand the data and its applications.