Project description
Molecular atlas of the brain in the Human Cell Atlas initiative
The goal of the EU-funded BRAINTIME project is to contribute to the Human Cell Atlas initiative by delivering major new data-sets on human brain development and ageing. World-leading international laboratories in the field of single-cell genomics and multi-omics will collaborate on this project. Researchers will analyse the developing human midbrain and hindbrain to generate an atlas of monoaminergic cell populations in both healthy brain and in neurodegenerative cases. They will embed the new cell type maps into 3D contexts and temporal developmental models. BRAINTIME will establish protocols and algorithms to allow flexible model testing and perturbation analysis on midbrain and hindbrain tissues as well as brain tissue analysis at single-cell level, that can be used to probe other brain regions and other human tissues.
Objective
BRAINTIME brings together six laboratories that are international leaders in the field of single-cell genomics with the aim to apply their knowledge and expertise to understand the human brain. In BRAINTIME, we will: (1) Perform a comprehensive multi-omic analysis of the developing human midbrain and hindbrain to generate an atlas of key monoaminergic cell populations in healthy adulthood, ageing and neurodegenerative disease; (2) Embed our new cell type maps into 3D contexts and temporal developmental models by integrating new approaches for computational modelling, cell fate tracking, spatial analysis and capturing cell-cell interactions; (3) Establish single-cell genomics-empowered ex-vivo protocols and standardized ex-vivo/in-vivo projection algorithms to allow flexible model testing and perturbation analysis on midbrain and hindbrain tissues; (4) Establish an effective and sustainable technological and analytical pipeline for the analysis of brain tissue at the single-cell level that can be used by the community to probe other brain regions or states and be extended to other human tissues. Achieving these objectives will significantly advance the Human Cell Atlas initiative by contributing major new datasets on human brain development and ageing, and ensure a key role for European labs in the global effort. Through the US partner (Ed Lein / Allen Institute), a crucial connection to the NIH BRAIN initiative will be ensured, including access to significant computational and atlasing resources. Through the SME partner (CartaNA), we gain access to cutting edge in-situ sequencing methods and support the fledgling European biotech industry in the single-cell field.
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RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
17177 Stockholm
Sweden