Scientists map entire adult fish body at single-cell level
Whitehead Institute researchers created the first comprehensive map of every cell in an adult vertebrate using a tiny transparent fish.
The team profiled over six hundred thousand cells to build a detailed reference of gene activity across the entire animal body. This new resource reveals how different tissues coordinate their responses and influence one another during development and aging.
Mapping cells and their regional identities showed that neurons from the same region share similar patterns even when they use different neurotransmitters to communicate with each other. Similar findings occur in mammals, indicating regional identity is a key organizing feature of nervous systems.
The new data indicates adult cells keep a molecular record of their specific location within the organism. Connective tissue cells maintained activity patterns usually linked to forming distinct body parts early in life.
Researchers used this new map as a guide for studying the fish remarkable regenerative abilities after injuring the forebrain region. The team made the atlas publicly available through DigiFish helping scientists identify specific cells and genes to study.