Cell Reports July, 2022 by Lieke L. van de Haar et al.
Molecular signatures and cellular diversity during mouse habenula development

The authors performed SORT-seq on mouse habenular neurons at critical developmental stages, instructed by detailed 3D anatomical data. The data reveal cellular and molecular trajectories during embryonic and postnatal development, leading to different habenular subtypes. Among these, the Cartpt+ neuron subtype was studied in-depth and successfully linked to specific molecular and functional properties.

Nutrients May, 2022 by Amber Berdenis van Berlekom et al.
Exposure to the Amino Acids Histidine, Lysine, and Threonine Reduces mTOR Activity and Affects Neurodevelopment in a Human Cerebral Organoid Model

The authors pioneered the use of human cerebral organoids to investigate the impact of amino acid supplementation on neurodevelopment. RNA sequencing identified gene expression changes after supplementation, with enrichment in genes related to mTOR signaling and immune function, a.o., and to specific cell types, including proliferative precursor cells, microglia, and astrocytes.

Viruses April, 2022 by Stephanie B.H. Gumbs et al.
Characterization of HIV-1 Infection in Microglia-Containing Human Cerebral Organoids

Gumbs et al. study the molecular mechanisms of HIV entry into central nervous system organoids and identify microglia as the primary target cell. Single-cell RNA sequencing confirmed the presence of microglia, among other cell types, and HIV-entry receptor expression in brain organoids.

Nature Communications February, 2022 by Vanessa Donega et al.
Single-cell profiling of human subventricular zone progenitors identifies SFRP1 as a target to re-activate progenitors

Progenitors of the adult brain’s subventricular zone remain mostly in a quiescent state. The mechanisms that regulate this quiescent state are still unclear. Here, the authors isolate progenitors for SORT-seq analysis, which revealed their identity as late oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. Then, they revealed the Wnt pathway antagonist SFRP1 as a possible signal that promotes the quiescence of progenitors.

BioRxiv February, 2022 by Nefeli Kavaka-Georgiadou et al.
Single-cell analysis reveals cellular heterogeneity and molecular determinants of hypothalamic leptin-receptor cells

The authors equiped SORT-seq to illuminate the multi-functional nature of satiety hormone leptin’s action in the hypothalamus. In specific, with single-cell transcriptome analysis of mouse leptin receptor cells, they identified eight neuronal clusters. These include three uncharacterized subpopulations, several that were affected by food restriction, and several that could be linked to obesitas-related genes.

Nature Communications December, 2021 by Mergim Ramosaj et al.
Lipid droplet availability affects neural stem/progenitor cell metabolism and proliferation

This paper investigates the role of lipid droples in the regulation of neural stem/progenitor cells. Using SORT-seq among other techniques, the authors show that lipid droplets are highly abundant in adult mouse neural stem/progenitor cells, and suggest that lipid droplet levels influence their metabolism and cell fate.