Core Insights - Chinese scientists have made significant progress in brain mapping research, with 10 studies published in international journals, including "Cell" and "Neuron," showcasing advancements in understanding brain structure and function [1][2][3] Group 1: Research Achievements - The "Whole Brain Mesoscopic Neural Connectivity Atlas" project aims to create detailed brain maps of non-human primates and humans, addressing the complexity of mammalian brains, which contain nearly 100 billion neurons and over 100 trillion connections [2][3] - A team of over 300 researchers from more than 30 institutions has successfully completed studies that analyze brain cell diversity, connectivity patterns, and molecular mechanisms of brain diseases, enhancing China's international influence in this field [2][3][6] - The research includes the first high-resolution evolutionary atlas of 1.3 million brain cells from various species, revealing key gene evolution related to differences in brain cell types across species [3][12] Group 2: Technological Innovations - The development of specific genetic tools for primate brain research allows for precise delivery of functional proteins to targeted cells, potentially enabling targeted therapies for brain diseases [4][5][25] - A new collection of tools for specific labeling and observation of primate brain cells has been established, marking a significant advancement in understanding brain structure and diseases [4][25][30] Group 3: Collaborative Efforts - The establishment of the "International Primate Mesoscopic Brain Atlas Alliance" aims to enhance global collaboration in brain mapping research, with a focus on creating a shared database for brain atlas data [9][32] - The research integrates contributions from various international institutions, highlighting the collaborative nature of modern neuroscience research [9][32] Group 4: Future Directions - The goal is to complete the mesoscopic neural connectivity atlas for mice by 2025 and for macaques by 2035, indicating a long-term commitment to advancing brain mapping technologies [8][9] - Continued development of imaging and labeling technologies is essential for achieving high-quality brain maps, which are crucial for understanding complex brain functions [14][15]

Core Viewpoint - Recent collaborative achievements by Chinese scientists have created a "high-definition map" of the brain, marking significant progress in the "whole brain mesoscopic neural connectivity map" scientific initiative, which aims to understand brain structure and function across various species, including primates and humans [1][5][6]. Group 1: Scientific Achievements - A series of ten research papers were published in prestigious journals, showcasing the collaborative efforts of over 300 researchers from more than 30 institutions, both domestic and international [1][6]. - The research covers key species including reptiles, birds, rodents, non-human primates, and humans, integrating multimodal data such as transcriptomics and connectomics [9]. - The results aim to establish a research framework that transitions from structural analysis to functional understanding of the brain, providing new perspectives and methodologies for brain research [9]. Group 2: Research Goals and Timeline - The initiative aims to complete the mesoscopic neural connectivity map for mice by 2025 and for macaques by 2035, focusing on non-human primates and human brain mapping [6][7]. - An international alliance for mesoscopic brain mapping research is being formed, with participation from over 20 countries and nearly 100 scientists, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration [7][8]. Group 3: Technical Challenges and Innovations - The research involves identifying various cell types and their connections, requiring high-resolution imaging at the micrometer level to understand the network structure of the brain [8][11]. - New technologies have been developed to enhance the tracking of specific cell types and their connections, marking a significant advancement in primate brain science [9][10]. - The complexity of tracking individual neurons necessitates extensive collaboration and time investment, highlighting the challenges faced in this field [10][11].