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 Insights - A significant collaborative research effort involving over 300 scientists from more than 30 institutions has published 10 papers on brain mapping in top-tier journals such as Cell and its sub-journals [2][3] Group 1: Research Findings - The studies reveal various cell types and their connections in the brains of mice and primates, with a notable cover image depicting a macaque gazing at a starry universe, symbolizing the brain's complexity [5] - The first multimodal atlas of the macaque claustrum has been created, identifying 48 cell types through single-nucleus RNA sequencing, highlighting the unique cell types in macaques compared to other species [6][7] - The research integrates single-cell transcriptomics, spatial data, and connectivity analysis, providing a comprehensive understanding of the claustrum's role as an "information hub" in the brain [8] Group 2: Methodological Innovations - A new high-speed imaging technique has been developed for whole-mouse peripheral nerves at subcellular resolution, allowing for unprecedented 3D mapping of the peripheral nervous system [16][20] - This technique enables the visualization of sensory and motor projections, revealing intricate structural features and pathways of the vagus nerve [20][21] Group 3: Implications for Future Research - The identification of cell type-specific enhancers in the macaque brain offers new tools for monitoring and manipulating neuronal activity, advancing the understanding of primate brain structure and cognitive principles [24][28] - The advancements in brain mapping technologies are expected to facilitate research into brain diseases and inspire developments in artificial intelligence systems [30]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a groundbreaking study that establishes a set of tools for cell type-specific targeting and manipulation of neuronal activity in the primate brain, which is crucial for understanding brain structure, cognition, and diseases [3][4]. Group 1: Research Findings - The research team identified a large number of enhancers that drive gene expression in specific cell types within the macaque brain through single-cell RNA and ATAC sequencing [4]. - These enhancers were successfully used in adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to target various excitatory and inhibitory neuron subtypes, as well as glial cell subtypes in the macaque brain [4][6]. - The study highlights evolutionary differences in brain cis-regulatory elements (CRE), as some enhancers in macaques are conserved across species, while layer-specific enhancers do not mark neurons in mice [4]. Group 2: Methodology and Tools - The research utilized a dual-enhancer orthogonal approach to enhance targeting precision [6]. - A comprehensive toolkit for cell type-specific enhancers-AAV was developed for primate studies, enabling specific manipulation and monitoring of neuronal activity in the macaque visual cortex [6][8]. - The study validated these enhancers-AAV by monitoring and manipulating the activity of the macaque visual cortex, providing valuable tools for dissecting primate neural circuit functions [8].