Scientists at Duke-NUS Medical School and partner institutions assembled one of the most complete single-cell maps of the developing human brain. The atlas identifies nearly every cell type, records their genetic signatures, and shows how these cells grow and interact. It also compares leading laboratory methods for producing high-quality neurons, advancing efforts to develop new therapies for Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders.
Parkinson's disease is Singapore's second most common neurodegenerative condition, affecting about three in every 1,000 people aged 50 and above. The disorder harms midbrain dopaminergic neurons, which release dopamine to regulate movement and learning. Restoring these neurons could eventually ease symptoms such as tremors and difficulty with mobility.
To clarify how dopaminergic neurons form in laboratory settings, the team created a two-step mapping approach called BrainSTEM (Brain Single-cell Two tiEr Mapping). In collaboration with partners including the University of Sydney, they profiled nearly 680,000 cells from the fetal brain to chart the full cellular landscape.
A second, higher-resolution projection targets the midbrain with added precision and pinpoints dopaminergic neurons. This "comprehensive reference map" now serves as a global standard for evaluating how accurately midbrain models match real human biology.
Dr. Hilary Toh, an MD-PhD candidate from the Neuroscience & Behavioural Disorders program at Duke-NUS Medical School and one of the first authors of the paper, said:
"Our data-driven blueprint helps scientists produce high-yield midbrain dopaminergic neurons that faithfully reflect human biology. Grafts of this quality are pivotal to increasing cell therapy efficacy and minimizing side effects, paving the way to offer alternative therapies to people living with Parkinson's disease."
