Decoding the brain: Unveiling comprehensive cellular atlases through multiomics mega-data

The pursuit to comprehend the intricate nature of the brain, an organ of unparalleled complexity, remains a persistent endeavor in the field of neuroscience.1 Recent strides by the National Institutes of Health’s BRAIN Initiative – Cell Census Network (BICCN) have yielded comprehensive cellular atlases for mice and humans,2,3 published in Nature and Science, respectively. Additionally, a 3D cell-type atlas of the macaque brain, contributed by Cell, offers profound insights into non-human primate cortical intricacies.4 These collaborative initiatives, driven by the US’s BICCN and China’s Brain Project, represent a significant leap forward in unraveling the cellular intricacies of the brain, culminating in groundbreaking exploration across mice, non-human primates, and humans. The confluence of these works serves to elucidate the intricate cellular landscapes of the brain through a multiomics approach, signifying a pivotal advancement in neuroscience research toward comprehensive understanding and collaborative exploration (Figure 1).