Dissecting the Alzheimer’s brain: from disease single cells to cellular communities

Lecture
Date:
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Hour: 12:30 - 13:30
Location:
Prof. Naomi Habib
|
Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most pressing global medical issues to date with no effective therapeutic strategies. Despite extensive research much remains unknown regarding the crosstalk between brain cells and the role of non-neuronal cells in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We use single nucleus RNA-sequencing and machine learning algorithms to build detailed cellular maps of mice and human brain and to follow molecular changes in each cell type along disease progression. Our maps revealed new disease associated states in glia cells as well as unique multi-cellular communities linked to AD. Specifically, we found a link between populations of disease-associated astrocytes (DAAs), microglia, oligodendrocytes and GABAergic neurons to AD related traits in mouse models and in post-mortem human brains. Expanding the data analysis across multiple cell types, we found co-occurrences of cellular populations across individuals, which we define as multi-cellular communities. Among these communities we discovered a unique cellular community linked to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease pathology. These new insights are shaping our understanding of the unique cellular environment of the Alzheimer’s disease brains. Zoom link to join: https://weizmann.zoom.us/j/96608033618?pwd=SEdJUkR2ZzRBZ3laUUdGbWR1VFJTdz09 Meeting ID: 966 0803 3618 Password: 564068 Host: Dr. Rita Schmidt rita.schmidt@weizmann.ac.il tel: 9070