Researchers Develop RNA Barcode Technique to Map Brain Connectivity

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:53:00 +0200

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created a novel method to map brain connectivity using RNA barcodes. This approach, called Connectome-seq, assigns unique RNA barcodes to individual neurons. These barcodes are transported to synapses, the junctions between neurons, allowing researchers to identify precise neuronal connections through sequencing. Unlike traditional brain mapping techniques, which are slow and labor-intensive, Connectome-seq enables high-throughput mapping of thousands of neurons at single-synapse resolution. In studies on mice, this method revealed previously unknown neural connections within the pontocerebellar circuit, highlighting the complexity of brain networks. The technique has significant potential for advancing research into neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, as it could identify early changes in neural circuits and pinpoint vulnerable regions before symptoms appear. The researchers hope to scale the method to map the