Determining the temporal trajectories of thalamic cellular specification

The thalamus is a highly complex region of the brain, with a multitude of molecularly diverse cell types originating from neural progenitor cells during development in a series of highly temporally and spatially orchestrated events. However, the molecular logic that governs the spatio-temporal lineage trajectories of specification between mature cell types and progenitor cells in the thalamus remains poorly understood. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of transcription factors in specifying neural fate and regulating neural lineage progression in the developing thalamus. Using a combination of high-resolution temporal lineage tracing methods and single-cell multi-omic sequencing techniques, we trace the fate of individual neural progenitor cells and their progeny in vivo, and analysed the gene-regulatory networks underlying neural cell fate decisions. Specifically, we identify key transcription factors and molecular pathways involved in thalamic neurogenesis and neural lineage progression. Therefore, this work provides a comprehensive spatio-temporal and developmental characterization of the mouse thalamus, serving as a foundational dataset for understanding the structure and function of the thalamic system.