Last week, the third edition of The Brain Mosaic: Cellular Heterogeneity in the CNS occurred. Drawing researchers from around the world to exchange ideas and forge collaborations in the intimate setting of Kinepolis cinema. This year's event brought together international experts to discuss a wide range of topics, from neurodevelopment to disease-related changes in the brain. A major focus was the innovative use of omics-based techniques, which are revolutionizing neuroscience by enabling single-cell-level data collection and providing critical insights into the molecular mechanisms driving brain function and disease.
Experts weigh in on the importance of CNS heterogeneity research
Professor Dietmar Thal, head of the Laboratory for Neuropathology at KU Leuven and an organizing committee (OC) member, emphasized the timeliness of the conference, noting that brain research is advancing into areas of spatial and cell-type-specific molecular resolution. “The Brain Mosaic meeting provides cutting-edge methods and findings that allow us to contextualize cellular functions via single-cell omics, histopathological relationships, and pathological sequences. We are at the beginning of a revolution in understanding human biology and disease development.”
OC member Lynette Lim, a VIB group leader, stressed the importance of understanding the diverse neuronal cell types and their functions. “Identifying the roles of individual brain cells is fundamental, especially for understanding how they malfunction in diseases like Alzheimer’s and Autism,” she said. Lim also highlighted the conference’s commitment to diversity, with many female speakers presenting top-tier research.
Lim added that the conference was a hub for creating new collaborations: “With the increasing use of single-cell omics, we're finding rare cell types affected early in diseases, including inhibitory interneurons. I plan to explore collaborations in this area with teams focusing on neurodegeneration, including VIB researchers.”
Insights from featured speakers
Among the high-profile speakers was Aparna Bhaduri from UCLA, who praised the conference for its vibrant discussions and the potential for new collaborations. “It’s fascinating to see the wide range of research on different brain cell types and their implications for development and disease,” she said.
Philip L. De Jager, a researcher from Columbia University, spoke on the importance of studying CNS heterogeneity to tackle critical clinical questions related to brain aging and cognitive decline. “To understand how we lose cognitive performance as we age, we must first understand the function of individual brain cells and how they interact with one another and the pathological features that accumulate over time,” De Jager explained.
Conference reporters highlight key speakers and their takeaways
Four conference reporters covered the meeting live on social media: Noémie De Broeck and Akram Khanghahi of VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology and Annie Wiedmer and Klara Gawor of VIB KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research. Their posts, with the hashtag #BrainMosaic24, can be found on X and LinkedIn. They shared their thoughts on the diverse presentations, highlighting key talks and discussions.
Noémie De Broeck reflected on the impact of several speakers: “The conference was a truly inspiring experience for me. The line-up of speakers was exceptionally well curated, featuring researchers from across the world. Dr. Sarah Marzi’s talk on gene regulatory networks and her excitement about epigenetics resonated with me, as epigenetics is also an area I find fascinating. Dr. Xiaowei Zhuang's captivating work on 3D genome organization and the multimodal MERFISH technique caught my attention — and I'd definitely like to incorporate it into my project. Dr. Stein Aerts’ research on enhancers was equally impactful, as enhancer-promoter interactions are a central part of my project."
De Broeck added that the conference opened her eyes to possibilities she hadn’t previously considered: "I was highly impressed by talks from Dr. Agnete Kirkeby and Dr. Boaz Levi, who showcased therapeutic advancements I had never imagined were possible. Their work pushes the boundaries of what is achievable in neuroscience, and I believe the therapies they are developing will be life-changing for many.”
The speakers similarly inspired Akram Khanghahi: "The standout for me was Boaz Levi. His presentation on advancements in motor neuron research was engaging and highly relevant to my work. He discussed how the Allen Institute created single-cell multiome datasets and identified enhancers for neuronal populations, which has practical applications for understanding motor neuron disorders. It sparked new ideas that I plan to explore in my research."
Khanghahi emphasized the conference's collaborative spirit: "The main takeaway from Brain Mosaic was the emphasis on collaboration. Science moves faster when researchers from different fields and countries work together. I was especially intrigued by the Human Organoid Tumor Transplantation system, which replicates glioblastoma features. This opens new avenues for understanding the disease and developing targeted treatments."
Annie Wiedmer found the public resources shared by the Allen Institute particularly valuable: "The team from the Allen Institute—Ed Lein, Boaz Levi, Casey Schnider-Mizell, and Zizhen Yao—showcased the progress in their mammalian brain atlas and other tools that are freely available to researchers. It’s clear that these resources have the potential to dramatically advance the field, enabling researchers everywhere to explore cellular diversity in unprecedented detail."
Wiedmer was also struck by the community spirit fostered at the conference: "What impressed me most was the sense of community among the researchers. Many had attended previous Brain Mosaic conferences, which shows the commitment to fostering collaboration and data sharing. It's inspiring to see the direction the field is headed and how much potential there is for future discoveries."
Klara Gawor focused on the innovative research in brain cancer presented at the event. “The opening presentation by Sten Linnarsson (Karolinska Institute) on mesenchymal-like cells in glioblastoma and their link to brain hypoxia was eye-opening. The work of Aparna Bhaduri on the connections between brain development and glioblastoma, as well as Michelle Monje’s research on neuron-to-glioma synapses in pediatric glioblastoma, stood out as groundbreaking. These insights will undoubtedly influence future treatment approaches.”
Gawor expressed optimism for the future of neuroscience: "The presentations by researchers like Agnete Kirkeby on stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease were promising and gave me hope for what’s to come. Advances in imaging and computational techniques presented by scientists like Xiaowei Zhuang and Katja Seeliger were equally exciting, as they offered new ways to study and map the brain. The conference inspired me by the vast possibilities for studying the brain and improving human health."
The invaluable role of attending (VIB) Conferences on your scientific career
Lim underscored the value of VIB conferences for promoting new collaborations and exposing researchers to groundbreaking discoveries. “This platform is essential for sharing our work, generating new ideas, and inspiring scientific thinking,” she said. Bhaduri added: "It's an excellent way to learn what's happening in the field, have some honest conversations about what they're seeing and thinking, and, of course, get some exposure for the work we're doing."
The conference closed with Giulia Albertini of the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease being announced as the Nature Neuroscience Poster Prize winner. She presented her work on the Alzheimer’s therapeutic Lecanemab, which induces an amyloid-clearing program in human microglia. Congratulations!
The Brain Mosaic conference has once again proven to be a critical venue for advancing research in neuroscience, fostering collaborations, and inspiring the next generation of scientists. With the rapid evolution of techniques and the growing accessibility of high-resolution datasets, researchers are optimistic about the future of brain research and its potential to unlock new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
We can't wait to see what the future holds!
