Human Cerebral Cortex Development

The Walsh Lab uses spatial transcriptomics, a technique that maps gene activity while preserving a cell’s location, to create a high-resolution atlas of the developing human cerebral cortex. We found that its layered structure emerges much earlier than previously thought and that different brain areas form through distinct patterns—some gradually, others with sharper boundaries. These findings reshape our understanding of how the cortex is built and provide a foundation for studying neurodevelopmental disorders linked to disrupted brain organization.