Excited to share our recent study on human-specific features of the cerebellum and the unexpected, novel role of zona pellucida protein 2 (ZP2) in synapse development. Grateful to the Sestan lab and all our collaborators for their outstanding contributions. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

beautiful work and congrats to you and the team!

Excited to share our latest work, Mato-Blanco et al., nature.com/articles/s41.... Thanks to the incredible collaboration with Nicola Micali, Rakic lab, Sestan lab, Vaccarino lab
@yaleneuro.bsky.social @santperelab.bsky.social @carlocolantuoni.bsky.social

Check out our extended discussion provided in the supplemental files where we address the limitations and implications of the MIND model and delve into the concepts introduced in our paper in extensive (and possibly overwhelming) detail

Our findings have implications for understanding:
- Cortical arealization
- Evolution of transmodal networks
- Vulnerability to neurodevelopmental disorders

This model is supported by observational and experimental evidence in chicken, opossum, mouse, macaque, and human datasets. We utilize developmental transcriptomics, in-vivo genetic models, viral circuit tracing, histology and more

Through these inductive and exclusionary processes, a spatial topography and network topology emerge in which primary locally connected sensorimotor areas arise as focal “islands” embedded within a broader “ocean” of interconnected distributed association cortex

Our findings support the view that, during fetal development, the emerging induced association and sensorimotor programs engage in an exclusive competitive interplay for neocortical territory, eventually specifying the S-A axis

- Association programs emerge at fronto-temporal (F–T) poles and progress along F–T trajectories
- Sensorimotor programs are induced by first order thalamocortical inputs
- These programs are impart key molecular and network characteristics of association and sensorimotor areas, respectively

We present the MIND model — Multinodal Induction–Exclusion in Network Development — in which S–A patterning is regulated by fronto-temporal “association” and central “sensorimotor” transcriptional identity programs.

Thrilled to present MIND!

A model for how the sensorimotor–association axis of the neocortex develops.

Huge thanks to the incredible multidisciplinary team who made this happen.

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...