Deciphering Biological Function Difference Between MO::L1 and MO::L2/3 in Mouse Brain from Spatial Transcriptomics Data

Parsing brain structure is crucial in neuroscience research, and the advent of spatial transcriptomics offers unprecedented molecular opportunities. In this study, we utilized 10X Visium spatial transcriptomics to analyze the mouse hindbrain, focusing on the MO::L1 and MO::L2/3 regions. By integrating artificial priors with the SpaceFlow method, we identified spatial organization and conducted differential gene expression analysis. Key findings include the identification of TGF-beta and Hippo signaling pathways, crucial for neurodevelopment and injury repair. Our results highlight the roles of differentially expressed genes in developmental processes, cellular regulation, and signaling pathways, providing insights into brain region functions. Additionally, we discuss current research gaps, suggesting that future studies should explore dynamic gene expression changes and leverage advanced computational models to enhance our understanding of the nervous system, thereby advancing precision medicine.