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Cell Types – Transcriptomics, Morphology, & Electrophysiology

Explains cell types as defined by transcriptomic, morphological, and electrophysiological data.

About this resource: 

This is a slide deck focused on cell types with transcriptomic, morphological, and electrophysiological data. The slide deck with the corresponding online lab activity can be taught in full (estimated time 4 hours) or grab individual slides to enhance your current material. These slides are meant to build off  your standard neuron morphology, electrophysiology, and transcriptomic lessons to introduce your students to modern neuroscience research. You are encouraged to grab all or some slides, and customize them to best fit your lectures.  

Students are also guided through our scientific tool, Cell Type Knowledge Explorer, and mimic how scientists use these tools with online lab activity. For students who want to further enhance their research, there is a corresponding independent student research guide. 

Audience: introductory to advanced college-level neuroscience students

Mode of instruction: suitable for remote, hybrid, or in-person instruction 

Base Lesson: Cell Types & Transcriptomics
PowerPoint file of the cell types & transcriptomics lecture material
Extension 1: Morphology
PowerPoint file of the morphology lecture material
Extension 2: Electrophysiology
PowerPoint file of the electrophysiology lecture material
Full Slide Deck
PowerPoint file of the base lesson plus all extensions
Instructor Guide
Overview, slide notes, exam questions
Instructor Webinar
Online video to give background information on the slide deck for the instructors
Independent Student Research Guide
For students who want to do independent research using our Cell Type Knowledge Explorer
Independent Student Research Webinar
Accompanying webinar for the independent student research guide
Cell Type Knowledge Explorer sunburst plot

Cell Type Knowlege Explorer

Scientific tool showing cell census and atlas of primary motor cortex, used in these lesson
Plotted visualization of mouse brain cell types

Unraveling Complexity of the Mammalian Brain

News story summarizing our 2023 Nature paper

This lesson was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U24NS133077. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Science Programs at Allen Institute