# Epigenomic cell-type classification and regulatory element identification in the human brain

> **NIH NIH U01** · SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES · 2020 · $1,791,136

## Abstract

Abstract 
Understanding the exact cell-­type composition in the different regions of the human brain is a fundamental step 
when trying to integrate physiological, behavioral, neurochemical and molecular data. At present, although 
major categories of cell-­types present in the human brain have been defined through a handful of specific 
markers, the different subtypes within these categories as well as their location are far from understood. 
Cytosine DNA methylation (mC) is a stable epigenomic signature that persists in post-­mitotic cells throughout 
their lifetime, defining their cellular identity. Open chromatin marks gene regulatory elements that control cell 
type-­specific gene expression patterns. Single cell DNA methylation and open chromatin profiles have been 
successfully used to identify de novo distinct cell types in heterogeneous tissues including the brain.  This U01 
aims to produce a first version of an epigenomic cell atlas at the single-­cell level across the human brain.  
Multi-­modal integration between epigenomic and transcriptomic signatures will allow the identification of new 
cell types and unique cell-­type markers that will become available to the community. Epigenomic profiling of 
human brain cells permits the discovery of cell type-­specific regulatory regions, which will facilitate the 
functional analysis of genetic variants associated with psychiatric and neurological disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10018649
- **Project number:** 5U01MH121282-02
- **Recipient organization:** SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES
- **Principal Investigator:** MARIA MARGARITA BEHRENS
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,791,136
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-16 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10018649

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10018649, Epigenomic cell-type classification and regulatory element identification in the human brain (5U01MH121282-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10018649. Licensed CC0.

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