A Cellular Taxonomy of the Visual Cortex (VIDEO) Allen Institute This video is under embargo. Please login to access this video. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Caption The mammalian brain is composed of various cell populations that differ based on their molecular, morphological, electrophysiological and functional characteristics. Classifying these cells into types is one of the essential approaches to defining the diversity of brain's building blocks. We created a cellular taxonomy of the mouse primary visual cortex by analyzing gene expression patterns, at the single cell level, of more than 1,600 cells. Using transgenic mice, we isolated fluorescently labeled cells from their brains and then sequenced the transcriptomes of individual cells. To identify the different cell types, we employed an iterative unbiased classification method (cluster analysis) that examined all expressed genes and was blind to the origin of cells. Credit Allen Institute Usage Restrictions Must be posted as originally edited. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.