Scientific and Public Outreach on Cell Types and Taxonomies (SPOCTT) 2.0 - Project Summary The combination of single cell and spatial transcriptomics have revolutionized brain cell type classification, enabling scientists to identify the molecular signatures and spatial locations of nearly every mouse brain cell type, with progress on human and other primates underway. Cells classified by genes exhibit consistent shapes, electrical properties, chromatin accessibility, and projections, moving us closer to multimodal cell type definitions. However, this progress also introduces data integration challenges, as well as a steep learning curve for new users. To address these issues, the Allen Institute has developed high-quality reference data sets and web tools. The Cell Type Knowledge Explorer (CTKE) supports exploration of multimodal properties of individual cell types in motor cortex across species. The Allen Brain Cell (ABC) Atlas enables users to explore gene expression and spatial locations of cell types in human and whole mouse brain. MapMyCells allows users to compare their data with Allen Institute data to align cell type names. Development is now underway on a single Brain Knowledge Explorer (BKE), which integrates existing and future resources with a powerful data platform and new generative AI technology, allowing scientists to better apply our data and taxonomies to generate their own insights. To enable users at various career and learning stages to not only access, but also successfully utilize, open resources, the Allen Institute has established the Education and Engagement Program. Cell type taxonomy scientific resources rely on skills spanning neurobiology, genetics, applied math, and computer science, posing challenges for students and professionals, so bringing together these scientist-educators with the scientific team behind cell type resources to produce training and education resources helps overcome a major barrier to entry. The goal of the renewed Scientific and Public Outreach of Cell Type Taxonomies (SPOCTT) initiative is to expand our already impactful training and education efforts, making these public resources more widely accessible to general and scientific communities. Our program operates by combining consolidation, collaboration, training, education, and outreach efforts, the tactics of which are informed by the successes and lessons learned to date. This renewal will expand our structured approach to increase awareness among prospective users, utility for existing users, and opportunities for educators and students. The comprehensive content includes both inputs (e.g., data generation) and outputs (e.g., public tools) surrounding cell type taxonomies. By offering both scalable training resources and personalized support to prospective users, we will (1) promote use of BKE software, taxonomies, and other tools; (2) set BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN) and Allen Institute cell types as scientific standards in health and disease; and (3) equip both educators and scientists to bring the Allen Institute’s resources to a younger and more diverse neuroscience community.
