Webinar: Investigating Hallmarks of Senescence in the Aging Brain Using a Novel RNA-Protein Multiomic Co-Detection Assay

In this presentation from the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Neuroscience 2024 meeting, we explore brain development and aging, focusing on progenitor stem cells and overcoming challenges in detecting aging biomarkers.

Early development sees progenitor stem cells differentiating into neurons and glial cells, crucial for learning and memory. Aging, however, involves synaptic pruning, reduced neurogenesis, and increased oxidative stress, leading to cognitive decline.

Using the spatial RNAscope™ Multiomic LS assay that provides single-cell resolution with an automated workflow on a Leica BOND Rx instrument, we visualized RNA and protein markers in hippocampal sections of young and aged mice. This assay tracked neurogenesis and identified aging hallmarks, offering insights into the hippocampal microenvironment, senescence in the aging brain, and potential biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases.

Key topics covered include:

• Tracking neurogenesis using RNA probes for progenitor stem cell stages, such as Ascl1 (radial glial cells), Calb2 (neuroblasts), Top2a (proliferation), and Prox1 (granule cell marker)
• Identifying senescence (cdkn2a, cdkn2c) and immune activation markers (Tnfa), along with cell profiling antibodies  - NeuN (Neurons), IBA1 (microglia), and GFAP (astrocytes) - in mouse hippocampal tissue
• Characterizing aging hallmarks in the brain by analyzing the co-expression of RNA and protein markers, revealing distinct differences between young and old mouse brains

Speaker

Debia Wakhloo, PhD
Application Scientist, Bio-Techne