🧬 Using single-cell RNA sequencing and a functional neurotransmitter receptor screening, we found tumor cells express receptors for multiple neurotransmitters. This allows them to receive signals from many different types of neurons. 7/15

⚡️ The timeline surprised us: Tumor cells formed functional connections with neurons very quickly with neurons within hours in culture and just days in the brain- much earlier than previously known and expected. 4/15

🔬 Our approach used the infection of tumor cells with a modified rabies virus that can only jump once to a directly connected neuron. When a neuron connects to a tumor cell, it lights up, creating a precise map of their connectome. 3/15

🧪 How do brain tumors communicate with neurons? We developed a tracing system using modified rabies viruses to map these connections across the entire brain, revealing unexpected complexity. 2/15

🧬 Using single-cell RNA sequencing and a functional neurotransmitter receptor screening, we found tumor cells express receptors for multiple neurotransmitters. This allows them to receive signals from many different types of neurons. 7/15

⚡️ The timeline surprised us: Tumor cells formed functional connections with neurons very quickly with neurons within hours in culture and just days in the brain- much earlier than previously known and expected. 4/15

🔬 Our approach used the infection of tumor cells with a modified rabies virus that can only jump once to a directly connected neuron. When a neuron connects to a tumor cell, it lights up, creating a precise map of their connectome. 3/15

🧪 How do brain tumors communicate with neurons? We developed a tracing system using modified rabies viruses to map these connections across the entire brain, revealing unexpected complexity. 2/15