Transcriptomic analysis in the cerebellum: tackling the heterogeneity of astrocytes in the adult mouse brain

While our knowledge on cerebellar circuits and functions deepened in the last years, this advancement has not still been mirrored by a more in depth understanding of cerebellar astrocytes, one of the main cerebellar constituents. In this thesis, transcriptomic heterogeneity across cerebellar astrocytes in mice was assessed through bioinformatic analyses of their gene expression. These revealed a correspondence between subtypes' distinct morphologies and differences across their transcriptional profiles. Functional properties of the astrocyte subtypes were inferred showing functional specialization comprising metabolic support, synapse dynamics modulation and nervous system immune surveillance in the identified astrocyte communities. The outcome of these functional inferences were congruent with spatial localization of subtypes and precedently known roles of Bergmann Glia, the most studied subtype. The results of these computational analyses will complement currently ongoing corresponding analyses at developmental times and will help the design of future functional and comparative studies.