Ana Burgos

Ageing

#TenaLab @cabd-upo-csic.bsky.social ‪@anaburgos.bsky.social‬ (Killifish/ scRNAseq/ Aging) 
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.24.645095

Special Topics

@aburger2009.bsky.social (Data Reporting/ Metadata/ AI)
https://osf.io/preprints/osf/kvn2x (27/34)

@obog.bsky.social @anaburgos.bsky.social‬ (Spermatogenesis/ Multiomics/ Epigenetics)
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.12.642371 (21/34)

Neotenic transcriptomic features in the adult turquoise killifish brain https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.24.645095v1

For even more in-depth analyses, check out our preprint! A huge thank you to all who worked on this project— @gndc.bsky.social @jlopezrios.bsky.social #silvianaranjo #vallehernandez #juanjtena #martamoreno #anafernandezmiñan #lorenaardila #alejandrodelosreyes

While killifish is a powerful model for studying aging, extrapolating results to mammals should be done cautiously. Nonetheless, its neotenic brain traits might help identify promising targets for regenerative or anti-aging therapies. 8/9

In vertebrates, embryos typically show higher cell proliferation rates compared to adults. Our results suggest that the neotenic traits we observed in the adult killifish brain could support rapid growth and/or help mitigate challenges associated with its high metabolic rate. 7/9

To test if embryonic gene expression in adult killifish brains is incidental or a broader trend, we compared our data to zebrafish single-cell profiles from adult brains and embryos. Remarkably, killifish brains aligned more with embryonic profiles. 6/9

Our findings are further supported by the identification of primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC), present in all 7 single-cell adult samples, along with primitive erythrocytes expressing embryonic hemoglobin genes. 5/9

Surprisingly, we found a fascinating feature: evidence of primitive hematopoiesis in the adult killifish brain. We identified stromal cell clusters (EC & Mural runx1⁺) with mixed hemangioblast/hemogenic traits—similar to rapid transitions observed in embryonic zebrafish. 4/9

We used single-cell RNA-seq to profile brain samples from killifish across their entire adult lifespan—from young adulthood to old age—in both males and females, with the goal of understanding how aging unfolds in the brain. 3/9

Killifish is one of the shortest-lived vertebrates on Earth. It inhabits seasonal ponds and has evolved to grow, reproduce, and age within just a few months. Due to its rapid life cycle, it is now widely used as a model to study aging and lifespan regulation in real time. 2/9

Can adult brains retain embryonic traits? Our latest work reports neotenic transcriptomic features in the adult turquoise killifish brain—suggesting that some embryonic programs remain active throughout life. 1/9 🧠🐟👇
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Finally, big thanks to everyone involved in this project, your contributions were essential in making this research possible: Fan-Suo G, Gala P, Thirsa B, Estefanía S, María Almuedo, Juan J Tena, @obog.bsky.social @aruizherrera.bsky.social @ageinves.bsky.social @cabd-upo-csic.bsky.social and others

In elongated spermatids, despite chromatin compaction and transcriptional silencing, thousands of sites remain accessible which coincide with CpG islands and which might be retained intergenerationally to aid with early developmental processes in the next generation. 6/7

What about chromatin? scATAC-seq show local and global remodeling. We identify thousands of locus-specific events and track chromatin accessibility rising during spermatogonial differentiation, peaking in spermatocytes, and dropping in spermatids, paralleling txn shutdown. 5/7

Our WGBS data reveal a stable 5mCG landscape across spermatogenesis. However, we detected ~4000 localized changes in spermatocytes that coincide with CpG islands and that might reflect structural or gene-regulatory events associated with these cells. 4/7

Next, we wanted to know which genes drive the transformation of spermatogonial cells into mature sperm. Using pseudotime analysis methods, we mapped their differentiation paths and identified ~160 key gene drivers, helping to decode the molecular blueprint of spermatogenesis. 3/7

Using single-cell omics (scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq) and WGBS from sorted germ cell populations we mapped the entire journey! Our scRNA-seq data reveal diverse populations ranging from undifferentiated spermatogonia to elongated spermatids. 2/7

A single-cell multiomics roadmap of zebrafish spermatogenesis reveals regulatory principles of male germline formation Spermatogenesis is the biological process by which male sperm cells (spermatozoa) are produced in the testes. Beyond facilitating the transmission of genetic information, spermatogenesis also provides...

Ever wondered how sperm are formed? Spermatogenesis is a microscopic marathon that starts in the testes and ends with fully functional sperm! Our new preprint bitly.cx/jC4Qg takes a deep dive into zebrafish spermatogenesis, mapping out every fascinating step. 🧵👇 1/7

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