On January 4, 2025, the list of Top 10 Sci-Tech Innovations in Hainan was released. Among the selected achievements was the mapping of 3D brain regions and stereotaxic atlases of mice, accomplished by a research team led by Professor Luo Qingming, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of HNU.
The work resulted in accurate mapping at an isotropic resolution of 1 μm and established comprehensive 3D visual atlases of the mouse brain, which provides a key technical tool for brain science research. The related findings were published in Nature on July 2, 2025.
Within the atlas, the team identified 916 brain regions, including 236 previously unrecognized sub-regions that have now been named. This further unveils the intricate neural connectivity networks inside the brain, holding significant value for understanding normal brain function and the mechanisms underlying brain-related diseases.
As the project lead, Luo has long been dedicated to brain imaging and atlas research. Leveraging his background in physics, he has driven integrated innovation in key technologies such as micro-optical imaging, ultra-thin continuous sectioning, and 3D reconstruction. Under his guidance, a high-stability, precision imaging system suitable for intact brain analysis was established, solving technical difficulties related to the continuous acquisition and precise localization of neuronal structures across the entire brain.
The selection was jointly organized by the Hainan Provincial Department of Science and Technology and HICN. Thirty events were shortlisted from the many Hainan sci-tech developments reported in 2025, based on the level of public attention they attracted. The final list was determined through a collaborative vote involving representatives from local research institutes, universities, tech enterprises, news outlets, as well as relevant provincial departments including the Hainan Development and Reform Commission and the Hainan Department of Industry and Information Technology, along with the Hainan Association for Science and Technology.
Translated by Ye Kechen
Proofread by Feng Jun
