Progenitor cell diversity in the developing mouse neocortex

In the mammalian neocortex, diverse projection neuron types are generated by the same pool of neural progenitors in sequential waves. How neuronal cell type specification is related to developmental timing remains unclear. To determine whether neural progenitor cell heterogeneity correlates with neuronal type specification, we performed single cell RNA sequencing analysis of the developing mouse neocortex (E10.5 through E18.5) by Drop-Seq. We uncovered cellular and molecular diversity among neuroepithelial cells, radial glial cells, intermediate progenitors and neuron types. Dorsal forebrain tissues were collected from embryonic day 10.5, 12.5, 14.5, 15.5, 16.5 and 18.5 CD-1 mice (Charles River), dissociated into single cells, captured by the Drop-Seq protocol and analyzed for cell clusters and differential gene expression.