The first Cell Atlas for the human Thymus

Scientists have composed a complete map of the cells in the developing human thymus. They identified more than 50 different cell states in the human thymus which dynamically change in abundance during life. For the first time, scientists from the VIB Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent University, The Wellcome Sanger Institute (UK), and Newcastle University (UK) have composed a complete map of the cells in the developing human thymus. This novel approach with single cell resolution allowed them to identify more than 50 different cell states in the human thymus which dynamically change in abundance during life. A collaboration to map the vital thymus. The thymus is a vital organ for the establishment of the immune system. Its main function is to support the maturation of T cells, which are essential white blood cells and part of the adaptive immune system that protects us from infections and tumor cells.