Singapore scientists have made a breakthrough that could lead to a better understanding of many neurodegenerative and inflammatory brain disorders, the country's Agency of Science, Technology and Research(A*STAR) said on Wednesday.

The team of scientists of the Singapore Immunology Network ( SIgN) of A*STAR uncovered the origins of microglia, which are white blood cells specific to the brain. They also found that, in mice, microglia had a completely different origin than other white blood cells.

This understanding may lead to the development of new strategies to manipulate microglia for the treatment of various brain disorders.

Microglia have been found responsible for many neurodegenerative and inflammatory brain disorders, underscoring the need to study and understand these cells.

The team is the first to show that microglia, unlike other white blood cells, are derived from a particular structure in the mouse embryo,implying that microglia may have specific functional properties not shared by other white blood cells.

In addition, the team is also the first to directly visualize how microglia develop in the brain.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet