A modular analysis of microglia gene expression, insights into the aged phenotype

Background Microglia are multifunctional cells that are key players in brain development and homeostasis. Recent years have seen tremendous growth in our understanding of the role microglia play in neurodegeneration, CNS injury, and developmental disorders. Given that microglia show diverse functional phenotypes, there is a need for more precise tools to characterize microglial states. Here, we experimentally define gene modules as the foundation for describing microglial functional states.