Holly Barker is a freelance writer specializing in biology, medicine and psychology. She has a Ph.D. in clinical neuroscience from King’s College London in the United Kingdom and a B.Sc. degree in biochemistry from the University of Manchester. She has previously written for Discover and BioNews. She is based in London.
Holly Barker
Contributing writer
From this contributor
Polarized cortical organoids mimic the brain’s regional organization
The organoids show region-specific gene-expression changes that match those observed during fetal development.
Polarized cortical organoids mimic the brain’s regional organization
By
Holly Barker
24 September 2026 | 4 min read
Neuropsychiatric MRI brain signatures fail reproducibility test
Small neuroimaging studies are unlikely to capture consistent anatomical changes related to conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and mood disorders, according to a new “wake-up call” study.
Neuropsychiatric MRI brain signatures fail reproducibility test
By
Holly Barker
12 August 2026 | 5 min read
Cortical territories compete in developmental space race
Sensory and association regions are established through a reciprocal process, according to a new model of cortical development.
Cortical territories compete in developmental space race
By
Holly Barker
30 July 2026 | 5 min read
Diverse autism genes derail common developmental pathways
Multiple genetic mouse models initially show delayed cortical development, but the animals’ molecular trajectories diverge within weeks after birth, a new study finds.
Diverse autism genes derail common developmental pathways
By
Holly Barker
8 July 2026 | 5 min read
‘Push-pull’ recipe for neural wiring used in multiple brain regions
A versatile pair of proteins steers neurons toward their targets and helps establish the brain’s sensory maps, new studies suggest.
‘Push-pull’ recipe for neural wiring used in multiple brain regions
By
Holly Barker
5 June 2026 | 5 min read
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Grant review needs reform. How about we add an element of chance?
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Grant review needs reform. How about we add an element of chance?
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25 September 2026 | 6 min read
Fly neurons carry molecular signatures of their origins
The pattern of transcription factors a Drosophila neuron expresses offers clues to its lineage and birth order—and ultimately how neural circuits emerge.
Fly neurons carry molecular signatures of their origins
The pattern of transcription factors a Drosophila neuron expresses offers clues to its lineage and birth order—and ultimately how neural circuits emerge.
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25 September 2026 | 5 min read
Prefrontal cortex has three transcriptomic acts across human lifespan, new atlas suggests
Various genes show distinct exits and entrances with age in the open-source dataset, the largest of its kind to date.
Prefrontal cortex has three transcriptomic acts across human lifespan, new atlas suggests
Various genes show distinct exits and entrances with age in the open-source dataset, the largest of its kind to date.
By
Siddhant Pusdekar
23 September 2026 | 5 min read