Novel molecular tools for cellular- and subcellular-targeting of neuronal transgene expression

Abstract

Among the questions addressed by modern neuroscience is how distinct cellular structures within the nervous system give rise to particular behaviours and cognitive functions. Our ability to address such questions has been greatly enhanced with the emergence of ‘transgenic’ technologies, which allow the introduction of foreign or engineered genes into biological systems of interest, such as neural circuits. This capacity to introduce and express transgenes in neurons has led to the development of a diverse catalogue of genetically encoded markers, sensors, and actuators, which provide powerful insights into the structure and function of the nervous system. In addition to their intrinsic utili..