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Single neuron labeling and genetic manipulation

Nature Neuroscience volume 4, pages 1158–1159 (2001)Cite this article

Those who have observed brain sections stained by the Golgi method would agree with Ramon y Cajal1: “What an unexpected sight!...everything is simple, clear and unconfused. There is no longer any question of interpretation.” The Golgi method labels a very small population of random neurons in their entirety in an otherwise unstained brain, allowing visualization of dendritic trees of individual neurons and tracing of long distance axonal projections1. It is difficult to overestimate the enormous contribution this method has brought to neuroscience.

Now imagine that one can use genetic manipulation to create, at will, singly-labeled neurons in intact brain tissue or in vivo, and moreover, knock out endogenous genes in only these labeled neurons. This will help us to assess the functions of genes in single clearly labeled neurons, increasing the power of phenotypic detection; avoid pleiotropic effects of genes by focusing on the tissue and developmental stages of interest; and determine cell-autonomy of gene action. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that ensure the elaborate connection and function of the nervous system can then be dissected with single neuron resolution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, California, USA

    Liqun Luo & Hui Zong

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  1. Liqun Luo
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  2. Hui Zong
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Luo, L., Zong, H. Single neuron labeling and genetic manipulation. Nat Neurosci 4 (Suppl 11), 1158–1159 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1101-1158

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